James 5:19-20—In closing: Concerning those who have strayed
My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 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. James 5:19-20
- A believer is capable of straying from the truth.
- Other believers have the capacity to turn him back to the truth.
- The reward is in the knowing:
- If you turn someone from error, you will save his soul from death.
- You will cover a multitude of sins.
A believer is capable of straying from the truth. The bulk of James’ letter deals with the straying capacity of believers. On one hand, his letter is a warning to avoid detrimental lifestyle choices, and on the other, it is a corrective rebuke to those who have already entangled themselves in carnality. Because of this, I think of the book of James as a reality check.
Other believers have the capacity to turn straying ones back to the truth. Much of this letter deals with the tongue. The capacity to slip with the tongue seems to be the greatest area of vulnerability among believers. Therefore, James closes his letter by reminding his readers of the correct stance to take concerning those who have strayed from the truth: Seek to turn them back. Don’t spin your wheels by incessantly analyzing their falls and flaws with others; go to God and seek Him for their restoration. Make it your mission to win them back through prayer and godly behavior and words.
Don’t let it be said that you preferred dissecting your brethren to seeking their deliverance.
The reward is in the knowing. Let your greatest reward be this: Knowing that by your love, prayer, and self-restraint someone was restored to fellowship with Jesus. Knowing that someone is now blessed and living for Christ because of your prayers and refusal to belittle, bemoan, or besmirch them when they behaved badly is reward in itself.
…he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death…
Instead of broadcasting his error, you sought the Lord so he would turn from his error. And you obeyed God as you interacted with this one. As a result, he did not run further away from the Lord but was wooed and won back to Him by your steadfast, loving presentation of the Truth—demonstrated by both your words and your deeds. Because of your caring involvement, he has been spared devastating loss on that Day.
…and will cover a multitude of sins.
Though his sins stacked up like a pile of rotting carcasses, by of your gracious intervention, those sins have been covered. They no longer weigh him down or pollute the very atmosphere around him. They are buried and are no longer attached to him—or to his account.
It is fitting that James ended such a corrective letter in this way. As he closed, he refocused his brethren, ensuring that they would make adjustments among themselves with clean hearts and right motives.
I pray we embrace the wisdom in this short letter and be empowered to walk in it before the Lord for the rest of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Dorothy
Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27