OPERATION RESTORATION (12 OF 12)
by Keith Krell
Scripture: James 5:19-20
This content is part of a series.
Operation Restoration (12 of 12)
Series: Put Your Faith to Work
Keith Krell
James 5:19-20
(A World War II air raid sound bite goes off, and I sprint up onto the stage.) Quickly! Turn in your Bible to James 5:19-20! Hurry! This is a matter of life or death! I mean it! This is a truly matter of life or death! James writes: ''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.'' Have you ever watched a new Christian get deceived into joining a cult? Have you ever watched a mature believer fall into a besetting sin? Have you ever seen a spouse walk away from his or her marriage covenant? At one time or another, you've undoubtedly experienced such a tragedy. These gut-wrenching scenarios can leave one confused and paralyzed to know how to respond. Fortunately, in two brief verses, James tells us what to do: recognize and rescue spiritual strays.
1. Recognize spiritual strays (5:19). In order to recognize spiritual strays, we must be involved in our church and know the body intimately. James concludes his ''in your face'' letter with a warning about individuals who may ''stray[s] from the truth.'' This warning is rather pointed, so let's make sure we understand it properly. First and foremost, we must recognize that James is writing to believers. He calls his readers ''brethren'' (adelphos). This endearing term is used nineteen times in James. In case there is any question as to the meaning of this word, in three of his usages, James attaches the adjective ''beloved'' (1:16, 19; 2:5). Moreover, according to 1:18, ''brethren'' are those whom God has regenerated by ''the word of truth.'' Clearly, James is speaking to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This is also confirmed by the phrase ''any among you.'' The spiritual stray under consideration, identified as ''among you,'' is among the ''brethren'' ...
Series: Put Your Faith to Work
Keith Krell
James 5:19-20
(A World War II air raid sound bite goes off, and I sprint up onto the stage.) Quickly! Turn in your Bible to James 5:19-20! Hurry! This is a matter of life or death! I mean it! This is a truly matter of life or death! James writes: ''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.'' Have you ever watched a new Christian get deceived into joining a cult? Have you ever watched a mature believer fall into a besetting sin? Have you ever seen a spouse walk away from his or her marriage covenant? At one time or another, you've undoubtedly experienced such a tragedy. These gut-wrenching scenarios can leave one confused and paralyzed to know how to respond. Fortunately, in two brief verses, James tells us what to do: recognize and rescue spiritual strays.
1. Recognize spiritual strays (5:19). In order to recognize spiritual strays, we must be involved in our church and know the body intimately. James concludes his ''in your face'' letter with a warning about individuals who may ''stray[s] from the truth.'' This warning is rather pointed, so let's make sure we understand it properly. First and foremost, we must recognize that James is writing to believers. He calls his readers ''brethren'' (adelphos). This endearing term is used nineteen times in James. In case there is any question as to the meaning of this word, in three of his usages, James attaches the adjective ''beloved'' (1:16, 19; 2:5). Moreover, according to 1:18, ''brethren'' are those whom God has regenerated by ''the word of truth.'' Clearly, James is speaking to fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. This is also confirmed by the phrase ''any among you.'' The spiritual stray under consideration, identified as ''among you,'' is among the ''brethren'' ...
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