Lesson 35. The Reclamation Of Straying Christians (James 5:19-20) PART 2

by John Lowe
(Woodruff, S.C.)

a) It is said: Great is his excellence who persuades a sick person to turn from his sins.

b) Great is his reward who brings back the pious into the way of the blessed Lord.

c) By his hands, iniquity is not committed, who turns many to righteousness; i.e., God does not permit him to fall into sin. What is the reason? Ans. Lest those should be found in paradise, while their instructor is found in hell.

This doctrine is both innocent and godly in comparison with the other. It holds out a motive to diligence and zeal, but nothing farther. In short, if we allow anything to cover our sins besides the mercy of God in Christ Jesus, we shall err most dangerously from the truth, and add this moreover to the multitude of Our sins, that we maintained that our puny acts of comparative righteousness could purchase the gift of God.

d) As one immortal soul is of more worth than all the material creation of God, every man who knows the value of his own should labor for the salvation of others. To be the means of depriving hell of her expectation, and adding even one soul to the Church triumphant, is a matter of infinite moment; and he who is such an instrument has much reason to thank God that he was ever born. He who lays out his accounts to do good to the souls of men will ever have the blessing of God in his own. Besides, God will not suffer him to labor in vain or spend his strength for nothing. At first, he may see little fruit; but the bread cast upon the waters shall be found after many days: and if he should never see it in this life, he may take for granted that whatsoever he has done for God, in simplicity and godly sincerity, has been less or more productive.

General Notes

1 Wanders from the truth – Stray away from the Gospel of Christ, and one convert him - reclaim him from his error and bring him back to the fold of Christ.