You Are Your Brother’s Keeper
During these months of COVID-19 isolation, too many Christians have used the inability to worship weekly in a brick-and-mortar church as an opportunity to revert to pre-salvation lifestyles. It seems that their behavior was held in check by weekly worship and fellowship with the saints. They have resumed drinking alcohol, smoking (a variety of products), fornicating, cursing, etc., etc., etc.
This phenomenon is not new. When the Christian Jews were forced to scatter from Jerusalem and could not visit the temple, study at their old synagogue, or hear words of wisdom from Peter, Matthew, and John, they strayed from the truth they knew.
You see, some Christians’ relationship with Jesus is very fragile and must be strengthened by stronger Saints, lest they fall away from the faith. As it is now in the 21st Century, it was so with First Church. James, the brother of Jesus, concerned by this behavior, ended his letter to the diaspora with the following mandate:
“My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20, NIV).
Let’s look at James’ mandate carefully and get a good understanding:
My brothers and sisters – James is talking to fellow Christians.
If one of you should wander from the truth – “Wander” could mean that the person was led away from truth by someone else or it could mean the person went off on his own following worldly lies or fleshly desires. The truth is the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the lifestyle He taught and demonstrated.
And someone should bring that person back – Many Christians feel they have a choice if they want to reach out to the wandering brother or sister or not. Fearing rejection, they say, “Why try, he will not listen anyway.” Or they give up too easily, “I tried to talk to her, but she said she didn’t want people in her business. So, Oh well!”
But Paul taught the Galatians that those who are spiritually mature have a duty to try to restore the spiritual wanderer and he explained the mindset the restorer must have:
“Brothers, if anyone is caught in any sin, you who are spiritual [that is, you who are responsive to the guidance of the Spirit] are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness [not with a sense of superiority or self-righteousness], keeping a watchful eye on yourself, so that you are not tempted as well. Carry one another’s burdens and in this way you will fulfill the requirements of the law of Christ [that is, the law of Christian love]” (Galatian 6:1-2, Amplified Bible). The love of the Lord should compel Christians to do all that they can to help the wayward Sister or Brother (the backslider) to reestablish fellowship with God.
James explains what happens when the spiritually strong help the spiritually weak cry out to God for forgiveness and restoration:
“remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:20).
How wonderful to be able to serve God by encouraging our brethren to live the truths they know. But I do want to relieve you of feelings of failure if they reject your outstretched hands and words of compassion and love. The final decision is theirs to make. Even God Himself will not force a person to serve Him.
However, if they do receive your encouraging words and come back into fellowship with their Heavenly Father and resume assembling with the saints, please know that “you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God” (James 5:20, Message Bible).
Share your experience of lovingly encouraging someone to come back to God. How did they respond? Join the conversation.
NOTICE: THIS ENDS OUR STUDY OF THE LETTER OF JAMES. I HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED STUDYING IT WITH YOU. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED IT TOO.
Dr. Dorothy J. Haire
Author & Blogger
Both church planter and pastor of Bread of Life Christian Church for the last 18 years, Dr. Haire is a beloved mother and successful author. Empowered to deliver the word of God to His people, Dr. Haire uses her digital platform to educate and develop Christian communities that are rooted in the word of Christ.
Things are so interesting in this season in which we live. But we must continue to encourage our Brothers and Sisters to come back to Christ. They must hold on to the journey of Christ.
Amen!
Thank you for reminding us of what we have all as Christians been challenged to do. It is so easy to think someone’s will do it.
Your reminder is “no excuses” for the body of Christ.
Amen!
Many of the saints, including one of my previous assemblies, thought that the church was the “brick and mortar” place. This is so untrue. The church is the people and / or saints. We still have to be our brothers’ keeper, whether we have service via the building or cyberspace.
Amen
Excellent series!
Now the challenge is to continue executing these biblical mandates in the case study of real life as you’ve so beautifully and lovingly expounded on from James.
Thank you for using your gift of teaching to edify the body!
P. Monroe. One of the most painful exprriences I have ever had on my journey was encouraging a back slidder to come back to. the Lord. They know everything!! They have all the answers. But most I have spoken with were full of Pride!! Shoot your best shot cause they avoid you after that! Prayer will fix it!!😍
Our task to encourage a “wanderer “ is easier said than the efforts that must be placed to encourage them to return to Christ. We must remember, the goal is not only to get the person to worship Jesus again, but to have soul salvation! Continue praying and talking with the person and place the outcome in God’s hands!
Thank you, Dr. Haire, for such a timely message. It’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of life that a reminder such as this is needed.
Dr. Haire thank you for your blog
as we followed you in the book of James. I look forward in following your upcoming blog. These blog have been a blessing to me.
God bless you!
Judy Wilson ware
Thank you for this reminder. Fulfilling the mandate can be a challenge, but one has to continue to pray and communicate.
Thank You Dr. Haire , Yes we are our brother’s keeper. This time of COVID-19 is a perfect time to exemplify what every Christian knows I John 4:8 “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love’.
exemplify 1 John 4:7 “Let us love one another, for love is from God, and whosoever loves has been born of God and knows God. I John 4:8 “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love’. We are blessed to be a blessing.
Very timely message. Especially during this time of COVID-19, some are not copying well and need support. It is our duty to be there for them…we must be the keeper!
God bless!
Oh ,yes I have enjoyed every one. Thank you Dr. Haire for remaining,me to reach out to a sister or brother who has backslide and encourage them to come back to the lord. Iam my brother and sister keeper. Thank you for sharing your gift.