March 12, 2002
The Hero
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and will cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20
Here we see the difference in judging and restoring one who has wandered away from the Lord. See, to judge is to do what Christians are so good at doing, shooting their own wounded. However, when one sees a brother sin, one should go to that brother (or sister), and point them to the way of the truth in Jesus. Restoration is done in love and not in judgment. Restoration contains mercy and grace. Judgment is condemnation. According to this passage, we should each seek to restore, to bring the brother or sister back, not to stand in judgment, pointing the finger saying things that would wound or harm. To turn a sinner from the error of his ways, saves him from death. Now, we know that all have sinned, even those who know Jesus sin. However, when we live for Jesus we are called to live in submission to him, not in agreement with the world. Should I fall away from the Lord and fall into sin, it is the place of the brethren to gently restore me by showing me, first the error of my way, the to bring me back.
Bringing one back does not imply passiveness in this. It implies taking someone by the hand and leading them, carrying them, being with them, helping them to get back to the point where they need to be. In doing this, one will cover over more sins that one could imagine, just be turning a brother back to Jesus. This keeps the brother from continuing on to the point of death, restoring them to the life in Jesus. Come let us learn to restore and not to tear down. Let us learn to love and not to judge. Let us extend the same mercy to those who have fallen that the Lord has shown to us.
Father, show us the difference, beyond a doubt, between judging and restoring. Lord, in Jesus name teach us the right spirit into which we must enter to be successful in allowing you to use us to restore a brother or a sister. Lord, forgive us for shooting our own wounded, for standing in judgment, poised, with stones in our hands. Father, in Jesus name I praise you that there were those who cared enough about me to bring me back when I had fallen. In Jesus name, let me do this for those I come into contact with, amen.
All rights reserved: Amy Seelbach
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