Read James 5:19-20
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring them back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the way of error will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20)
I am assuming that this passage refers to believers and therefore “saving him from death” means premature physical death, which would be a result of his sin, and not the “second death” referred to in Revelation 21:8.
“Wandering from the truth” may apply to our beliefs or our behaviour. There is such a concept as “absolute truth”, as “right or wrong”. The world does not accept this fact. “Surveys in America indicate that two-thirds of American adults believe that there is no such thing as absolute truth. (This percentage is 74 percent among people 18-25 years old) and it does not matter which god or higher power is addressed when one prays.” (George Stulac)
Note the care that church leaders (not just ordained priests/pastors) should have for the members of their flock. This reminds us of the Good Shepherd who knows His sheep, lays down His life for the sheep and who must bring other sheep that are not of this sheep pen (see John 10:14-16).
“Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” (v. 20). When the sinner truly repents, God in His love “covers over a multitude of sins”. This refers primarily to God’s forgiveness. “You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.” (Psalm 85:2).
We, who are sinners, must remember the words of Peter when we are counselling the wanderer: “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” (1 Peter 4:8).
It is a great privilege both to restore and to be restored – to know that the Lord has “covered over”, “blotted out”, “remembered no more”, and “swept away” our sins, to mention just a few of God’s gracious acts.
Praise the Lord who, in His mercy, “covers over a multitude of sins”.
Praise the Lord who has restored us so many times
when we wandered away from Him.
This is the last of the meditations extracted from “Transformation from Belief to Behaviour: 39 Lenten Meditations on the Letter of James” by Peter Young and used with permission by the author. It may be used solely for personal, noncommercial, and informational purposes. Republication or redistribution of this devotional is prohibited.
