The work of restoration.
Notes
Transcript
The Bible Knowledge Commentary 5:19–20
Wandering ones need to be brought back to the fold. James referred here not to evangelism but to restoration. Revival, not redemption, is in view. The rescue action is of great significance. A lost sheep is saved from destruction and his sins (the sins of the restored one, not the restorer) are covered as if a veil were thrown over them (cf.
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back,
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.
I. The Straying Believer.
I. The Straying Believer.
A. The allure of sin
A. The allure of sin
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
This is those who desire to remain faithful to Christ but begin to experiment with sin. Slowly but surely they drift away.
B. The slow fade.
B. The slow fade.
II. The Enticement of the World.
II. The Enticement of the World.
III. The Caring Christian.
III. The Caring Christian.
A. Compassionate believer
A. Compassionate believer
Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;
B. Edifying Saint
B. Edifying Saint
Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
IV. A Labor of Love.
IV. A Labor of Love.
Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
V. Restoration without Reproach.
V. Restoration without Reproach.
This is a hot topic in the day in which we live.
For many years churches have had a reputation of covering up sin and abuse.
I want to make myself very clear. There is no excuse for covering abuse, and this is not what this passage is teaching.
On one hand there is a duty to protect the testimony of the church. However, this is not accomplished through being passive towards evil. Scriptures clearly teachers that we are to be held accountable for our actions.
But, not every sin is a criminal offence. Sometimes our sins are morally acceptable in society, but still against God.
We should always seek to edify one another when possible.
We are also bound by duty to protect those under our care. And, if that means exposing abuse, then we must do what is necessary. Even if that means comes at a personal cost.
Consider a once-thriving garden now overgrown with weeds. A gardener, skilled and patient, does not blame the plant for its state but lovingly cultivates it back to life. Similarly, God does not reproach us for being tangled by sin but lovingly restores us, as promised in John 15:5, reminding us that we are still His beloved branches, capable of producing good fruit.
“I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
