James 5: 19-20
(19) My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,
James is talking to his brothers and sisters in the Lord, fellow believers. He says that if a fellow believer strays from the truth; this is someone who purports to be a Christian, but leaves the truth that Jesus died for each of us. This is the basic truth that causes us to be Christians, having the relationship with God that He wants with us. In other words, he just has a religion, no more saving than any other religion.
(20) let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
The one who is able to teach him how Jesus fulfilled the personal sacrifice as the Lamb of God for each of us individually, then was resurrected from death in the grave (the Gospel), then that person will be the means for God to save the sinner from eternal death (his soul), and will cover and wash away all his sins in the blood shed and splattered on the sides of the cross.
This sinner who had been deceived will then turn to God for cleansing and salvation, and will be born into God's family.
Then he also will be a true Christian, a brother or sister in Christ, not just a person who has a religion.
O my Father, please help us to see one another as You see us. Whenever there are any in the congregation of our assembly who don't realize Your truth, show us how to share with them how to be born spiritually.
Teach us how to share with everyone who does not know You yet, the words and concepts to speak to each one, that they would understand clearly and be able to turn to You in repentance and faith.
Father, You are not willing for any to perish, because You have made mankind to be Your children. Please send us out to find every lost sheep that has gotten tangled up in brambles, or trapped in a pit of deception. Show us how to deal with each one, to rescue them and draw them into that one fold with one Shepherd.
O Father, let us share with the whole world how much You love them, and have already done everything we need for us, that we are unable to do for ourselves. Let every living person hear to understand clearly, and make an informed choice to turn toward or away from You.
And no one will have any excuse! Every eye shall see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King and Judge over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
