Digging Deeper 27 James 5:19-20

 Emotions are a powerful thing. There is a part of us that longs for that “feeling” of inspiration; we want to have our heart chords tugged at. That is why we go to sad movies, scary movies, exciting music concerts because somewhere inside of us is a desire to feel something. Excitement, happiness, even danger. We need to simply “feel” something”. I have seen folks that walk away from fellowship with Christ and fellow believers because “I just don’t feel anything”

Emotion is temporary there is nothing wrong with it, it simply does not last. But we have somehow transferred this need for an emotional feeling to worship. Worship certainly can be and I would even venture to say should be an emotional time but when corporate worship is over and the emotion wears off what do you have to get you through the week. When the feeling wears off, if you have not received God’s Word nothing has really changed, besides what could possibly make us more emotional and more excited than to experience God’s incredible instruction given to us through His word that will sustain us when we don’t “feel” so good. Let’s dig a little deeper in God’s Word.

James 5:19 My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth, and one turns him back, James 5:20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from error of his way will save his soul from death, and will cover a multitude of sin. In this final statement James refers to the truth, the truth here is the precepts of God’s Word so we could easily interpret this to say if anyone strays off into sinful patterns. But James’ concentration is more on the one that brings them back. The believer that brings the one back from there wondering in sin has saved their life. Notice that it does not say saved the flesh from death but the soul from death. It is a much greater death for the soul to die than the flesh. It is a serious thing when someone ventures off into a regular sinful pattern and it is an equally serious thing for us to go after them and guide them back to the fold.

The last phrase can be easily be misinterpreted “cover a multitude of sin” this statement does not indicate that if we do something good ie. Lead someone back to Christ that it will cover our sin. The statement simply refers to God’s covering sins with His amazing grace and forgiveness. Psalms 32:1 How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered!

We cannot be the life jacket but can and are called to be the one that throws it.

What do we believe about God? 

1.   God has chosen use His truth to save souls.

2.   God forgives!

3.   In God is all truth and strength.

What do we believe about ourselves? 

1.   It is vital that go after those that have strayed from the truth.

Covenant Church 210 Station Rd, Wilmington, NC 28405 (910) 395-5800