1 John 5:16
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. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it.
What is this sin that leads to death? We will all die of something, and sin is a common reason why we die in general. Just like smoking. If a person smokes most of their life and decides actually to quit, they may still die of the consequences of the sin, like lung cancer. Is this a sin that leads to death? Or is it talking about something completely different here?
The people who John was addressing understood what a sin that led to death meant.
Christians knew that a spiritual Christian did not sin, and if one did deliberately commit a sin that meant death.
(Acts 5:1-11) The Fraud of Ananias and Sapphira
(Hebrews 10:26-31) “If, after we have been given knowledge of the truth, we should deliberately commit any sins, then there is no longer any sacrifice for them. There is left only the dreadful prospect of judgment and of the fiery wrath that is to devour your enemies. --------“
I believe my explanation is very hard for most all people who say they are Christian to accept, because very few are spiritual, and have been given the knowledge of the truth.
My understanding of what makes a Christian is as follows.
It seems that most Christians say they believe the bible is God’s Word. Yet most all Christians only believe the Words that support his or her theology.
Jesus told us who would be his true followers. Understand a follower of Jesus is a Christian. One is not a Christian if he or she does not walk as Jesus walked.
(1 John 2:6) “But if anyone obeys his word, God's loveis truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did”
For those who believe they are Christians and walk as Jesus walked, has Jesus called you out by name? If not then scripture says you are not a Christian, at least not one of Jesus’ followers.
(John 10:1-5)"I tell you the truth, the man who does not enter the sheep pen by the gate, but climbs in by some other way, is a thief and a robber. The man who enters by the gate is the shepherd of his sheep. The watchman opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice.
He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger's voice."