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James or not?

Review the last couple of months, put away your Bibles. Are these quotes from James or from somewhere else?

The New International Version Chapter 1

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,j who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you

The New International Version Chapter 1

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,j who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.

The New International Version Chapter 1

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God,j who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you

Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus

At first glance, the last two verses seem to be an add-on to the letter

But the more we read the letter, the more we realize they are actually a perfect summary of everything James wrote

Before I read them, let’s remind ourselves of the context

Written by James (likely a half-brother of Jesus) in the middle of the first century (one of the first NT books)

Written to followers of Jesus who were scattered beyond Jerusalem

Main themes are holy living and perseverance

The New International Version Chapter 5

19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truthw and someone should bring that person back,x 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will savey them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.z

The New International Version Chapter 5

19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truthw and someone should bring that person back,x 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will savey them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.z

My brothers, if anyone among you 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.

Raven Lake

Five Key Phrases

Five Key Phrases

“Wanders from the truth”

The truth is something to be lived out, as described throughout James

Common theme in the NT (cf ; ; ; )

Remaining loyal / faithful requires constant effort and attention (cf training plan for a ultra marathon)

Note that James says “if one of you wanders”

“someone brings him back”

Similar idea ;

James is not talking about “conversion”, but instead, a person of faith who needs to come back.

“a sinner from his wandering (error)”

“a sinner from his wandering (error)”

Whereas the wanderer is a verb “one who wanders”, here it is a compound noun “the errors of his way”. It is a “thing” that can be left behind.

We’ll talk more about this a few minutes, but what are the “things” in your life that you need to leave behind?

“save his soul from death”

;

eternal spiritual death

“sozo” is a common theme in James, referring to both physical and spiritual healing/saving

“cover a multitude of sins”

; ; ;

A reference to forgiveness

Wood Wide Web

A forest is a community (not a competition of trees)

Wood Wide Web

Followers of Jesus are a community (wanderers and bringers together - we help, resource, support, etc wherever necessary, not just for the sake of the individual, but also for the community)

Am I ...

… a wanderer myself

I am aware of my own wandering? What might wandering look like? James is full of examples:

I talk faith, but I don’t live it

I play favourites

My words hurt others (cf David’s earlier challenge to “speak life”)

I’m not an active peacemaker

I’m self-sufficient and/or proud

… seeing someone who is wandering

… actively bringing back someone who is wandering