Devotional Index

April Devotional

James 5:19-20 "Brethren, 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."

In this world of self-gratification, there seems to be an endless number of sinners, not only "erring from the truth" but also causing other "souls" to suffer the consequences of their sin. At times, it seems that the number of people going the way of error and death are increasing at a rate that is far beyond our ability to help. The verses that I have chosen are wonderful ones to focus on, especially for all of us in the business of helping people.

James, talking to fellow believers, understands this dilemma of trying to help others. I'm sure that during his day, he and many others felt overwhelmed by the sin they were continually surrounded with. Some of this sin was also coming from inside the Church, as we can see from the rest of the epistle. But here, in the last two verses of the book he had just penned, by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, James seems to be trying to encourage the believers. He not only challenged them to do all of the things he had just written about, but also to see the benefit of helping others to do them as well. He makes the plea here for one-on-one discipleship.

Let us notice a few particular phrases in James 5:19-20. First, "if any one of you, " and also "and one convert him." There are a few things that need to be pointed out about this one-on-one approach to helping sinners. The truth is that any human, saved or not, is capable of doing things that they never thought they would. Many times those sins affect others, whether the sinner is a Christian or someone just living life for themselves. The Bible reminds us in Galatians 6:1 that when we restore someone else, we need to be sure to consider ourselves lest we also be tempted! I believe this is one reason James uses the phrase "if any one of YOU."

The next important thing to point out is the reference to "ONE of you." Churches worldwide have had a change of focus over the past few years. It seems that anyone willing to minister to a small group is considered by many as a failure. It is interesting for us to note that throughout the Bible we see, in many different ways, that the Lord still cares about, and focuses on, the "ONE." It should be enough for all of us to remember that the Lord warned against the way of the many verses the way of the few, when He said that the way to heaven would be found only by a few. Christ also did much of His ministering one person at a time. We should take great encouragement in the directive of James, as he tries to remind us that if we can help to turn even ONE sinner from the error of their way, we can hide a MULTITUDE of sins.

Not only are we told that we can hide a multitude of sins, but we are also reminded that we may be able to save a soul from death! This seems to be quite fitting when we focus on the abortion industry and it's victims. There are innocent victims out there that we may be able to save from death. We need to be convinced that the Lord still cares about the ONE that we may help save. Let us never forget that we were not the only ones who were "fearfully and wonderfully made!"

After saying we were made this way, Psalm 139 continues with "How precious also are thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!" Our Lord and Saviour has precious thoughts about all of His little creations. We know this is true from His word, so we should do everything we can to protect what He loves.

Lastly, let me ask you if the multitude of your sins have been hidden. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His blood to do just that for you and for me. The Bible puts it this way in the first chapter of Hebrews, "...when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high." In the book of Romans we are told that we sinners can be justified from our sins when it says, "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are past," Even if the sins of your past include abortion, the blood of Jesus Christ is pure enough and strong enough to hide the multitude of your sins.

— Pastor Fred Weiss
Madison Baptist Church, Madison