Originally posted by Briguy:
Just quickly, There are a couple things on james 5: 19 and 20. I was looking for a deep answer on these verses when the answer was right there. The audience of James, a jewish man were other jewish folks, many but not all of whom were saved. V. 19 and 20 simply say what they say. If there was any of his audience that were not saved the others had an obligation to try and convert him and save his soul from death. The rendering of the the verse can be tricky to read. If you err from the truth it does not mean you had the truth it means you do not have the truth. In other words "when it comes to the truth you my friend are in error". There are some other aspects to this but I believe that is enough to get rid of these verses as proof against OSAS.
In Christ,
Brian
You admit the rendering of these verses can be tricky. Are you basically saying, "These verses don't really mean what they say?"
Take a closer look.
James 5:7 Be
patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord... 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand...11 we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
12But above all,
my brothers, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or by any other oath, but let your "yes" be yes and your "no" be no, so that you may not fall under condemnation. 13Is anyone
among you suffering? Let him pray. Is
anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone
among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the
church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And
if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore, confess your sins to
one another and pray for
one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
19My
brothers, if anyone
among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
How would it be possible to bring back a sinner? Bring back to what? The truth from which they wandered.
The "among you" is certainly among the christians. Yes, they were jewish christian. James addressed the book to spiritual Israel, or the twelve tribes that were scattered abroad.
Later in verse 12 of chapter 1, he says, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him."
What happens if he doesn't remain steadfast? If he does, what is his reward? He is talking to Christians.
James time and time again refers to his brothers and "any among you".
Even if you say many were saved but not all, that does not help your cause. Just think about that for a second. James did not limit his statement to the unsaved, but to anyone among you.
He says "My brothers,
if anyone among you wanders". How could the anyone only apply to the "unsaved"? Do you really think he meant, "My non brothers who are unsaved, if anyone of you unsaved Jews wanders from the truth, and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
Brings back to what, if his original condition was an unsaved Jew?
Read all of James and try to fit, unsaved Jew, where ever he is talking to them, and see how that fits. Then, go back, and insert Christian, and see how that fits.
Without any agendas, forget all you know about the bible and read the book of James. What is James trying to tell us? James does not contradict any other book. What you read will be in perfect harmony with the rest of scripture.