17/09/2025
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ββBrethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.β β James 5:19β20
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βJamesβ final address to the βtwelve tribesβ¦ scattered abroadβ focuses on our role as believers in restoring brethren who go astray. It is possible for someone who has once tasted the saving grace of God to fall back into sin if he allows himself to be deceived by the devil. Just βas the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty,β the devil employs various strategies to make men stray from the path of righteousnessβand, unfortunately, many fall.
βWhen a brother errs from the truth, it is the duty of those who are standing firm to restore him to the truth of the gospel.
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β Galatians 6:1 puts it this way: βBrethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.β Restoration must always be done with sober self-reflection and in the spirit of meekness.
βWhile we are called to reach out to sinners and establish them in the kingdom, there is also a pressing need to ensure that those already in the fold are kept from backsliding. This requires that we remain active and watchful concerning the spiritual state of the brethren around usβwhether in our families, churches, or fellowships.
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βJesus, our perfect example, stood watch over His disciples. Most notably, Luke records in Luke 22:31β32: βAnd the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: but I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail notβ¦β This shows that in restoring prodigals to the kingdom, we must express our desire for their restoration through prayer.
βBeyond prayer, we must actively reach out to such souls. If we truly love them and desire that they spend eternity in heaven, we must follow the example of Christ. βFor God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Sonβ¦β God reached out to man by sending His Son to show us the way of salvation.
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βPaul the Apostle captured it beautifully in 2 Corinthians 5:18β20: βAnd all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.β
βFinally, James reflects the heart of Jesus: the salvation of all men and Godβs strong desire that no soul should perish in hell.
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β Jesus said in Matthew 18:10β14: βTake heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray? And if so be that he find it, verily I say unto you, he rejoiceth more of that sheep, than of the ninety and nine which went not astray. Even so it is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish.β
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βBeloved, the Lord is calling us to take responsibility for the brethren around us. Restoration is not optionalβit is a divine mandate. We are Christβs ambassadors, entrusted with the ministry of reconciliation.
βIf the mission of Jesus Christ was to save that which was lost, what then should be the mission of His followers? Will you commit to praying earnestly for those who may be slipping away from the faith? Will you reach out in love to the weak, the backslidden, and the hurting? Will you walk in humility and meekness, knowing that you too stand by grace alone?
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βLet us rise to this call today. As Christ left the ninety-nine to seek the one, so must we go after the lost sheep among us. Remember, your obedience may be the bridge that saves a soul from eternal death and hides a multitude of sins.