The Christian is his brother’s keeper. Pastors are not solely responsible for the spiritual care of the saints, but the congregation share this as a mutual obligation. The church has corporate accountability to keep a guarded eye on one another like a “Watchman on a Wall” for spiritual and physical dangers that approaches and infiltrates the lives of our brothers and sisters (e.g., Ezek 3:17-19). This issue is James’ primary concern as he closes his letter to the church. He offers the following instructions of how to engage in spiritual reconnaissance and rescue of our fellow brethren who are enticed to roam outside the fortress of faith into ruinous territory that could have a destructive end.
Pay attention to one another (v19). We are not only called to confess our sins and pray with one another, but also to be watchful over each other’s lives (not as sovereign rulers, but as fellows sojourners).
Love is the driving force that compels us to seek each others good through watchful care. This is the only way we’ll even notice something may be wrong with a fellow saint, thus James begins his exhortation, “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth….” This is reference to a Christian who strays away from the teaching and living of the Word of God. Like a shepherd who looks upon the horizon and notices one of sheep has wandered out of the sheepfold in hole in the fence, we are immediately called into action, thus James continues, “…someone brings him back…” We are commanded to engage in a Spirit-led process to seek, confront, admonish and help such person(s) out of error they have roamed into. Paul urges Christ-like tactfulness in dealing with such a situation, “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness…” (Gal 6:1). The key is that a relationship is necessary if we are to be effective in this effort, for none of us can grow apart from one another (Heb 3:12-13).
Spiritual life is a matter of life and death (v20). James reminds us that Christians are to work together for the mutual well being the church as a whole. To be clear, we have no power to change nor govern the human heart (that is God’s lane). However, we can be deployed to co-labor with God in a rescue mission when his children wanders away from his truth and fall into one of Satan’s traps. If God grants us success, the wayward saint spiritual life is spared and such person is reconciled to God through forgiveness, thus, “…let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”
A Christian is not one where we are only concerned about our own growth and perseverance of our faith. We are exhorted by scripture to mature in the truth of God’s word by his grace that he will train us to be Kingdom agents that can bear the burdens of others. He uses us as instruments to restore spiritual relationships between Himself and man. Only the “mature” (spiritual) in God can qualify for this needed work, for it can save our brother and sister from a destructive outcome. Such a God-led rescue repositions them before the throne of grace where forgiveness of all sin is available on the basis of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God has placed us together as a community of faith because we’ll need each other in this life. Love takes the risk. Jesus is our example. Remember, he left the dominion of heaven to engage in a rescue mission into the earth that we may be delivered from eternal destruction. Amen.
Blessings,
Dr. Jason S. Price, Th.D.
www.springoflivingwaters.com
Well written. Thank you.
Praise the Lord Delores! May his blessings remain upon you.