James 5:19-20- The Importance Of The Church In Our Sanctification

James 5:19-20 says, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”

The thesis of James 5:13-20: The church is a means of grace through which God provides help and protection to God’s people who help rescue believers who are not remaining steadfast and are drifting away from the truth.

Recently I watched a documentary about a large cruise ship that stuck on a rocky reef. The rocks tore an opening in the hull of the ship and the waves caused the ship to flounder on its side. One of the tragic parts of this story was that the captain abandoned the boat during this tragedy. He abandoned the ship while there were still thousands of people on board whose lives were in danger.

When we began to study the Book of James we learned that James had been the pastor of many of these Jewish Christians. Because of persecution, many in his congregation had scattered abroad to live in other places. (1:1) These Christians made it to their destinations but they were still facing many dangers. This is true for every Christian because we are sojourners, pilgrims, and exiles in this world.

These Jewish Christians were scattered all over but James had not forgotten them. James could say with the apostle Paul in 1 Thessalonians 2:17: “We were torn away from you, brothers...in person but not in heart.” Therefore, when James sat down to write this letter he knew that he could not abandon them. He had an obligation to rescue them from the danger of sin.

One of the reasons James has this obligation towards these believers is because he knows that in Christ Jesus all believers are part of the same family. Look at the first two words of our text where James says, ‘My brothers’.

The phrases ‘my brothers’ or ‘my beloved brothers’ are used exclusively by James in the first three chapter of this letter. James has a tremendous love for these believers and he feels that he has a personal responsibility for their spiritual well-being.

These qualities that we see in James are to be shared by everyone in the churches for each other. Recently I was talking to a man who has four brothers and he said to me, “I think that I am the glue that holds us all together. I am pretty sure that if I was not around our family would fall apart.” On the one hand, I appreciate the fact that this man holds his family together. On the other hand, the fact that he does this alone is sad.

Similarly, James is coming to the end of this letter and he is leaving these congregations in a much healthier state than when this letter first arrived. But as this letter ends James knows that these believers will have to watch and help each other as he has done for them.

In the first three chapters, James always said, ‘my borthers’ but in James 4 & 5 he begins to simply use the word ‘brother’ more. When he does this he applies it to their relationship to each other. It seems to me that in James 4 & 5 he is trying to cultivate this strong sense of family identity and responsibility for each. It has been easy to see as we have read this letter that this conviction is lacking among these Christians by the sins they are committing.

Here are some examples of how James uses this word as he attempts to cultivate this sense of family among them.

• In James 4:1 James asks, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights among you?”

• In James 4:11-12 he writes, “Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law...But who are you to judge your neighbor (brother).”

• In James 5:9 James writes, “Do not grumble against one another, brothers…”.

As we come to James 5:13-20 the intensity of this strong connection between believers appears more quickly. For example,

• Verse 13- “Is anyone among you suffering?”

• Verse 13- “Is anyone [among you] cheerful?”

• Verse 14- “Is anyone among you sick?”

• Verse 16- “Therefore confess your sins to one another and pray for one another…”.

Now in verse 19 James ends by saying, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wanderings will save his soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.”

In verse 19 James describes the type of person who can wander from the truth and into sin. This person is a brother or sister, they are among them in the church, and this person wanders away from the truth. He says, “My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth…”.

I would like to consider these three things and ask you to consider these traits in the highest possible way. First, James is speaking about a ‘brother or sister’ who wanders off. Throughout this letter there are descriptions of what it means to be a ‘brother or sister’. Let’s consider just a few examples.

• A ‘brother or sister’ knows the truths of the gospel, believes these truths, and is exhorted to remain steadfast in the truth. James 1:2-4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith (concerning the Gospel) produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

• James says in James 1:12, “Blessed is the man (brother) who remains steadfast (in the faith) under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” (This verse applies to 5:20 as we see that real saving faith remains steadfast to the end when they will receive the crown of life.)

• In James 1:16-18 James writes, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of His own will He has brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” (This applies to v.19 as we see believers can be deceived. Also notice that even though sin always leads to death, God had intervened and by His will He saves us.)

• A ‘brother or sister’ in Christ is someone who receives with meekness the implanted word which is able to save their souls. (1:19-21) James says, “Know this, my beloved brothers and sisters: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (This applies to our text because we see the importance of humility to receive the Word which is able to save our souls.)

• A ‘brother and sister’ is someone who has been chosen by God to be heirs in the kingdom of God. James said in James 2:5, “Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which He has promised to those who love Him.” (It is encouraging to see that a Christian is chosen by God, chosen to be rich in faith, chosen to be heirs of the kingdom, all of this is by faith in God’s promise which produces a response of love in us. Psalm 116)

• A ‘brother and sister’ is someone who is patiently waiting for Jesus to return. James says in James 5:7-8, “Be patient, therefore, brothers and sisters, until the coming of the Lord...You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.”

Second, James says that the person who has wandered off was from ‘among’ them. Question: What does that word mean to you?

Observation: Our society has a very low view of what it means to be ‘among’ God’s people. Among the majority of professing Christians in America there is little commitment, sacrifice, and obligation towards the church family. This was not James’ sense of what it meant to be among God’s people. Many people say they have a faith but do not display much obedience to God's commands.

Anyone who is a Christian (1:18) is ‘among’ the believers and they ought to have a strong desire to be among His people in the church. Let’s look at examples of how this word has been used in this letter.

• In James 2:1-7 James speaks of how Christians are to assemble together among themselves without showing partiality (2) or making distinctions among ourselves.

• In James 3:1 we read that there should not be many teachers who teach ‘among’ God’s people. To illustrate the danger of our words James goes on to speak about our tongue which is ‘among our members’. (James 3:6) Therefore, like Paul, James believed Christians are all different parts of one body. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27) Like Peter, James believed Christians are all stones that make up one building. (1 Peter 2:5)

• James asks in James 3:13, “Who is wise and understanding ‘among’ you?”

• James asks in James 4:1, “What causes quarrels and what causes fights ‘among’ you?” James then discusses that these things happen because we are adulterous and become friends with the world. So being ‘among’ the saints is to be called out of and made distinct from the world.

• In James 5:13 James writes, “Is anyone ‘among’ you suffering?..Is anyone ‘among’ you cheerful?...Is anyone ‘among’ you sick? Let him call on the elders of the church…”. Again we see that to be among God’s people is to be a member of the visible church where they submit to the leaders, observe the ordinances, use their gifts, etc.

The word ‘among’ speaks of a person who has repented of their sins and been made a new creation in Christ Jesus. (1:18) Jesus is the head of the church and all believers are members of His body. Those who are among the visible church are not to forsake the gathering together of the saints. (Hebrews 10:25) They are to to be a committed member of the church, regularly worshiping God and serving God’s people, and submitted to the elders of that church as they serve them faithfully. (CF: 1 Cor. 5:1-5; LBC 26)

Third, James says that the Christians who have been ‘among’ them are now wandering off from ‘the truth’. Notice that there is a definite article before the word ‘truth’. Therefore, James is thinking about the truth that is found in the Scriptures. He is also talking more specifically about the truth of the gospel which has saved them. (1:18)

If a person is wandering away from the truth we can assume that they had at one time affirmed the truths of scripture, identified with these truths, been willing to suffer for it, but now they are wandering into error. At one time they professed their agreement with the doctrines found in the Scriptures but now by their profession and actions denying these things.

These three things give us a picture of a person who could be one of the strongest members of this church. Every day a Christian fights spiritual battles and many times these battles are won, but sometimes we can begin to lose the battle and begin to wander from the truth which can have terrible consequences.

• Hebrews 2:1- “We must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it.”

• Hebrews 3:12-13- “Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called ‘today,’ that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.”

Because of the danger of sin we all have a responsibility to help anyone who begins to wander from the truth. We are to go after that ‘brother or sister’, the one who has ‘assembled with us’, and the one who had professed ‘the truth’ with us. We do this in the hope that God may grant the Christian repentance and bring to completion the good work begun in them. (2 Timothy 2:25; Philippians 1:6)

James began this letter by talking about the danger of sin. (James 1:12-15) Now he closes this letter by reminding us that the danger of sin is always present. Paul knew the danger of an entire church which began to wander away from the truth, “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you in the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel...O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?...My little children, for whom I am again in the anguish of childbirth until Christ is formed in you!” (1:6;3:1;4:19) In Revelation 2&3 Jesus comes to His churches and warns them about the danger of sin and the need to repent. Therefore, let us not think it strange that this sort of thing happens to a believer, someone who is among us, and to someone who professed the truth.

As we have studied this letter James has taught us about the danger of sin. James taught us that “each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (1:14-15) James has confessed, “We (James includes himself in this statement) all stumble in many ways.” (James 3:2) James has spoken very boldly to these Christians about sin. In James 4:5 he said, “You adulterous people who want to be friends with the world! You are setting yourselves up as God’s enemies.” (4:4-5) James has admitted that to break just one of God’s laws is to have become guilty of breaking them all! (2:10)

First, since James had such a high view of the danger of sin we should not be surprised that he has talked so clearly about the cure for sin. After speaking about how sin always leads to death James told us what God has done for all those who will repent and believe in the Gospel. In James 1:16-18, “Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of His own will He has brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.” Only the gift of justification, regeneration, adoption can save us from our sin. If we are deceived about God's great salvation then we will experience all sorts of problems as we will see in verse 20.

Second, since James had such a high view of the danger of sin we should not be surprised that he has also talked very strongly about the need for repentance and faith in the gospel for our sanctification.

James wrote, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.” (4:6-10) He wrote these words to Christians! Or in James 5:16 James said, “Confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.”

Let’s appreciate two things about verse 20. First, James is encouraging every believer that when they bring back a sinner who has wandered away from the truth that they have saved their soul from death and have covered a multitude of sins. Second, this encouragement also comes with a sobering warning about what happens when a believer wanders from the truth. Such a person is sinning and their soul is in peril.

When we seek to rescue someone whom we believe to be a believer who has wandered from the truth we should be encouraged that if that person has a true saving faith they will respond rightly to God’s promises, His commands, and His warnings. (LBC 14) James said from the very beginning of this letter that those who have a true faith will remain steadfast, “Blessed is the man, who remains steadfast (in faith) under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love Him.” (2:12)

Observation: When dealing with Christians we need to discern what would best profit them: promise, command, or warning? When dealing with people who needs to remain steadfast under trial James reminded them of a promise (1:12;5:7). When trying to rescue a believer from sin James gives them a warning (5:19-20). When calling out sin James command them to repent and look to the LORD (James 4:7-10).

Temporary faith, however, will not be able to remain steadfast and be proven to be perfect, complete, and lacking nothing, (1:4) There is a profession of religion that is worthless and profits a man nothing. (James 1:26) This person will boast of a faith but they cannot produce the works and fruit of the Spirit. James says, “Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?” (2:20)

In our discipleship plan we stress that ‘Sin Is Our Greatest Danger’ for two reasons.

• First, it leads to physical death, spiritual death, and the second death. The Christian has been given eternal life through repentance and faith in Christ. Therefore, I do not think that that we have to think that the words ‘save his soul from death’ refers to a person loosing their salvation. Salvation is a gift by God’s will and He does not change. (James 1:12-18) James has written this letter to do these very things to these congregations.

• Second, we learn that ‘Sin Is Our Greatest Danger’ because it leads to physical, spiritual, and relational breakdown. (1 Corinthians 11:30-32; Hebrews 12:5-11) Could it be that this is what James is referring to in James 5:19-20. In the larger context, 5:13-18, James has talked about sin among Christians that needs to be confessed for spiritual and physical healing. Therefore, couldn’t this still be the topic in verse 20 since he has stressed the type of person who is wandering as a Christian, among them, and a professor of truth.

In our text James uses a ‘third class condition if clause’, “If anyone among you wanders from the truth”. This type of clause states a future probability and possibility but not a certainty that something like this will happen to everyone. In other words, some Christians may wander away from the truth of the Gospel and need to be rescued but not all will. This makes me ask, “Is there a way to protect ourselves so that it will be more unlikely that this could happen to us?”

I would like to point out a few things from Psalm 116 that may be a helpful for us to consider. Notice that the psalm begins with these words, “I love the LORD” (1). The psalmist says in verse 2, “I will call upon the LORD as long as I live”. In verse 9 the psalmist says, “I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.” The psalmist says in verse 16, “I am Your servant”. In verses 13-18 the psalmist makes four “I will” statements to the LORD.

The psalmist loves the LORD, he is passionate, zealous, and has dedicated himself to serve the LORD with all his heart for the rest of his life. He can only be like this in any meaningful and lasting way because he has received the grace, righteousness and mercy, of God. (5)

The psalmist describes what the LORD has done for him in verses 3-4, “The snares of death encompassed me; the pangs of Sheol laid hold on me; I suffered distress and anguish. Then I called on the name of the LORD: ‘O LORD, I pray, deliver my soul.’” He says in verse 6, “...when I was brought low, He saved me.” He also testifies in verses 8-9, “For you have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling; I will walk before the LORD in the land of the living.”

Many commentators believe that this is the testimony of someone who has been saved from their wandering and from their sins. (James 5:19-20) One of the reasons they would say this is because in verse 7 the psalmist says, “Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the LORD has dealt bountifully with you.” At some point the psalmist had listened to liars (11) and he wandered away from God and His truth and his peace left him. (8-9) He got so far into these things that without the LORD’s help he could not save himself. In his despair he cried out in faith, “I am greatly afflicted...all mankind are liars...O, LORD, I pray deliver my soul!” (10-11) He testifies, “The LORD preserves the simple; when I was brought low, He saved me.” (6)

The psalmist returned to the LORD and then from that moment on he dedicated himself to living according to the truth. How do I know this? In verses 12-19 you read the words of a man who sought to display in word and deed his gratitude for what the LORD had done for him. He had once left God and His people but now he has returned. (12-14, 18-19). His soul is at peace and even though the psalmist had just spoke of the terrors of death and the grace; now, after having received grace, mercy, and righteousness, he is no longer afraid of these things. He says in verse 15, “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints.”

Psalm 116 gives us a picture of a man who wandered away and then realized once he returned that to keep this from happening again he needed to remain steadfast in the gospel. He wanted to fulfill his vows made at baptism. He wanted to raise the cup of salvation during communion. He wanted to be among God’s people. He wanted to express his heart of thankfulness in the congregation and give the LORD praise.

In Psalm 116 the LORD is at the center of this man’s words and deeds. There is no mention of the saint that the LORD used to bring him back. This is a beautiful part of this psalm. I have known people who praised their doctors, their pastors, or someone else and never mentioned how God was behind it all. Perhaps this is the way James wants it to be in the church and this is why he says, “If someone brings a wandering believer back, let him know what he has been used of the LORD to do.” It is enough that we are simply servants who water and reap while the LORD causes the growth. To him be all the glory. Amen.