PRAYING FOR THE SALVATION OF THE UNCONSCIOUS SICK OR THE DISTANT SICK PERSON. (PART 4).
TEXT:
"If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death." (1st John 5 verses 16 to 17, King James Version).
It has been said that life is spiritual and that is no lie. Truth is, everything is spiritual, whether it's salvation, sin, forgiveness of sins, prayer, healing, consciousness or distance and what have you. Like I said previously, until you know this, the tendency is there for you to be short-changed when it comes to your understanding and ability to function effectively in the realm of the spirit.
We noted in part 1 to this series, for instance, that distance meant nothing to the Lord Jesus when He was here on earth. At His Word, the servant of the Centurion that was sick at a far away distance was healed (Matthew 8 verses 5 to 13). So also was the daughter of the Syrophoenician woman in the Book of Mark chapter 7 verses 25 to 30). She was delivered from demonic oppression at a distance. This is because matters like forgiveness of sins, healing or salvation, etc are spiritual and can be accessed through prayer. In addition, we had noted that the power and the effectiveness of prayer transcends physical inhibitions like loss of consciousness, distance or what have you.
Have you ever led souls to Christ at a distance, probably using the phone, the print or the social media, etc? We all at one point or the other have done this and have recorded some good measure of success doing so. Now, if the Lord heard us at such times and He saved souls, what makes us think that asking for the forgiveness of sins for an unconscious or distant sick person is out of place, more so as there's ample assurance from the Lord that He will hear us as we ask Him? (see 1st John 5 verses 14 and 16)
1st John 5 verses 16 to 17, the Scriptures under consideration says as follows:
"If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death."
As availing and beneficial as these verses of Scripture are, they are applicable only when certain conditions are met. For instance, the one to be prayed for has to be a believer in Christ. Besides, there can only be forgiveness for sins that are not unto death. In other words, there's no forgiveness for what we call the unpardonable sin. In as much as the Lord is amply disposed to forgiving the sins of men, this particular sin is unpardonable. But what is this sin that God cannot forgive and under what circumstances can it be committed?
In the coming part, we shall examine in detail these conditions as the Lord tarries and as He shall permit us to do.
Meanwhile, merry Christmas in advance to you!
PRAYER:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me the privilege to reconcile the lost to You, even at dire and critical moments of their lives, in Jesus name.