A shepherd's task (2)

"My brothers, if any one of you goes astray from the truth, and someone brings him back, let him know that he who brings a sinner from his wandering will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins ." James 5:19, 20

We saw yesterday that among the tasks of a shepherd there is one of which we speak less often, that of bringing back to him the lost sheep. Now we know how much the Lord, the good shepherd, is working on this task. Perhaps we concluded our reading by thinking : now I will pray more and more with insistence for those who have gone away ! It is a first decision, praiseworthy and spiritual. Yet today's verse teaches us to take one more step.

The brother in question has gone astray from the truth, whether in doctrine or in practice. This means that he has been seduced by a false doctrine or that he behaves defectively. But, as the apostle John shows in his epistles, "to walk in truth" is not only to know and proclaim biblical truth accurately, but first to conform to its course. If, therefore, a Christian is led to live habitually according to the principles of the world, he also goes astray from the truth.

What is the attitude towards such a Christian ? To abstain from acting on the pretext of false excuses, following the example of the bad shepherds ? Worse still, judge him with contemptuous self-sufficiency ? Paul teaches us how to behave :

- "The slave of the Lord must not dispute, but he must be gentle towards all, capable of teaching, with support, gently restoring the opponents, in the hope that God, perhaps, Will give repentance to acknowledge the truth" (2 Tim.2: 24,25).

"Brothers, even if a man has let himself be surprised by some fault, you who are spiritual, raise up such a man in a spirit of gentleness, taking care of yourself, lest you also be tempted." (Gal. 6. 1)

This ministry is not easy, but it is great: it is like that of bringing an unbeliever to repent and confess his sins. Such a return is compared to the work of salvation which saves a soul from death and covers a multitude of sins. Not less !

Source (To pleasing the Lord)