Rescue The Perishing

JUNE 10, 2020 STUDY NOTES JAMES 5:19-20 BIBLE TEACHER: CLIFTON JONES RESCUE THE PERISHING Jas 5:20 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. There are many questions to be answered concerning this verse Who is “the sinner? Is he saved or lost? What is “the error of his way?” Is he a church member who is lost? Or is he saved and turned from the truth? Who is the one who “converts the sinner?” What is the meaning of “convert?” How is it that a soul is saved “from death?” What death does James speak of? Is it, spiritual death, second death, eternal death, or physical death? How can sins be hidden? Especially a “multitude of sins?” James begins the verse with Let him know, Actually-it is a word of assurance and encouragement from James Something that can be known from one’s own personal experience with God We can learn a lot about how God works in the lives of others by remembering how God has worked in our own life Remember the path of sin that you once traveled? Remember when your sins were forgiven? Remember the result of your salvation and the beginning of your “New Life” in Christ? Remember the temptations that Satan comes to you with, tempting you to turn you from Christ? Remember how you felt when you first turned back to follow a sin? Christians can relate to what James is saying-that he which converteth the sinner James still speaks to the “brethren,” just as in the previous verse, Jas 5:19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; The word translated “convert” is the same in verse 19 and 20 “The sinner” is the same in both verses, one who is saved and turns from the “truth” A Christian who has stumbled and wandered from the truth and we all “know” that it is possible “Converting” them means to minister to them and lead them back to the truth The prophet Ezekiel received a word from the Lord that will help us to understand what James is saying, Eze 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me. When Ezekiel heard from the Lord, he was to immediately speak to the people He was to warn them of the danger of not listening to God and not obeying God But if Ezekiel failed to be faithful to God’s Word and failed to warn the people He would be held accountable before God, Eze 3:18 When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. Ezekiel would not suffer a loss of salvation, but a loss of reward, Eze 3:19 Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Having warned them, Ezekiel would not be at fault before God or man If the one in sin did not turn from his sin, then he would be held accountable before God Eze 3:20 Again, When a righteous man doth turn from his righteousness, and commit iniquity, and I lay a stumblingblock before him, he shall die: because thou hast not given him warning, he shall die in his sin, and his righteousness which he hath done shall not be remembered; but his blood will I require at thine hand. “A righteous man” is one who is saved, a true believer, a child of God Christians can turn from right conduct and commit iniquity which is often called backsliding God will lay “a stumbling block” before them which is known as chastening of the Lord Divine discipline is for the purpose of turning the backsliding Christian back to righteousness If he does not repent “he shall die in his sin,” not spiritual death but a premature physical death He will not only lose his physical life, he will suffer a loss of rewards And the Christian who should have warned him will also suffer a loss of reward But if the watchman warns him, he will gain life and a reward, Eze 3:21 Nevertheless if thou warn the righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul. As a Christian we must be a faithful “watchman,” we are accountable before God God said to Ezekiel, “His blood will I require at thine hand” When the “watchman” warns the backslider “sin not” and he heeds the warning, he lives He avoids the sin unto a premature physical death Neither the “watchman” or the backslider who repents will face any chastening of God This passage from Ezekiel tells us how important the last verse of James 5 really is A verse that we must understand and obey Paul considered himself a “watchman” over others, Act 20:31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Paul had watched over them and was commanding them to watch over one another Paul gave Timothy the same instructions, 2Ti 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. As Christians we must “reprove, rebuke, and exhort” one another with doctrine and patience The Word of God will correct those who are in error and rebuke those living in sin Sound doctrine will encourage the one who proclaims the Word and the one who hears it Exactly what James is telling us to do and it must be done through doctrine and patience Paul said that the study of God’s Word is nourishment and training for ministry, 1Ti 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. Every Christian is to be instructed through “the words of faith and good doctrine” We must learn that there is a truth of “personal responsibility” presented in Scripture God works through the personal testimony of faithful Christians, 1Ti 4:16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee. Christians must continue in “the doctrine,” continue to follow the teachings of Christ That presents the truth of “Personal Responsibility” and “Personal Accountability” It is possible for the “righteous” to turn from his “righteous conduct” (backsliding) When he does, God will put a “stumbling block” before him, a chastening measure If he does not heed the warning of God but continues in his sinful conduct, “He shall die in his sin,” which is a premature physical death and not spiritual death John calls it “the sin unto death,” 1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. The saved will not lose Heaven, he will lose the opportunity to gain rewards in Heaven He will lose heavenly rewards, but he will be “saved as by fire,” 1Co 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. To convert the sinner is an important ministry of the church, which is to turn them--- from the error of his way “From the error of his way” well explains who the sinner is that James speaks of He is the sinner who has gone “his way,” “his way” is in-contrast to “God’s Way” The way of his sin is “error,” which means a delusion, deception, deceit It literally means, “wandering from the right path” The backslider is on a one-way street, going the wrong way Christians are instructed not to allow that to happen, Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; Peter tells us to be “steadfast” and don’t be “led away with the error of the wicked” 2Pe 3:17 Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. As Christians we are to minister to one another that we all might “grow in grace” 2Pe 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. Christians are to be spiritually strong and mature, warning the wicked of their error A backslider is one who has turned from God’s way of “truth” to go his own way of error Christians make a big mistake when they go their “own way” instead of “God’s way” The way of man is “error,” the way of God is “truth” James now says, that when a sinner turns from his error, he has been saved from death shall save a soul from death, What is the meaning of “save a soul?” “Soul” is often used in the sense of “life,” Jesus used the same word in, Mat 6:25 Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, (same word) what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life (same word) more than meat, and the body than raiment? Mat 2:20 Saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the young child's life. (same word) Mat 20:28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life (same word) a ransom for many. “Life” often refers to the physical life that eats, drinks, and wears clothes Within the physical life is the inner being of life that is responsible to God The life that is accountable to God is known as the soul So how are we to understand the word “death?” Does it refer to spiritual and eternal death? Is it the death that those who are lost will experience which is the Second Death? The words of James are addressed to Christians and not to those who are lost If “death” cannot be referring to spiritual or eternal death, it has-to be physical death In the previous verses (5:15-16) physical illness was the concern The thought was that if sin, was not confessed and healing did not occur there could be death Physical illness and physical death can be a divine discipline for unconfessed sins of a Christian The loss of the spiritual life of a Christian is never indicated in scripture But a premature physical death is found, 1Co 5:5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Continuing to follow Satan in a life of sin can result in a premature physical death God’s judgment of sickness and a premature physical death is found in the Corinthian church 1Co 11:30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 1Co 11:31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. 1Co 11:32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. Another account is that of Ananias and Sapphira Act 5:1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, Act 5:2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. Act 5:3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Act 5:4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. Act 5:5 And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. Act 5:6 And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. Act 5:7 And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. Act 5:8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Act 5:9 Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Act 5:10 Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. Act 5:11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. Hebrews 12 speaks of those who are “Disciplined by the Lord,” Heb 12:5 And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: Heb 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Divine Discipline is the evidence of “Divine Love,” God loves His children, Heb 12:7 If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Divine Discipline is a sign of sonship, Heb 12:8 But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, (illegitimate children) and not sons. The “sin unto death” follows the “Discipline of the Lord” for those who refuse to repent 1Jn 5:16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it. The “sin unto death” is a premature physical death Which means the loss of the opportunity to gain “Heavenly Rewards” Christians can gain heavenly rewards by converting the sinner from the error of his way And at the same time--and shall hide a multitude of sins. Sins that are brought before God and confessed are sins that will not be punished Turning from error and turning to the truth of God will result in a “Blessed Life” From the O.T. and the N.T. we find the blessed life as a-result of sins forgiven Psa 32:1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psa 85:2 Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Psa 103:12 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Rom 4:7 Saying, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. God bestows righteousness upon those who confess their sins The Christian who continues to live in sin allows Satan to advertise sin through them God will not allow that to continue, there will be a time when judgment comes When the Christian confesses sin and returns to the path of truth, sin is covered Satan can no longer find the sin to advertise in the life of the renewed Child of God Therefore a “multitude of sin has been covered” A similar phrase is found in, 1Pe 4:8 And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Peter was referring to the love and forgiveness on the human level Christian love toward one another forgives and forgets Love for one another will obey the instructions of James in 5:20 Love will seek to turn a sinner from the error of his way Love will seek to save a soul from death The church must minister through love to bring about healing and restoration Pro 10:12 Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. Jesus gave us an example of the ministry that James has presented to us Peter had previously made a claim of commitment to Christ, Mat 26:33 Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Joh 13:37 Peter said unto him, Lord, why cannot I follow thee now? I will lay down my life for thy sake. But at the trial of Jesus, listen to Peter, Joh 18:17 Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also one of this man's disciples? He saith, I am not. Joh 18:25 And Simon Peter stood and warmed himself. They said therefore unto him, Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said, I am not. Joh 18:27 Peter then denied again: and immediately the cock crew. Just as Jesus had said, Peter had denied Him three times, Joh 13:38 Jesus answered him, Wilt thou lay down thy life for my sake? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, The cock shall not crow, till thou hast denied me thrice. Peter had wandered away, he had denied the Lord, but look at how Jesus ministered to Peter Joh 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. Joh 21:16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Joh 21:17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Jesus had one question for Peter,“Do you love me?” If you love Jesus, you can serve him, Jesus had another word for Peter, Luk 22:31 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: Luk 22:32 But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. That is what James is telling us to do, seek and strengthen the brethren that they might serve Jesus How do we do it, share with the Christian who has turned from truth how much Jesus loves them Then challenge them with the question, “do you love Jesus?” How much do you love Jesus? I want us to leave with a song in our heart, HYMN #559 “Rescue the Pershing,” sing all 4 verses Listen close to the fourth verse, “Rescue the perishing, duty demands it” Strength for thy labor the Lord will provide Back to the narrow way, patiently win them Tell the poor wan-d’rer a Savior has died