If I’m picking up what James is laying down, then we’re part of the process. Just as the Father’s foreknowledge and election are part of the process; just as the Son’s incarnation is part of the process; just as the cross and the tomb and the empty grave clothes are part of the process; just as the Spirit’s life-giving agency and sanctification are part of the process; I think James is saying that, as believers, we too are part of the process of salvation.

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

(James 5:19-20 ESV)

Whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul . . . Like I said, sounds like we’re part of the process.

Brothers who have wandered from the truth. Sisters who have strayed from the way. Believers who backslide. Saints who sin. Go back and scan James’ letter, and that’s what it’s about. At least that was James’ church experience.

Temptation was real (1:13-14), anger was present (1:19-20). Filthiness and wickedness were being dealt with (1:21). Partiality was being practiced (2:1-7)), and living faith wasn’t (2:14-26). Tongues were on fire (3:1-12), and jealousy and selfish ambition simmered below the surface (3:14-16). Quarrels and fights were happening within (4:1-3) and a love for the world was evident without (4:4-5). Pride was present (4:6) and backbiting was practiced (4:11). The rich exploited the poor, and employers defrauded the employed (5:1-5). And all this, in the church. Say it ain’t so! Yeah, it was.

Well then, tell me that James’ congregation was unique. I don’t think so. Seems to me if you’re gonna declare sinners to be saints, even before they actual even know what it means to live like saints, and if you’re gonna leave the old nature of the flesh to cohabitate with the new nature infused by the Spirit, and if you’re gonna cover it all with blood that cleanses from all sin and grace that can’t be out-transgressed, then you’re gonna have some mess in the meantime. That’s why church elders are to pray and lift up (5:13-15). And that’s why church members are to engage and bring back.

Bring him back . . . That’s what I’m chewing on this morning. Bring back a sinner from wandering . . .

Seems it’s not just the shepherd who needs to retrieve the sheep when they wander off (Lk. 15:4), but us sheep have a responsibility for each other as well.

Peterson puts it well:

My dear friends, if you know people who have wandered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them. Get them back and you will have rescued precious lives from destruction and prevented an epidemic of wandering away from God.

(James 5:19-20 MSG)

If we’re expecting the church to be a place where we all have it together, then we’re going to shame the saint instead of seeking to help save them. If we’ve kidded ourselves to thinking we have it all together, then we’re going to condemn the wanderer rather than cover a multitude of sins. But if we expect a mess — not accept the mess but expect it — then we’ll also expect that as part of being “in fellowship” we’ll likely be involved in bringing back sinning saints and wandering wanderers. It’s a part of the deal.

Not just according to James, but Paul too.

Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

(Galatians 6:1-2 ESV)

Wandering away in sin, ensnared and tripped up by transgression, it’s kind of what happens in the church. It’s kind of the reality of people who are still people in progress. People who, though they may be more like Christ now than when they first believed, are not yet fully conformed to His likeness. Welcome to sanctification.

And guess what? We’re a part of each other being a work in progress. It comes with being in the family of God. It’s why everyone one of us needs the family of God. Turning others back is one aspect of our common ministry. Being turned back is one aspect of our common experience.

Don’t write them off . . . go after them.

Get them back.

By God’s grace. For God’s glory.