For the past few weeks, we have been looking at James 2 and what James has to say about Saving Faith. We saw that he is not in conflict with the teachings of Paul on justification by faith alone but that he is dealing with the subject of saving your life from the damage that sin brings.
James closes this epistle by saying that not only are we to walk in obedience (be doers of the Word) and save our lives from damage, but we also are to notice how others are doing so that when someone errs from the truth, we are to go after him and turn him around.
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20 ESV
We are all called to be lifesavers. How would you respond if you were to see someone drowning? Would you try to help or call someone who could, or would you simply watch or turn away? You would most likely try to help because of the seriousness of the situation. It would be a matter of life and death.
When I was a teen, I worked as a lifeguard for the summer. I pulled several children off of the bottom of the pool. Kids who couldn't swim would walk right off the diving board and go straight to the bottom of a fifteen-foot pool. Without lifeguards there, those kids would be dead.
When my daughter Julie was a toddler, she was with me on the deck of my mother's pool. I was doing something and had my back to her. The pool had a solar cover on it, and Julie stepped out on it and went straight to the bottom and the cover went back into place. I turned around and she was gone. I went over to the pool and pulled back the cover and there she was on the bottom. I jumped in and pulled her out. I saved her life. Any one of you would certainly do the same thing. Why? Why would we be so quick to save her? We'd do it because we value life.
Well, what is true in the physical realm should also be true in the spiritual realm. When we see someone about to die spiritually, we should seek to save him or her. In the epistle of James, James warns believers of the death-dealing consequence of sin.
But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. James 1:14-16 ESV
James is saying that sin is serious; it leads to death. James talks about this same idea in 5:12-20. In 5:13-18, he says that sin could bring judgment in the form of physical sickness. And he exhorts the believers to confess their sins and pray for each other. Then in 5:19-20, he continues his theme that sin brings judgment (death). James describes this as being "sick."
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:14 ESV
I don’t think that this is teaching that whenever you get sick, you should call for the elders and have them anoint you with oil and pray for you. Look at the next verse.
And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. James 5:15 ESV
I don’t think that this is referring to the elders praying for this individual. The word for prayer here is euche which has more the idea of a vow than a prayer. It is only used two other times in the New Testament. Let’s look at them.
After this, Paul stayed many days longer and then took leave of the brothers and set sail for Syria, and with him Priscilla and Aquila. At Cenchreae he had cut his hair, for he was under a vow. Acts 18:18 ESV
Do therefore what we tell you. We have four men who are under a vow; Acts 21:23 ESV
In both of these verses, the word vow is translated from the Greek word euche. I was only able to find two translations that use the word vow in our text in James. The Apostolic Bible Polyglot renders it, "And the vow of the belief will deliver the weary one." The ABP is an interlinear Greek/English Septuagint and New Testament Bible. It is a useful tool for discovering how the vocabulary of the Greek New Testament was used in the older Greek Septuagint translation of the Hebrew Scriptures. The Modern Literal Version 2019 also uses vow,
And the vow of the faith will save the one who is weary and the Lord will lift him up, even if he has practiced sins, it will be forgiven him. James 5:15 MLV2019
I think that James is saying that the "vow of faith" will save the one who is sick. This may refer to a public vow to turn from their sin. The word "sick" here is kamno which is also an unusual word. It is used only one other time in the New Testament.
Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted. Hebrews 12:3 ESV
The Modern Literal Version 2019 does a good job here.
Then James moves from sickness to death.
let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:20 ESV
Verses 19-20 are a continuation of verses 13-18. But they are also a fitting conclusion to the entire letter—by turning from sin you can save your life.
Throughout this whole letter James has exhorted the believers on how to save their lives from the damage that sin brings, and now he adds that they can also be involved in saving the lives of others. He is telling them and us that we can be spiritual lifeguards.
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, James 5:19 ESV
"My brothers"—James is writing to believers! "If anyone among you"—any believer in the fellowship.
Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. James 5:13-14 ESV
James is speaking of anyone they have fellowship with. "Wanders from the truth"— the word "wanders" is the Greek word planao. It means "to roam (from safety, truth, or virtue):- go astray, err, wander, be out of the way." "From the truth" —he is speaking of any departure from the truth as set forth in the Word of God, whether it be doctrinal or practical. Truth is not just something to believe; it is to be obeyed.
You were running well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? Galatians 5:7 ESV
If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 1 John 1:6 ESV
The truth is something we are to live out. We are to act on what we believe to be true.
James says that there is every possibility that the members of the family of God will stray. This is taught in the hymn Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing in the words "Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it. Prone to leave the God I love." There is a tendency on the part of all of us to stray away from the truth. Do you understand this? There are many believers who don't. Many think that if someone is a true Christian, he will never stray form the truth. This is not biblical! Obedience in the Christian life is not automatic, and it is not guaranteed. Can a Christian allow sin to reign in his life? When I ask Christians that question, I usually get a "No" response. The Bible teaches differently.
Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Romans 6:12 ESV
The word "reign" is the Greek verb basileuo. It means "to exercise kingly power, or to exercise uncontrolled authority." The verb is present, active, imperative with the negative "me." This construction forbids the continuance of an action already going on. We could translate it this way: "Stop allowing sin to reign as king in your mortal body." It is a command to stop an action that is already going on. Sin was reigning in their lives.
Believers, sin will reign in you if you let it. It takes discipline and diligence to keep it from reigning.
So, I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified. 1 Corinthians 9:26-27 ESV
The word "disqualified" is from the Greek word adokimos which means "rejected, worthless." I don't want to be disqualified so I "discipline my body." This is from the Greek word hupopiazo which literally means "to hit under the eye, to lead captive, to lead as a slave." This is a description of a disciplined man. The Christian, like the athlete, must be disciplined if he is to win. Paul went to great efforts to keep sin from reigning in his life.
What happens when a member of the body strays? Does James say to criticize him, to ostracize him, to cut him off, to turn your back on him, to gossip about him? NO!
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, James 5:19 ESV
"And someone brings him back." The King James Version says, "and one converts him." He is not talking about evangelism here; he is talking about turning around a straying believer. Who is to do this? Anyone who is aware of it. This is every believer's responsibility.
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. Galatians 6:1 ESV
He says to rescue him! Go to him in love, seeking to turn him from the sin and to restore him.
"And someone brings him back"—this is not an exhortation to carry out this important duty, but rather it assumes that the task has been achieved because someone cared. I jumped in the pool and pulled Julie out because of love, not duty.
I am sure that all of you have heard the story of the boy who was trudging through the ghetto with a little crippled boy on his back. Someone asked, "How can you carry such a heavy load?" The boy responded, "He ain't heavy. He's my brother!" When we see a brother (or a sister) who is falling, it is our responsibility to go to him, to pick him up and support him, to encourage him and turn him back to the truth. Paul put it this way in Philippians:
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Philippians 2:4 ESV
If we are so wrapped up in ourselves that we don't know what others need, then how can we care for them? WE CAN'T!
The writer of Hebrews states it like this:
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, Hebrews 10:24 ESV
The word "consider" is from the Greek word, katanoeo. It is a compound word composed of kata ("down") and noeo ("to exercise the mind"). It has the idea of thoroughly and carefully noticing someone or something. A good English equivalent would be "to contemplate." This is a strong and emphatic exhortation--consider others, contemplate others. Our responsibility to others is a theme that we see throughout the Scriptures,
"This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. John 15:12 ESV
Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Romans 12:10 ESV
Therefore welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God. Romans 15:7 ESV
I myself am satisfied about you, my brothers, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another. Romans 15:14 ESV
"Instruct" is the Greek word noutheteo ("to put in mind, to caution or reprove gently, warn").
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, Ephesians 4:2 ESV
Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:32 ESV
submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. Ephesians 5:21 ESV
Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 ESV
How can we fulfill any of these "one another" commands to receive, love, comfort, and forgive if we don't consider one another? If we are so wrapped up in ourselves that we don't know what others need, then how can we fulfill these exhortations?
Do you realize that individually you and I are personally responsible for the physical and spiritual welfare of each other? This exhortation to consider others is not given to only the church elders—it is given to all believers. We all are to consider one another. We are to look to the needs, problems, struggles, and temptations of one another. The spirit of rugged individualism, so prevalent in America, is wholly incompatible with the church of Yeshua the Christ. American believers think that they have discharged their responsibility to the Lord because they are individually living in holiness, but they are wrong. We are not only to look out for our own lives, but we are to consider others. Christians have a corporate, as well as an individual, responsibility. Christianity is others oriented! But most of us care only about meeting our own needs, and we ignore the many instructions in the Bible about our responsibility to others.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 ESV
Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV
The kingdom of God is not designed for believers to exist in isolation from each other; we are interdependent. We need each other if we are truly going to be what God has called us to be.
so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Romans 12:5 ESV
Each believer has unique abilities and insights that are invaluable for building up other believers in the body of Christ. Christianity is to be lived out in community, and God has created us to be dependent both on Him and on one another. God said in Genesis 2:18 that "It is not good for a man to be alone." That principle does not only apply to the marriage relationship. It extends to the fact that none of us has the spiritual wherewithal to go it alone in our Christian lives. Proverbs 27:17 says: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another." As we share our lives with each other, we sharpen and encourage one another. Solomon put it this way:
Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV
We need each other because that is how the Lord created us. We are to teach, to serve, and to bear the burdens of one another.
Notice the purpose of our considering one another according to Hebrews 10:24,
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, Hebrews 10:24 ESV
"To stir up one another to love and good works." The words "stir up" are from the Greek word paroxusmos which is a strong word implying a real effort to provoke each other into love and good works. This word appears only one other time in Scripture/
Now Barnabas wanted to take with them John called Mark. But Paul thought best not to take with them one who had withdrawn from them in Pamphylia and had not gone with them to the work. And there arose a sharp disagreement, so that they separated from each other. Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed away to Cyprus, but Paul chose Silas and departed, having been commended by the brothers to the grace of the Lord. Acts 15:37-40 ESV
"Sharp disagreement" is paroxusmos. Paroxusmos usually means "irritation or exasperation." It is unusual to have it used in a good sense, so the choice of the unusual word makes the exhortation more striking. We provoke one another a lot by irritating and exasperating one another. But we do not usually provoke each other to love and good works; we provoke to anger, jealousy, and envy. When is the last time that you were provoked to love and good works by another believer? Or when is the last time that you provoked another believer to love and good works?
How are we to provoke one another to love and good works? We are told in the next verse.
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. Hebrews 10:25 ESV
On the negative side, we should not forsake our assembling together. We can't help each other much if we don't see each other. On the positive side, when we come together, we are to encourage one another. The Greek word for encourage is parakaleo which means "to encourage, to comfort, beg, or beseech." It speaks of coming alongside to help. When we get together, we are to encourage one another, build one another up.
Peter and James express it this way:
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16 ESV
Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: 1 Peter 4:9-10 ESV
What does Hebrews 10:25 mean when it says we are not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together? The assembling called for here is not just going to church on Sunday morning because these things don't usually happen when we meet on Sunday. The teaching on Sunday morning is very important, and we cannot abandon it, but this verse doesn't say we are to assemble to be taught. It says we are to assemble to exhort one another. This can only effectively be done one-on-one or in small groups where we can get to know one another and help one another to live as God would have us live through provoking one another to love and good works, and by confessing our faults to one another, and praying for one another.
We don't usually question each other about our sins or victories. If someone ever should question a person about a sinful practice in his life, he gets very defensive and hostile. Our Christianity is very shallow, the writings of the early Methodists contrasts with our shallowness.
In The Rules of the Band Societies (an early Methodist meeting which consisted of no more than twelve, and no less than two), drawn up on December 25, 1738, give us insight into their group's transparency.
The design of our meeting is to obey that command of God, "Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed."
To this end, we intend,
- To meet once a week, at the least.
- To come punctually at the hour appointed, without some extraordinary reason.
- To begin (those of us who are present) exactly at the hour, with singing or prayer.
- To speak each of us in order, freely and plainly, the true state of our souls, with the faults we have committed in thought, word, or deed, and the temptations we have felt, since our last meeting.
- To end every meeting with prayer, suited to the state of each person present.
- To desire some person among us to speak his own state first, and then to ask the rest, in order, as many searching questions as may be, concerning their state, sins, and temptations.
Any of the following questions may be asked as often as occasion offers;
- What known sin have you committed since our last meeting?
- What temptation have you met with?
- How were you delivered?
- What have you thought, said, or done of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?
How would you like to be involved in a group like that? To tell you the truth, I have mixed emotions. I would love to be involved in that kind of a group because that is real accountability. But on the other hand, it scares me; this is serious stuff, this is not playing church. This is the type of assembly that I believe the author of Hebrews is talking about.
Before we can build one another up, there must be an understanding of each other's spiritual needs. Only close relationships and small groups provide a context where this can happen.
Believers, we are to assemble together for the purpose of provoking one another to love and good works. The supportive love of Christians for one another is a powerful factor in maintaining our spiritual vigor. If we would follow this prescription, we would be able to live victorious lives to the glory of God.
We can't "consider" others if we don't spend time with them during which we can share intimately with them. If we don't spend time with others, we might not even know if they wander from the truth.
My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20 ESV
James says that the result will be that we will turn a sinner from the error of his way, we will save his soul from death, and we will cover a multitude of sins. James uses death broadly in this book. He is not referring only to physical death, but also to the death-like state that exists when people don't respond to the truth. It is death to fellowship with God. We have all experienced this death—the boredom, frustration, and emptiness which is the consequence of disobedience to the truth. James says that when someone wanders away from the truth, we are to go to that brother and lovingly seek to restore him. In this way we will save his life from death, and we will cover a multitude of sins.
Please understand that physical death is very often spoken of in Scripture as a consequence of sin.
Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died. 1 Corinthians 11:28-30 ESV
If anyone sees his brother committing a sin not leading to death, he shall ask, and God will give him life—to those who commit sins that do not lead to death. There is sin that leads to death; I do not say that one should pray for that. All wrongdoing is sin, but there is sin that does not lead to death. 1 John 5:16-17 ESV
For example, two sins that we see leading to death are (1) sexual sin. This sin can lead to death if a deadly disease is contracted. Death can also occur is a jealous spouse resorts to killing the guilty parties, and (2) Murder. A murder conviction can lead to the death penalty or a relative of the victim might take the law into his own hands.
let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:20 ESV
The phrase that James uses here, "sozein ten psuche" (save a soul) is a standard and normal way of saying "to save the life." Sin is very serious, and it can lead to death, therefore, to turn someone from sin to obedience is to save his life.
Now, those two actions—salvation from death and forgiveness of sins are the actions of God. Only God can save a soul from death. And only God can forgive sins. And yet we are given the privilege of being co-laborers with God. We can do what He is doing in the lives of people and can share with him in the ministry of restoration.
James closes this epistle by saying that not only are we to walk in obedience (be doers of the Word) and save our lives from damage, but we also are to notice how others are doing. When someone errs from the truth, we are to go after him and turn him around.
James ends his epistle very abruptly. There is no benediction, no doxology, and no gesture of farewell. It is as though he doesn't want to deflect our minds from the privilege and responsibility of caring for one another.
Whom do you know who has erred from the truth? What are you doing to restore him?
Let me close this morning with the analogy of a lifeguard. To be a good lifeguard you must:
- Be alert—a lifeguard needs to be paying attention to everyone who is in the water. We also need to be alert. We need to consider others so we'll notice if they err from the truth.
- Be in good shape—if a lifeguard is flabby and out of shape, how will he be able to rescue others? We also need to be in good shape spiritually. If our lives are a spiritual mess, it is really hard to help others.
- Be Trained—if a lifeguard does not know how to save a drowning victim, he may lose his own life trying to save him. In lifesaving classes, they teach you how to approach a drowning victim, and they teach you how to break holds that a drowning victim may put on you. In this same way, we need to be trained by the word of God so we can deal with an erring brother correctly.
Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
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. Galatians 6:1 ESV
We must be trained by the Word of God if we are going to help others.
4. Be Close by—a lifeguard must be close enough to get to the victim before he drowns. The same is true of us, we must be close enough to someone to be able to be an influence in his life. This closeness only happens by spending time with that individual.
The body of Christ is desperately in need of more lifeguards. Sin is very serious, and it is destroying many. Being a lifeguard is not easy, but the benefits are fantastic!
let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. James 5:20 ESV