The Restoration Mandate
Notes
Transcript
The Restoration Mandate
The Restoration Mandate
Summary of the Epistle of James
Summary of the Epistle of James
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
“Helping bring back wayward Christians securely into the ‘fold’ may constitute one of the most neglected responsibilities of the church today.”
Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell, James, vol. 16, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 252.
Sin Can Result in Death
Sin Can Result in Death
James speaks about a brother who wanders away from the truth. Unfortunately, the end of that pathway is death.
Physical death - not only, but also emotional and spiritual death.
James has spoken about this previously and refers back to this truth from chapter one:
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Many times, we do not think about our sin resulting in death - we minimize our sin.
But James makes it clear that the end result of sin is always death of some sort.
Believers Ought to Correct Stray Believers
Believers Ought to Correct Stray Believers
the concept here is of one among you - so, not necessarily an unsaved person, but rather one of their assembly that is turned aside away from the way of truth.
As a fun bit of trivia, the word here for err means to stray or wander. In fact,
James Explanation of Text
The root of the verb “should stray” (πλανηθῇ) produced the English term for “planet,” because a planet does not appear fixed in the sky as a star but “wanders” (or “strays”) through the night sky. When this verb (πλανάω) appears in the passive, it conveys the idea of being led astray or deceived.
We can be led astray by our own desires, the world’s influence, and even other believers who influence us against Biblical teaching.
We can also be led astray from the truth by unresolved conflcit within the church - as a result, that conflict causes people to avoid church altogether:
“If Christians spent even half the time taking their concerns about other people directly to them in gentleness and love (recall Gal 6:1) rather than complaining about them to others, we would all be far healthier, individually and collectively.”
Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell, James, vol. 16, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 253.
As believers, we have a clear responsibility to watch out on behalf of one another - confronting when needed.
Don’t be deceived by the idea that “we are all sinners” - We are, but James makes it clear that believers have a duty before the Lord to help other believers turn away from their wrong path.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.
What did they stray or err from? James talks about them straying from the truth. Is that right doctrine or is that right practice?
Craig Blomberg states:
“Given James’s stress on the practical aspects of faith and truth, it seems reasonable to conclude that this is a public falling away, whether in speech or action, rather than merely a private change of theology or thought.”
Craig L. Blomberg and Mariam J. Kamell, James, vol. 16, Zondervan Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008), 248.
In other words, this person has departed from the Biblical pattern of behavior - the truth and it could be in any of the areas that James has just covered such as:
not being patient in suffering, blaming others for our own sins, being polluted by the world’s wisdom, showing favoritism, or speaking against other believers.
Instead we have been told to control our tongue, act in faith and exercise the power of prayer as a doer of the word.
And another believer must take the time and care to confront them in a loving fashion - just as James has done in this epistle and
Turn them back - the idea of switching directions and going back on the correct path.
Believers Can Rejoice Over Returning Brothers and Sisters
Believers Can Rejoice Over Returning Brothers and Sisters
Those who lovingly confront a wandering believer have the joy of watching that believer turn from a path of destruction to a path of discipleship. There are still scars and consequences from those sinful choices,
But James makes it clear that intervention in the life of another believer will cover a multitude of sins.
In other words, without confrontataion and a turning back, that believer will simply heap up additional multiple sins - and eventually those sins will end up in death.
Sometimes that death is physical - such as those who make sinful choices about substance abuse or alcohol or immorality.
Sometimes that death is not a physical but emotional death - think of the person who is consumed by bitterness.
And sometimes, it is a spiritual deadness - one who has sinned so much and so often that though a believer, their heart is hardened to anything spiritual.
And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.
James seems to end his letter abruptly, but it is an apt ending to this very practical letter. Remember everything that James has reminded us about:
SEE PAGE 89 of SAMRA for a listing of who is susceptible to straying:
Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.
And encourage your fellow believers to practice them and avoid turning from the truth - and if they have turned, help restore them to full relationship to Jesus Christ.