16 If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask and God will for him give life to those who commit sin not leading to death. There is a sin leading to death; I do not say that he should make request for this. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, and there is a sin not leading to death. (1 John 5:16–17)
We cannot know man’s eternal destiny, but we can view what he does outwardly. If a man mocks God and spews out all kinds of venom toward Him, it is obvious that, if this man is still alive, he won’t be for long, especially compared to the length of eternity. For example, the other thief on the cross.
One of the criminals who were hanged there was hurling abuse at Him, saying, “Are You not the Christ? Save Yourself and us!” (Luke 23:39)
Now, if an avowed believer sins overtly in a way that can be biblically classified as “not leading to death,” we still fear the temporal judgment he or she faces, but not eternal separation from God. We experience grief that what appeared to be shiny on the surface was “fraudulent” beneath the thin veneer. A good example of this kind of sin is that of Peter’s denial of Jesus in the courtyard. Afterwards, he was one tortured soul. All of us have this capability, of screwing up royally!
31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31–32)
Here’s how we might follow John’s guidelines using Peter’s example. Since Jesus was all-knowing, he could see Peter sinning, and he could see him regretful and repenting. What we learn from this example is that we must pray for repentance (seen above in the words “turned again”) so that, like the Lord, we can extend grace and usher that soul into His good graces again.
But generally, judging others in terms of what is seen according to biblical standards is a tricky business. We may be close enough to investigate and interrogate, but it’s rare to be that close. We end up observing and reaching our own conclusions, well founded or not, perhaps wagging our heads, and depending on our personality type, writing that person off. I’d say the operative principle should be to extend the benefit of the doubt until absolutely proven otherwise.
Comparatively, the Apostle John, a “son of thunder,” did not cower in the courtyard in that same moment, but trailed Jesus. He might even have been “ticked” at Peter for not accompanying him. Let’s face it, Peter had a bad night with a lot at stake, as we all do. Who knows if John confronted Peter when they were back together again (John 20:4), but this we know, at the first available opportunity, the Lord did just that, helping Peter “turn again.”
“The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” (Luke 24:34)
Returning to John’s first letter, this passage seems to teach that outside of outright, downright blasphemy, we need to pray for perpetrators of sin, that they will come back to their senses and give glory to God. The context of 1 John is that they were dealing with Gnostics, and some who initially appeared to be aligned with Jesus had wandered off the reservation. In these cases, it would be entirely appropriate and our responsibility to pray that God would change their minds about their sin. Only God can do this.
But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. (Galatians 2:11)
Whatever the case, whether we dramatically confront like Paul did in the power of the Holy Spirit, or observe prayerfully from the sidelines, we should examine our own hearts and minds, fully acknowledging this truism, “there but for the grace of God go I!”
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