Studies in James

1. Studies in James Presentation 21

2. The Structure of the Book Introduction and Trials in the Christian Life (1: 1-8) Happiness in our Circumstances(1: 9-11) Trial, Temptation and Gift (1: 12-18) Hindrances to Fruitfulness(1: 19-21) Doers and Hearers (1: 22-25) True Religion (1: 26-27) Favouritism (2: 1-7) The Royal Law (2: 8-12a) Showing Mercy (2.12b-13] Faith and Works (2:14-26) Teachers and the Tongue (3: 1-12) True and False Wisdom, (3: 13-17) Peacemakers (3: 18) Defeat Through Lack of Submission(4: 1-6) Victory Through Submission(4: 7—10) Judging One Another (4: 11-12) Boasting of Tomorrow (4: 13-17) The Misuse of Wealth(5: 1-6) The Need of Patience (5: 7-12) Appropriate Responses (5:13-16) Restoring the Wanderer (5:17-20) Presentation 21

3. Restoring The Wanderer Chap 5v17-20 Presentation 21

4. Introduction Within the Christian family how responsible should we be for one another? We don’t want to be interfering busybodies, or be cast in the sinister role of "BIG BROTHER". On the other hand, we do not want to be indifferent or unconcerned. So far James has reminded us that we don’t live our lives in a vacuum but in relation to one another. He has warned against favouritism and against an uncompassionate heart. He has warned against the thoughtless use of our tongues. But James keeps the most important expression of our care until the very end of his epistle. We learn of our responsibility for one another's spiritual welfare. Presentation 21

5. Attitude To The Wanderer How do we react when we see a Christian brother or sister lose their interest in God. The word "wander" v19 doesn’t describe a sudden impulsive U-turn but a subtle loosening of ones doctrinal and moral moorings. It’s an insidious drifting away from God. It doesn’t begin with an outrageous and scandalous sin though it may end with that. It is easy to be critical of such people and to spend time analysing and judging them. We find it more difficult to be positive and practical. Presentation 21

6. Attitude To The Wanderer We can respond to the wanderer by saying, "Let them work it out for themselves". A response that covers up our fear of involvement? Or we might modesty say, "Who am I to confront someone with their sin, I too am a sinner?" But restoration is not the same as condemnation! If we have experienced God’s forgiveness we are qualified to deal gently and graciously with others. Some might say, “Let the minister do it, let the elders do it!” Whose job is it to restore such a person? Verse19 tells us “someone should bring them back”. Presentation 21

7. Attitude To The Wanderer James reminds us that we are all our brother's keepers. We have a responsibility for one another. If instead of barren, negative criticism we showed a loving, pastoral concern for those straying from the truth what good might we do? And in order to encourage us to take this ministry of restoration seriously, James speaks of its twofold effect: First, in v20 we read, "It will save him [the wanderer] from death". What does that mean? The answer is found in the well known story of the prodigal son. Presentation 21

8. Attitude To The Wanderer How did the father describe the prodigal’s return to the elder brother? "This brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found“. Luke 15v32. In what sense was the prodigal dead? In the far country he was dead to the blessings of the father; the father’s love, and the father's smile. He had severed his relationship with the father. BUT once that relationship was restored the father’s blessings returned. A contrast of such Magnitude that it is described as the difference between ‘death’ and ‘life’. Presentation 21

9. Attitude To The Wanderer And of course one only has to speak to Christians who after a period of serious backsliding are again reunited with their heavenly Father to discover that this is the very language they often use. “All these years I've been dead to the blessing of God and experience of his love but I'm alive to it now!” To restore a backslider is to rescue him from great spiritual loss. We dare not write off backslidden Christians for God does not write them off. To rescue such is surely one of the highest spiritual ministries. Presentation 21

10. Attitude To The Wanderer Secondly, we read in v20 that this restoration "will cover a multitude of sins". What does that mean? First it reminds us that the restored, penitent backslider is forgiven. God will not constantly remind him of his past sins. They have been thrown into the depths of the sea of God's forgetfulness. [also Ps 130.3] How the backslider needs to hear God say, "I will remember your sins no more". Presentation 21

11. Attitude To The Wanderer But another meaning can be taken from the word ‘cover’. It can also be translated as, "prevent". When a Christian turns his back on God and walks beyond the restraints of God's grace he is capable of the most heinous sins. Think of some of the sins David committed when he was out of God's will. But what might he have gone on to do if he had he not been restored? When we help restore the backslider, we help prevent them from shipwrecking their lives. Can you see how these two great incentives should encourage us to take the work of restoration seriously? Presentation 21

12. The Means of Restoration How are we to go about this work of restoration? First in Matt.18.15f. Jesus says; "If your brother sins go and reprove him between you and him alone, if he listens you have won your brother." There is an important principle in the phrase, "Between you and him alone". It’s important initially to preserve confidentiality. Don’t blab about it! There is an unhealthy martyr spirit that looks immediately to others for sympathy when they have been hurt. “Do you want to know what Reza did?" We may gain a certain amount of sympathy, but when we go public in this way we make the job of restoration much more difficult. Presentation 21

13. The Means of Restoration What if we are not personally involved in the hurt that another Christian has caused? cf. Gal.6.1 "Brothers if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you may also be tempted". The whole business of correction is to be done in a gentle spirit. An attitude that says, "there but for the grace of God go I", rather than, "I'd never be stupid enough to get myself into your mess". If we regard ourselves as superior to the one we are seeking to restore, then we will come out with the boxing gloves on in a challenging spirit eager to demonstrate our superiority. Presentation 21

14. The Means of Restoration The primary qualification Paul lays down for a “would be” restorer is "You who are spiritual" He is saying that mature Christians whose lives are controlled by the Holy Spirit and who have a deep experience of the grace and forgiveness of God are best suited to this task. It’s not the job for the brash, immature, young Christian to go and sort others out. This work needs to be carried out by those who know their own vulnerability and recognise their need to depend upon the grace of God. Hence, "Watch yourself or you may also be tempted." Presentation 21

15. The Means of Restoration Some Christians think, "Well I'm safer not to be involved, I'm not qualified for this work". But note the context of this passage is one of prayer! It is therefore no coincidence that we read in v16 "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective“. James then provides us with an example of a man – Elijah - whose prayer was instrumental in the restoration not just of one backslider but of a nation of backsliders. Presentation 21

16. The Means of Restoration Do you know the safest and most effective thing you can do for the backslidden Christian. Pray for them - "the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective" Righteousness, here, means the man who is right with God in the sense that he has laid before God everything that was wrong in his life; the man who has made full restitution for the wrongs he has done; the man who has sought the forgiveness of God and of those he has wronged. For then the lines of communication with God are not blocked. Such prayer is powerful and effective. Presentation 21

17. Effective Prayer: An Example And before we reply, "I'm not in Elijah’s league”, James reminds us that Elijah was a man just like us. He too had weaknesses and failings. No one can excuse themselves from praying for Christians who have lost their way on the grounds that this is a task for premier league Christians. Elijah prayed that God would bring Israel to her spiritual senses by sending the drought that he promised would be the result of their backsliding. The drought lasted over three years after which Israel was ready to listen to God. Presentation 21

18. Effective Prayer: An Example Its not easy to pray that kind of prayer. But it often takes a crisis of that magnitude to gain the attention of the spiritually insensitive. Where did the prodigal come to his senses? While he was living it up with the prostitutes and hosting expensive orgies? No! It was when he was in the pigsty, rejected by his fair-weather friends. It was that drought that brought him to his senses. It is no easy thing to pray for loved ones to be brought to an end of themselves but that is often the most effective prayer that we can make. Presentation 21

19. Effective Prayer: An Example Elijah's effective praying teaches a second lesson. God had promised Elijah that once Israel was brought to her spiritual senses that he would send rain. On Mt. Carmel, Israel chose to return to God. [1Kings 18.42ff] Elijah prayed but nothing seemed to happen. Seven times he sent his servant to look for rainclouds. He was certain that rain was on its way. Elijah refused to be discouraged by its non-appearance. When he was finally told that a little cloud about the size of a man’s hand could be seen. Elijah told the king to hurry home before the roads became impassable due to the flooding. Presentation 21

20. Conclusion This is a word of great hope and encouragement for those who have been praying for long years without apparent result. They have prayed for a Christian friend or loved one who has wandered far from God, some prodigal who is in a far country. Despite their earnest prayer they see no improvement, no change, no sign on the horizon of their return to their heavenly Father. What Should they do? Do what Elijah did,. Pray on and on and on! Believe that despite appearances to the contrary God will draw them back to himself. One of the most important tasks that we can ever engage in is in the restoration of those who have wandered far from God. Presentation 21

21. Template For James Presentation 01