Spend time in prayer and silence with God, asking Him to meet with you and speak to you.
Bible Reading
My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
– James 5:19-20
Devotion
James ends his epistle very abruptly. The fact that this was placed at the end of his letter indicates the importance it had for him. James is not dealing with the problem of how one is forgiven; his concern is with encouraging Christians to assume responsibility for helping and restoring one another. We are to help one another in our struggle against sin. As believers, everything we do must be redemptive in nature. Jesus gave up His life that we might be redeemed from our fallen nature. Therefore, in our interactions with others, we must always have restoration or redemption in mind. In the church, we must not allow the sinful conduct of others to be an excuse to ignore them. Instead, we should speak the truth in love in order to see them restored in their walk with God.
The Big Question
Does your heart yearn to see people restored and healed? Do you have enough relational equity to speak the truth in love to a brother/sister who is struggling with sin? Do you care enough about others to intervene when you see them walking down a path that is harmful to their spiritual walk? Are you struggling with sin in your life today? If so, who can you share your struggle with?
Conclude your time in prayer and silence, reflecting on what God revealed to you today.