Last weekend, my son and I took a road trip to wander through North and South Dakota. Through teh magic of the internet, I was able to worship with my church online as the gifted Sherry Dickson shared about the power of prayer. It will forever be one of my most cherished memories to worship with my church family at the online service while I was driving through some of God's grandest and most glorious creation crossing the border from North to South Dakota. Pictures like the one posted here just do not do it justice. I guess you have to see it for yourself. I encourage everyone to take advantage of an online service whenever you need it. And I personally invite you to my church's online service where you will be loved and inspired. (You can worship with us live at our online service every week at 10:55 AM at this link - www.facebook.com/pgmc.dalton/live)
After my wanderings, it was good to be back this past Sunday in person. Here is the final message in our series on the Epistle of James from the final verses in this powerful letter.
James
5:19-20
19 My dear brothers and sisters, if
someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you
can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that
person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
Every year, we do something special. We celebrate Christmas in July, because December is such a busy month and the message of Christmas can get lost in it. So, we sing Christmas songs and remember the Christmas story in the middle of the summer. It's a cherished tradition of our congregation. It is fitting for Christmas in July to read James’ final verses; they are a message of hope, redemption, and love. They align beautifully with the heart of the Christmas story. For God’s love was shown in the birth of Jesus Christ, the ultimate bringer-back of wanderers.
This passage reveals two truths. First, Christians sometimes wander from the truth. James says:
“If someone among you wanders away from the truth…” Remember, James is writing to Christians. So, James is implying that Christians sometimes wander away. Nothing can steal your salvation or ever make God stop loving you; however, you can walk away from it by your own choice. God still allows us free-will, even after we are saved. And unfortunately, some Christians choose to walk away from God. So the first thing James reveals is Christians sometimes walk away from God’s salvation.
The second truth is this: we should seek to bring people back
when they wander. James’ concluding words remind us of the importance of community and the
responsibility we have for one another. When someone wanders from the truth, it’s our
duty to guide them back with love and compassion. This isn’t about judgment or condemnation, but
about saving someone from spiritual death and covering their sins with grace.
It's important to remember that the early Christians, to whom James wrote, faced severe persecution for their faith. Many of them remained steadfast despite immense suffering. This dedication could understandably lead to feelings of anger or resentment toward those who abandoned their faith under pressure. Yet, James urges them—and us—not to let these emotions prevent us from reaching out in love. Instead of holding on to bitterness, we are called to welcome back those who have strayed, recognizing the grace and forgiveness that God extends to all of us.
The Christmas story ought to be a perfect reminder
that none of us deserves God’s grace. Jesus left the glory of Heaven to be born as a helpless infant and ultimately
gave His life for us on the cross of Calvary not because we were such good people who deserved
it. No. Romans 5:8 tells us, “God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die
for us while we were still sinners.” We ought to extend the same grace to everyone
else—including Christians who backslide or wander away from the faith.
In our church family, we are called to look out for
each other. The journey of faith is not walked alone. We need each other’s support, accountability, and encouragement. We are indeed to "be our brother's keeper." The act of bringing someone back should be done with the same love and grace
that Christ showed us. It’s a call to
love in action, to reach out with compassion and understanding.
Christmas is the celebration of God’s great rescue mission for humanity. Jesus came into the world to bring back all of us who have wandered from the truth. Just as we are called to pursue those who wander, God pursued us through Jesus. The birth of Christ is God reaching out to bring us back into a relationship with Him.
In John 8:12, Jesus says, "I am the light of the
world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light
of life." Christmas celebrates that light coming into our dark world to guide us back to
the path of truth.
Consider John Newton, the author of "Amazing
Grace" (perhaps one of the best known and loved Christian hymns). John Newton was raised in a Christian household. John’s dad was a pastor and John became a Christian at an early age, but he abandoned his faith and led a life far from Christian values.
He became involved in the slave trade, living a life of moral and spiritual
bankruptcy. However, during a life-threatening storm at sea, Newton experienced what he
described as a profound spiritual awakening. This event marked the beginning of his return
to faith. Newton was assisted in is return to the Christian faith by several Christian
friends like Thomas Scott and Thomas [How-ess] Howeis who helped mentor Newton as
he returned to Christian faith. Newton eventually
left the slave trade and became an Anglican priest. Newton's journey from wandering to restoration deeply influenced his writing of
"Amazing Grace," a song that has touched countless lives with its
message of forgiveness and redemption.
Bringing back a wanderer is a gift of redemption. It’s a theme echoed every Christmas. The ultimate gift given to us is the gift of Jesus, who redeems us from our sins. Just as there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents (Luke 15:7), there is great joy in seeing a brother or sister restored to the faith.
It’s a moment of celebration, much like the joy we experience and celebrate at Christmas.
Conclusion
As we conclude
our journey through the Epistle of James, we are reminded our faith is not just personal’ it is communal. We have a role
in each other’s spiritual journeys. Therefore, let us be inspired by the greatest act of love—the birth of Jesus
Christ—who was born to reach out to all who have wandered from the truth.
May we carry the spirit of Christmas in our hearts
all year round, actively seeking to bring back the wanderers with love, grace, and compassion. In doing so, we not only save them from death but also celebrate the true
essence of Christmas—God’s redemptive love for all.
Let us pray. Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who came to bring us back to You. Help us to carry this message of love and redemption in our hearts and to reach out to those who have wandered from the truth. Fill us with compassion, grace, and the courage to bring them back into Your loving arms. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Invitation
Are there any
here today, who need to make a recommitment to Christ?
Maybe you have been a Christian, but at some point you wandered away.
Today, you can come back. Won’t you
come?
Pray to Jesus today and recommit your life to Him now.
Maybe you have never decided to follow Jesus and be a
Christian.
But maybe you feel like today you want to become a Christian and follow Jesus.
I can’t think of a better time than right now to do it.
Won’t you come? Pray to Jesus right now and tell Him you want to be a Christian.
Then tell a pastor or a close Christian friend.
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