James is a rich book and I love the practicality of this friend of Christ. You have probably heard the saying, “Some people are so heavenly minded that they are no earthly good.” Well, you don’t get that with Brother James! His advice is very, very earthly good. And in our passage today, maybe too much so!
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:19, 20
I love to agree with this principle, but don’t want to be a part of seeing it carried out. My brothers. Obviously James is addressing Christians here. That is us. If one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back… Ok. So now we are talking about either a believer who is doing something that they shouldn’t be doing, or an unbeliever who is lead astray. And we are to speak into their life to help bring them back. Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. Whether it is a believer who is following a dangerous path and living their life according to their own way instead of God’s Word, or an unbeliever who needs to know the truth, SOMEONE needs to come alongside and show them the error of their way.
This practical and wise advice is not fun to follow, but it is exactly what we wish for those we love. I have a daughter who sometimes makes bad choices and I wish a friend would step into her life and guide her back. When she won’t listen to me, maybe they can help her to see the error of her ways, because some ways lead to death, and others to a multitude of sins. What I see as a kind and caring friend is the one who comes alongside and brings her back. Likewise, if I am going the wrong way, a true friend will speak truth into my life and help me to have accountability so that I keep short accounts of sin. All of this implies relationship. And that is what we like to call carefronting (versus confronting). It is coming alongside of someone you have a relationship with, and in love, on the basis of that relationship, sharing your concerns and speaking truth into their lives. It isn’t judgemental. It isn’t one generation wagging their finger at another. It isn’t a guilty shaming back onto the path of honour or a preaching of fire and brimstone, but rather an arm around the shoulder, a reminder that you love them and want God’s best in their life, and then speaking the truth in love.
Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his [or her] way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
We don’t get to pick and choose which Scriptures to follow and which ones to shelve because they are hard or uncomfortable. But we can take comfort in this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins. The return is worth the investment.
May God give us His perspective should we be called to come alongside a loved one and help to gently restore them, in love. And may He give us grace and humility when a good and godly friend puts their arm around our shoulder to gently lead us back.
Our song for today is Do Something by Matthew West.