My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. [James 5:19-20 NIV]
These are the closing words from the pen of James the brother of our Lord Jesus. He is demonstrating the same spirit of forgiveness towards 'sinners' as his older brother. The commentaries I have read are not in agreement about who James is speaking about. John MacArthur regards these people as unbelievers who have turned their back on the truth. He says that the actions of the brother who goes after the unbelieving person will save that person from eternal death. If they have never trusted in Christ, even though they had made a profession of faith, they are heading towards an eternity separated from God and exposed to his wrath and judgement. William Macdonald, on the other hand, says that the verse is speaking about Christians who have been overcome with some particular sin. He thinks that James is speaking about believers and if they are restored, they will be saved from physical death (which results from sin).
I tend to agree with John MacArthur in his interpretation. When I look at the Greek word used in this verse, I find it implies a turning around or 'conversion.' "If one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back." The same word is used in Mark 5:30 when Jesus is described as 'turning around.' There was a huge crowd around Jesus and this woman who was chronically ill pushed her way through the crowd and touched Jesus' cloak. She was immediately cured. But it says that Jesus turned around in the crowd. Twice in the book of the Acts, we read of people 'turning to the Lord' and again the same word is used as we find in this verse. The well- known verse describing the conversion of the Thessalonians speaks about them 'turning to God from idols' (1 Thessalonians 1:9). So, I am more inclined to think that James is speaking about conversion. In other words, these people were wandering away from the truth' and they needed divine intervention in order to turn them back to God. When James speaks about them as 'one of you', it might not mean that they were true believers in the Lord Jesus. They were probably professing Christians, but their actions condemned them and showed that they did not have true faith in Jesus the Messiah.
James is drawing his straight-talking letter to a close. He has been very outspoken in his criticism of certain people associated with the first century church. He has called them 'foolish persons' (2:20) 'adulterous people (4:4) 'sinners' and 'double-minded' (4:8). He has spoken out about the conduct of the rich in very strong language ((5:1-6). "Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes" [James 5:2 NIV]. "You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence" [James 5:5 NIV]. But James has addressed his audience / readers as 'brothers (and sisters) over and over again (James 1:2, 16, 19; 2:1,5,14; 3:1,3, 10, 12; 4:11; 5:7,9,10,12). He ends his letter on a gentle note. He is showing that there is forgiveness and recovery available. He is advocating that we as believers in the Lord Jesus and demonstrating that our faith is genuine, show a positive spirit towards those who 'have wandered from the truth.' We could engage in character assassination or gossip. We could condemn or judge. But James is offering an alternative course of action. We seek to win them for the Saviour. It is not up to us to decide whether or not they are genuine in their faith. We need the same spirit of meekness in our actions whether or not we are dealing with believers or unbelievers. Here is how Paul speaks about dealing with a person who has been caught in a sin.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. [Galatians 6:1 NIV]
Here it is not the word meaning to turn which is used about making a difference in this person's life. Paul talks about restoration. This is the word which Matthew used in his gospel to describe the disciples who were fishermen and they were mending their nets (Matthew 4:21). The net was far from perfect - it had been damaged perhaps by sharp rocks or sea creatures and needed to be repaired. Some of us are like that. We have been hurt and we need a gentle correction and restoration. To change metaphors, I think of the skilled craftsman or woman who is patiently or gently restoring a valuable painting after it has been damaged. They don't use power tools such as sanders or grinders or abrasive cleaning materials. They apply the gentle touch. This is what we need in our churches. I am not suggesting that we lower our standards or tolerate sin. But we need grace and humility in our actions and James ends his hard-hitting letter on that very note. Instead of rejoicing in the sins of others and making them a subject of gossip and slander, we seek to cover them over - God has provided forgiveness for sins and cleansing. We do not need to remind people regularly about their weaknesses or their failings. We do not need to rejoice in the sins of others. I quoted this hymn recently but it is so powerful that it is worth repeating.
O give us hearts to love like Thee!
Like Thee, O Lord, to grieve
Far more for others’ sins, than all
The wrongs that we receive.
One with Thyself, may every eye,
In us, Thy brethren, see
That gentleness and grace that spring
From union, Lord, with Thee.
Photo by Randy Laybourne on Unsplash.
Comments