Devotionals

Wandering Away

by Stephen Wong
01/29/21
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“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 over a multitude of sins.”       James 5:19-20 NIV

I remember when I learnt how to surf as a young child. It was such a thrilling experience for me to learn how to balance on a board for the first time. During one time at the beach, I was so excited to catch a big wave that I didn’t realize it when I accidentally wandered into dangerous waters. Thankfully, a nearby instructor quickly noticed my carelessness and guided me back to safety.

In the conclusion of his letter, James mentions a situation involving a believer who has wandered away from the right path into dangerous territory. In this situation, he does not expect Christians to simply remain indifferent but assumes that they will seek to bring the wandering believer back into the safe waters of God’s truth. In doing so, this will result in the straying believer being saved and their sins forgiven (James 5:20).

In our culture today, many of us in the church are reluctant to confront the sins of a fellow brother or sister in Christ. We are too afraid of offending the other person or of appearing too judgemental. Indeed, it is right for us to be slow to make judgements of one another. However, as James indicates, there is a time when it is our responsibility to confront a fellow believer in the habit of sin.

Of course, when we seek to bring back a wandering believer, it will take God’s wisdom to know how to best confront them and which people in the church should do this. Furthermore, any effort we do make should always be motivated by love. However, we cannot ignore the need to care for one another’s spiritual wellbeing. How will we respond when we see others wandering away from the church or being drawn into unrepentant sinful habits? Will we remain passive as they continue to slip further away from shore or will we seek to do all we can to lovingly guide them back to the right path? 

As we seek to bring back wandering believers, let us continue to pray that God will give us the wisdom we need for each situation so that we can act in love and gentleness (Galatians 6:1). May we also find the courage in him to have the difficult confrontations where necessary, trusting that God can use our efforts to save a fellow brother and sister from the path that leads to death.  

Lord God,

We thank you for the gift of your church and for brothers and sisters in Christ who can look out for the spiritual wellbeing of one other. We pray that as we continue to live for you, please teach us to be alert for any believers who are straying from your Word. In these situations, please give us the wisdom and courage to remind those believers of your truths and lovingly guide them back to safety. Please open their hearts that they would humbly accept correction and be restored to you. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen