S) "19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins."
James 5:19-20 (NASB)
O) In the closing of his letter, James goes through warning about the misuse of wealth, patience and enduring suffering, honesty, prayer and confession, and the effect of faith in God. After all that, the above two verses end this book. There is something to be said for final words, and I don't think it's only coincidence that James ended his letter this way. These words have some pretty deep implications that harken us back to chapter 2, when James reminded us that faith and works must be paired together. To be clear, although James is certainly showing us that we have a role in the salvation of others, I do not think he is under any illusion that it is our power which saves people. Even in his statement, "and one turns him back," we must understand that the one who strayed is coming back to the truth, coming back to Jesus Christ. That is his salvation. But, just as Paul also said, "How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard?" (Romans 10:14-15). Like many areas of life, relationship, and truth, we tend to want to simplify complex issues. The reality is that how a person comes to a saving faith in Jesus Christ is complicated. We will never know the extent to which any one person might have a role. Certainly, it is God alone who softens hearts. Certainly, it is God alone who opens the eyes and ears of the spiritually blind and deaf. And just as plainly as the Bible reveals those things to us, it also reveals that we have a part to play in turning other people toward their Creator.
A) There are times when I feel a lot of pressure to "get people saved" (specific people, usually). That is a burden that I do not think Scripture lays on my shoulders. Much more often, that seems like an attack from the accuser of the brethren. Still, I know that I have to be more bold with speaking the truth. Over the last year, especially, I think I have become more bold than ever before. Obviously, I want to keep that going and every passing year I should be more bold, more confident in Christ, more sure of the faith within me. This passage, though, I find particularly encouraging. A lot of times, I don't exactly feel a calling to evangelism, per se. However, I often feel a draw toward people who already know the gospel, but maybe have stopped believing for one reason or another. It's worth noting that this passage shows us that there are people who have had the truth, and their souls are in danger of death, unless they return to the truth. Again, how exactly a person is saved, or when exactly they have strayed too far from the truth, these are complicated, complex, probably unknowable things. I will leave that kind of discernment, that kind of judgment, to the only One who perfectly judges. Some of my feeling called to this kind of group of people, might have to do with the culture in which I live, because so many here have some understanding of the gospel (although it's less and less common). Maybe it's because I have such a desire to teach, and that's always easier when there are certain truths that are already common ground. Whatever the case, I want to be used by God to reach whomever He wishes that I reach with the truth. I know that it's not up to me to make people believe, but I do need to be ready to show them the way back to God. I need to be prepared, and willing, to help people connect with the truth. .
P) Father, thank You for opening my eyes to see the truth. Thank You for softening my heart, and opening my ears, to hear the call of the Holy Spirit, drawing me back into relationship with You, Lord God. You are so patient, and full of lovingkindness. I know that You are the only one in position to see the hearts of people. Let me humbly lay aside any notion that I know who needs to be saved and when, or that I know who's souls are in danger. Instead, let me focus on obedience. Let me focus on following Your lead, as the Holy Spirit prompts me to speak truth into someone's life. Help me to be more and more bold with each passing day, with each opportunity. Remind and encourage me, that it is not up to my abilities to save someone, it is not by my power or persuasive speech that a person believes, but I do still have an obligation, and a privilege, to share the truth. Let me continue to cling to the blood of Christ and the power of my testimony, to move from victory to victory, for the glory of Your name. Let Your will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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