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.
James 5:19-20
“if anyone among you “_In house matter_”
“wanders from the truth”
“a sinner from his wanderings”
- _Moral_
- _Theological_
“someone brings him back” __turn around/ turn back__
“brings back a sinner”
TRUTH: God often uses His _preserving_ work through human means.
The acts of God. _Super natural_
- saves
- forgives sins
- restores relationships
The acts of man. _Natural_
- “brings back”
How can we be the human agents to “bring back”?
- Pray
- Don’t guilt them, encourage them. _Grace_
- Help them draw closer to Jesus right where they are.
- Make it easy (Be a bridge, not a toll road).
Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Galatians 6:1
Perseverance is a community project for W.C.C.
The final proof of who is a “brother/sister” is perseverance _IN_ faith NOT a profession _OF_ faith.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.
1 John 2:19
Truths about preserving of believers:
(Eternal Securities)
1. We are _justified _ by grace alone through faith, apart from “our” works.
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Ephesians 2:8-9
2. And those who are justified will be _glorified_.
And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.
Romans 8:30
3. But no one will be glorified or eternally saved unless they _continue_ in faith.
22 he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him, 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope of the gospel that you heard, which has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, became a minister.
Colossians 1:22-23
and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.
Matthew 10:22
4. God Himself will keep His children from finally falling away.
And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Philippians 1:6
who will sustain you to the end, guiltless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
1 Corinthians 1:8-9
5. And God Himself is our security, our keeping power, and God often uses his preserving work through His _children_.
13 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. 14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.
Hebrews 3:13-14
Don’t shoot the wounded!!