Perhaps a good way to start this commentary series is to focus on what we should NOT be praying about. John makes it clear from scripture we shouldn't pray about a sin leading to death ( 1 John 5:16). Paul sort of expands on that when expelling a brother when he says that: To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. ( 1 Cor. 5:5). These verses show that we indeed should desire a person returns to fellowship as the man did who committed the heinous sin of sleeping with his father's wife ( 2 Corinthians 2:7-8); which I assume the verse on restoration is referring to from 1 Corinthians.
Now the 10000 dollar question is what sin leads to death; clearly the result of all sins is death; but we could say someone who murders someone could qualify for that particular sin. Or in the above verses we should pray that through God's discipline someone repents not pray for them to be restored before repenting; or seek somehow to circumvent God's clear instructions not to fellowship with those who proclaim Christ but live i willful lifestyles of sin We see in 1 Corinthians 5:11 that particular instruction.
I think from these verses there are proper times when we should pray for conviction of sin; and that applies to a professed Christian who is either lapsing in sin or has progressed or never removed themselves from such a lifestyle but our approach is different. The nonbeliever MUST be convicted as John 16:8 states so that sin; righteousness and judgment to come are paramount in their fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom. ( Proverbs 9:10).
Too many people seem to think that rebuke and prayers for conviction and lovingkindness; mercy and compassion are mutually exclusive. We need only to look at Christ to see how both exist; with more warnings of hell than statements about heaven; and yet sacrificing His life throughout his earthly ministry and atoning death.
Perhaps a good way to start this commentary series is to focus on what we should NOT be praying about. John makes it clear from scripture we shouldn't pray about a sin leading to death ( 1 John 5:16). Paul sort of expands on that when expelling a brother when he says that: To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. ( 1 Cor. 5:5). These verses show that we indeed should desire a person returns to fellowship as the man did who committed the heinous sin of sleeping with his father's wife ( 2 Corinthians 2:7-8); which I assume the verse on restoration is referring to from 1 Corinthians.
Now the 10000 dollar question is what sin leads to death; clearly the result of all sins is death; but we could say someone who murders someone could qualify for that particular sin. Or in the above verses we should pray that through God's discipline someone repents not pray for them to be restored before repenting; or seek somehow to circumvent God's clear instructions not to fellowship with those who proclaim Christ but live i willful lifestyles of sin We see in 1 Corinthians 5:11 that particular instruction.
I think from these verses there are proper times when we should pray for conviction of sin; and that applies to a professed Christian who is either lapsing in sin or has progressed or never removed themselves from such a lifestyle but our approach is different. The nonbeliever MUST be convicted as John 16:8 states so that sin; righteousness and judgment to come are paramount in their fear of God that is the beginning of wisdom. ( Proverbs 9:10).
Too many people seem to think that rebuke and prayers for conviction and lovingkindness; mercy and compassion are mutually exclusive. We need only to look at Christ to see how both exist; with more warnings of hell than statements about heaven; and yet sacrificing His life throughout his earthly ministry and atoning death.
This comment thread is locked. Please enter a new comment below to start a new comment thread.
Note: Comment threads older than 2 months are automatically locked.
Do you have a Bible comment or question?
Posting comments is currently unavailable due to high demand on the server.
Please check back in an hour or more. Thank you for your patience!
Report Comment
Which best represents the problem with the comment?