Save an Errant Soldier

James 5:19-20 “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover a multitude of sins.”

            My Lord and Savior, I praise and thank You this morning for how You instruct me daily in how better to live with, and serve, my fellow Christians.  Lord, regrettably Christians have been known as, “The only army that shoots it’s wounded.”  When one of us strays, we tend to judge him and shy away as if somehow we might become contaminated if we stayed close.  How very sad that is.

            How many, Lord, might have been brought back and their sins covered if just one would go to them and help them on their way back?  All through Your New Testament, You instruct us in this way in, “Love one another as I have loved you” and, “Love your neighbor as yourself.”  Lord, is it because of “self” righteousness and pride that we do not minister to the errant one?  Do we think that if we are seen with the “sinner” we might lose our reputation of purity in the church and our circle of friends?  God forbid!  You are our example and You spent ALL of Your time here ministering to sinners, and when we come to You, You make us saints by Your blood alone.  We are yet sinners only saved by Your grace.

            This says that if we are willing to go to them and turn, “a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death”.  Are You speaking of the sin unto death here? Holy Spirit, instruct me, please.  I personally know of two such folks who at one point were ardent followers and turned their back on You and walked away from the faith.  As much as anyone can know the heart of another they seemed to be true believers.  With their actions they brought shame upon the church and Your precious name.  Both died what seemed to be early miserable deaths.  I know that if they were truly Yours they are in Heaven with You even so.

            Lord, may I be one that will go and try to bring one back if I see a fallen “soldier of the cross” and be like You make myself of no reputation, but having more love for others than for myself.