Devotions on Discipleship

7 March 2004

TURNING SINNERS BACK TO THE LORD

The Problem Of Wandering From The Truth

One of the problems that Christians face today is straying from the truth of God's word. It is easy for people to drift away from their Biblical foundations. The Scriptures warn "Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth..." (James 5:19). It is highly possible for people to slacken in their walk with God. There are times when Christians may be rebellious and choose to follow their own ways rather than the ways of the Lord. In times of temptation, people can be drawn away by their sinful desires (James 1:14). People can be led astray by their own filthiness and wickedness. Our challenge is to turn people back from their sinful ways.

Worth Every Effort To Bring Sinners Back To The Lord

In ministry, it is worth every effort just to turn a sinner back to the Lord.

1. It Saves Souls From Spiritual Death

"Let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death" (James 5:20). It is important that we understand what is at stake in our ministering to wayward Christians. Souls are on the line. When a person is corrected and turned from his wrong ways, we are also saving that soul from certain spiritual death. James had explained how "when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death" (James 1:15). When a person continues in sin and allows it to become a way of life, spiritual deadness will come. When we see that the state of souls are on the line in ministry, it should drive us to reach out to "lambs" who have lost their way.

2. It Brings About Forgiveness Of Sin

"... and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:20). When people are turned from their wayward ways, there will be forgiveness of sin from the Lord. The Lord will cover a multitude of sins. It will stop Christians from sinning further. The phrase "multitude of sins" explains very clearly the extent of our sinful state when we wander from God's truths. The Lord will remember our sins no more when we return to Him.

Being That Someone Who Brings People Back To The Lord

"Someone turns him back..." (James 5:19). Our challenge is to be that someone who will bring straying Christians back to the Lord. We must care enough to turn people back to the right way. "He who turns a sinner from the error of his way..." (James 5:20). We are to help them see the errors of their ways. Let's seek to be concerned enough to tell people where they are wrong. The souls of people are at stake. There is no greater joy than when we see people reconciled and restored to the Lord's fellowship. It is worth every effort to reach out to those who have gone astray. Let's do our part to turn them back to the Lord and His ways.

A-P Mitchell Tan