I understand what 1 John 5:16 means. Follow the next two verses as contextually. 1 John 5:18 says, "We know that whoseover is born of God 'sinneth not', but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not."
The three epistles of John were written to believers, not lost people. He told them, those who are truly born of God do not practically sin life. Throughout in three epistles of John mentioned lot about our walk life and having relationship with Christ.
In 1 John 3:6 says, "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth noth: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him."
This verse tells us, anyone who is abiding in Christ, do not practical sinning life. If anyone do practical wicked life, have no relationship in Christ.
Many who hold OSAS, argued, many people who attend baptist church, claim, they are saved, but they still sinning daily, so, they(OSAS people) say that, they are "not saved in the first place."
This is a poor arguement.
In 1 John 2:19, John said: "They went out FROM us, but they were not of us, for IF they had been of us, they would no doubt have CONTINUED with us, but they WENT OUT, that they might be made manifest that they were not ALL of us."
This verse tells us, they were with John's group at the beginning, they went out FROM his group. They could have been with them, if they have continued in Christ. But, they astrsy away from the Lord, so, they are no longer 'born of God' afterward.
1 John 3:9 - "Whosoever is born of God DOTH NOT COMMIT SIN; for his seed remaineth in him and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."
'Commit' means being to entrust, for example, a person who is do attempt anything wrong things, be being be serious with sins, want to stay in sins. This verse tells us, a person who is a truly 'born of God' do not do practical sin life, his seed is remaining in Christ while his seed is growing like as carry fruit of spiritual life, so therefore, person cannot continue sin in life, because person is belongs to God.
It doesn't mean that our life must be perfect and sinless. This verse point to us, that we must stop practical sin life. Do not continue walk in sins, because we are in Christ, while we are bring our fruit for Christ.
OR, if we are serious stay in practical sins throughout our life since we were born again, then, our fruit is no longer to carry, our fruit would be cut off - John 15:6 & Romans 11:22-23.
In James 1:15-16 warn: "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. DO NOT ERR, my beloeved brethren."
James warns us, we do not continue in sins in our life, if we continue in sinning, it shall bring forth to death.
'Death' is not speak of physical death, it speaks of spiritual death. Where 'death' will lead person to? Lake of fire, this is called, "second DEATH".
Ezekiel 33:18 warns: "When the 'righteous' turneth FROM his righteousness, and committeth iniquity, he shall eve DIE thereby."
This means that, if a just person(saved) turn away from righteousness life, and remaining in sins in the midst of lifetime, it shall bring forth to death. 'Die' is not speak of physical death, it speaks of spiritual death which represents, "second death" - lake of fire.
There are much overwhelmed passages in the Bible mentioned on conditionals with warnings. No way that, we can afford to neglect God's Word.
James 5:20 - "Let him(brother) know, that he which converteth from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins."
This tells us, our responsible to warn them of sins, telling them to repent from sins, to save their soul from death, which is "second death".
Verse 20 is not only speak on sinners, even, James 5:19 says, "BRETHREN, if any of YOU do err from teh truth, and one convert him,"
This verse 19 tells us, if you see a Christian, who fall away in sins, we must encourage or to warn a Christian, that, he/she must repent from the error ways, to be right with the Lord. Or, if we allow Christians fall away, not warn them, then, we allow them leading to their death, which is 'second death'.
Bible commands us to warn Christians do not commit sins, to save their soul from death. If we don't warn them, then they would be remain in multitude of sins, and bring them to death - second death.
There is much overwhelmed passages in Bible mentioned conditional with warnings, we cannot afford neglect God's Word. We must take God's Word and obey them.
In Christ
Rev. 22:20 -Amen!
