James 5:19-20 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
The question that comes to my mind upon reading this is how to do this. Most people do not like to be corrected, especially if it involves sin. The key word in v. 19 is “bring them back.” Similarly, in v. 20 the key word is “turns.” How we do this is the key. James does not give us any specific clue here how, but earlier he wrote about humility and prayer. Those will be two key ingredients to this. Galatians 6:1 says, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26 offers similar advice. A gentle rebuke in humility and love will be better received that harsh judgment. Coming with this approach puts the burden for change on the sinful person and not the corrector. Sin is a departure from the truth, specifically, the truth of God’s revelation in the gospel of Christ and in the Bible. The consequence of sin is death. This puts the need for correction even higher in priority. This is not about fixing someone’s wrong choice. This is about his or her eternal destiny. Humility will be required by the one who is corrected. It is not easy to be told you are wrong. So often we take this in a personal way and feel hurt by it. If a brother or sister comes in love to point out a wrong in our lives, we must respond in humility and appreciation. Sometimes we cannot see our wrongs well because of the cloud of culture or ignorance. Other times we see our wrongs but ignore them, hoping no one else see them. The real danger is when our hearts are hardened and we put on a mask and pretend we have no sin but we know we do. 1 John 1:9 gives the answer to this: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Thus James ends his letter to the scattered believers. His letter is a powerful reminder of how to live everyday through the struggles and trials we face. He gives advice how to develop our relationships and build community by caring for the poor, watching what we say, and not living like the world. The key idea is putting our faith into action, living out our faith through obedience to the truth. If we or others wander from the truth, there is hope in prayer and repentance. Prayer is power and can bring healing.
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