Sin Leading Unto Death

If there was a crime worthy of death, what would it be? Would it be murder, rape, spouse abuse, adultery, theft, gambling, or perhaps lying? Many of us would say that murder is worthy of the death penalty; and if any of us had a child that were raped, we would probably believe the person who committed the crime should be hunted down and shot. We might feel that treason is a crime worthy of death; however, I would dare say that most of us would never suggest a person die for something like lying.

In a moral society the things I just mentioned are called “crimes,” and in a religious society they are called “sins.” We usually rank crimes and sins by their degree of severity. Some are deemed worthy of minor punishment, while some are so horrendous we feel as though they’re punishable by death. The Bible tells us that there is one sin that is indeed worthy of death, and it may not be what we expect. In fact, this one sin will exclude us from ever going to heaven and receiving eternal life. So, what is this sin? Well, let’s find out as I expound upon 1 John 5:16-18:

16 If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death. 18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.

There Is Sin Not Leading unto Death

Let’s begin by looking at verse 16. We’re told here, “If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death.” According to the New Living Translation, this verse says, “If you see a Christian brother or sister sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life.” So, can there be such a thing as a sin that does not lead unto death?

Romans 6:23 clearly states that “the wages of sin is death.” Romans 5:12 tells us, “Through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned,” and then we read in James 1:15 of how “sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” From the verses I just shared with you, we can see that sin leads unto death, and what’s being referred to is a “spiritual death,” which is eternal separation from God and never-ending torment.

However, in our main passage, we read in verse 16, that there is “a sin which does not lead to death,” and verse 17 also states that “there is sin not leading to death.” Verse 17, in the New Living Translation, is rendered with a slight variation, for it states, “Not all sin leads to death.” Is there any way that “a sin” (singular), or “sins” (plural) will not lead unto spiritual death? Well, according to the Scripture there is! “So, how can this be?” you might ask.

The way in which a sin does not lead unto death is for it to be covered by the blood of Jesus Christ. Right? Ephesians 1:7 says, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” In Colossians 1:14, we are told concerning Jesus, “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.” 1 John 1:7 says, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin,” and Revelation 1:5 tells us how “Jesus Christ . . . loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” Our sin doesn’t have to result in spiritual death; and it won’t if it’s covered by the blood of Jesus Christ; however, this does not happen automatically in our life.

Our sins are forgiven through our profession of faith in Jesus as Savior and our confession of sin. 1 John chapter 1, verses 7 and 9 together, tell us that “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin . . . If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved,” meaning, forgiven of your sins. Therefore, sin does not have to lead to death, as long as it’s been confessed and forgiven; therefore, a sin not leading unto death is one that has been forgiven.