James 5:19 - 20 (Responsibility and wandering)

October 20, 2021 (Wednesday)

 

James wraps up his letter with a brief note of responsibility. Sometimes we feel like we are alone in our walk with Jesus. Being self-sufficient is an American value. Coupled with the mentality that “you can’t make me do it,” we have significantly decreased our chances of success in following Jesus.

 

James explains, “My brothers and sisters, if any of you wander from the truth and someone turns back the wanderer, recognize that whoever brings a sinner back from the wrong path will save them from death and will bring about the forgiveness of many sins.” [James 5:19 – 20 CEB] Let’s break this down as space will allow.

 

Frist, it is a myth that any follower of Jesus is, or ever can be, sinless. We do stand before God forgiven, seen by God as who we will be and not who we are, we are pure and holy. This is why we should never bestow to an individual, organization, or church authority belonging only God. If we claim sinless status we are either arrogant of delusional. John tells us, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” [1 John 1:8 ESV] This self-deception is part of human nature.

 

Second, we are responsible to help those that wonder. James is talking about going astray. It may apply to belief or action. If belief goes wrong, it will not be long before action goes bad. If action goes wrong, we will do mental contortions to justify our behavior. Eventually this pollutes the belief. If someone does give in to temptation and fake theology, it is the responsibility of the believer to go on a rescue mission.

 

Jude, James and Jesus’ brother, adds a caution to the rescue mission, “Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.” [Jude 1:23 NLT] Sometimes when we get into the mud pit to pull someone out, we can end up contaminated ourselves. Avoid the contamination, but run the rescue mission!

 

Third, there is an interesting possibility in verse 20. In verse 19, James is identifying the wandering person as “you.” This means within the body of believers. In verse 20, the person is labeled a “sinner.” This term generally (within evangelical theology) generally means someone who is not saved (by implication heading to Hell). This seems to cut against some theological nerves. However, we must recognize the possibility to understand the danger the person wandering is in.

 

The result of wandering is death and many sins. This wandering is not a simple mistake. It is not a mindless moment. It is a deliberate and continual pattern of disregard for God’s law and a right relationship with God. It is willful. David learned the danger the hard way and urged us to pray, “Keep your servant from deliberate (willful, presumptuous) sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin.” [Psalm 19:13 NLT]

 

That’s the problem with deliberate sin. When we do not repent, it is like a snowball rolling downhill. As snow rolls over snow it accumulates layer after layer after layer after layer, until it is rolls over us. It’s fun when building a snowman. Not so much when we are dragged out of a right relationship with God and put into an awkward place of judgement. Not a comfortable or safe place to be…