TEXT: James 5:19-20

SUBJECT: Exposition of James #12: Close

With these words, James brings his Epistle to an abrupt conclusion. Whereas Peter and Paul close their letters with a blessing or word of personal affection, James ends his with a call to action. He has done his part for the welfare of God's people; he now turns to us with the command "Do yours". Are we up to the challenge? May God enable us, for Christ's sake. Amen.

This reminds us of something we're apt to forget: All believers are members of the same family. We're all "Children of God by faith in Jesus Christ". Because we're a Family, we belong--not only to God--but to each other. High privileges follow from this relationship, as do deep obligations. Because we are a family, we're to live as a family. And not a dysfunctional one!

Some members of the Family "wander from the truth". This word, "truth" refers either to doctrine or to practice--or to both. I see no reason to exclude either. In the former, it describes a brother who comes under the influence of bad teaching. False teachers were as much a part of the Early Church as they are of the Modern Church. They, like their counterparts of today, were able to mislead true believers in Christ. Some of their doctrines were damning in their effect. What are we to do with the brother who is duped by heretics? We're to reclaim him for the truth.

How? James doesn't say, but Paul does. He's to be "sharply rebuked" for his error (Titus 1:13). But the "sharpness" of the rebuke is not the product of personal animosity; it's to be administered in humility and love (Galatians 6:1). If he does not immediately respond, we're to patiently plead with him with the hope that God will give him repentance (II Timothy 2:25).

If the "truth" from which he "wanders" is practical, we're to address it in pretty much the same way. We're to notice the brother slipping into sin or neglect; we're to pray for him; we're to speak to him about it--gently at first, and more firmly if needed. We're to do everything within our power to bring the wandering brother back into the Household of God.

Note: the obligation to help straying believers is not limited to the pastorate. Elders are not named in the passage, nor insinuated. These words are addressed to the "Brethren"--to all the people of God. It is a Christian duty to "consider one another in order to stir up love and good works". It is a Christian duty to "look diligently [over each other] lest anyone fall short of the grace of God". Pastors are not exempted, of course, but neither is the whole work given to them. We need a mutual oversight--everyone looking out for everyone else.

Why are we to look out for each other? Because, in this way, the "wandering" brother may be "turned back". His fellowship with Christ and His people may be restored by our efforts. Our efforts are puny at best, but God's grace may bless them to the brother's full recovery. We're given the "ministry of reconciliation". It's about time we "take heed to the ministry which [we] have received in the Lord, that [we] may fulfill it".

Leading the "wandering" brother back to Christ and His people is often a painful, time-consuming, and heartbreaking work. If we're to do it well, we need an incentive. V.20 provides one: "Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins".

The work is done in love--brotherly love. It is done to help the straying brother. Will any good come of it? Yes! If the brother repents, he will be "saved from death" and find his sins "covered".

Commentators have found these words redundant. I disagree. I believe "saving a soul from death"--though related to--is quite different than "covering a multitude of sins".

The former, it seems to me, refers to physical death as a result of Divine chastening. The word, "soul" is used variously in Scripture. When our Lord asked, "What would a man give in exchange for his soul", He obviously meant "life". The Rich Man gained wealth but lost his life. A bad exchange. This is how I understand the word here. May a Christian physically die because of his sins? Yes. I Corinthians 11:30 makes that clear. Some in that church were "weak", others were "sick", and some were "sleeping" or dead because of their disruption of church unity. He does not say they were in hell; the word "sleep" (rather than dead) suggests otherwise. They were saved people who were too stubborn to bow to lesser chastisement, and so, bowed at last, to the ultimate discipline of death.

The "wandering" brother may wander so far from the truth as to bring the chastisement of death upon him. A terrible end, to be sure. But also a preventable one. We cannot repent for him, but we can help him repent. That is our duty. His life may well depend on us doing it.

The other incentive to help "wandering" brothers is higher than this. By turning him back to Christ, we will also "cover a multitude of sins".

"Covering sins" is a figure of speech meaning "forgiveness". Psalm 32 uses them interchangeably: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered..."

Our efforts, blessed by God, will bring the "wandering" brother to repentance. When he repents, his sins--the least of them, the worst of them--will be fully forgiven. Wandering from Christ is no trifle; it involves "a multitude of sins"--all of which will be forgiven on terms of repentance.

Only God "give repentance and the remission of sins". Shouldn't we let Him do it? Some have argued this way, but badly. For the Lord wants us to have a part in His work; He wants us to be "laborers together with Him". Not that He needs our help! But He wants to bless us by sharing His saving work with us. James Adamson observes:

Nathan was used of God to bring David to repentance. Paul was similarly used in the life of Peter. Think of what David contributed to the welfare of Israel after his repentance! Think of what Peter did after he "turned back" to the truth! Who's to say our wandering brothers haven't got a vital role to play in the life of the Church? We know they have. Yet they'll only play it if they repent. We can help them. If we have the love and courage and patience to try.

The Lord make us brothers in deed, and not just brothers in word.

In closing, let me remind you of what the Epistle of James is all about: It's about living a life consistent with your faith in Jesus Christ. James does not demand perfection; that's a vain effort. But he wants our actions to correspond to our thoughts and words. Do we think great thoughts Do we speak beautiful words? Wonderful! But what kind of husband are you? What kind of wife? What kind of employee? What kind of neighbor?

The love of Christ which fills our hearts must overflow into our relationships. "This commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also". And more than this: he must "dwell in love"; love must regulate his entire life.

This is what James would have us do. But more: this is what Christ would have us do. The Lord give us hearts to love and to do His will. Amen.