James 5:19-20 (ESV) 19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 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.
If we think and meditate through the years of our lives, likely we can think of plenty of examples in which we knew what we were supposed to be doing, but we sought our own path. We turned away from the correct choice, whether through avoidance of consequences, arrogance, ignorance, or even out of curiosity. Not me though! I’m a pillar of obedience and virtue and innocence!!!
In seriousness, people “want stuff.” Whether those things are material things, like money, houses, cars, fine clothes or jewelry or electronics…or immaterial like companionship, superior jobs, etc. Each of us was created in the image of God Himself! Both in the physical sense, but also in the spiritual. Yet, there is one caveat to that.
You see, several thousand years ago, our predecessors Adam and Eve were deceived by the devil. This introduction of sin separated mankind from God. We were at one point, complete and made whole! Then after this fall, the souls of men and women fractured. The fracture runs so deep that the most critical aspect of our existence “fell out”, leaving a gaping hole.
Whether mankind realizes it or not, we try to fill that void. Whether it be with “stuff”, people, thoughts, experiences, or anything else in between. Yet there is only ONE thing, or in this case, person, who can fill that void. That being the Triune God! The fracture can certainly be filled. The broken made whole! Praise God for this!
However, unfortunately, mankind is prone to wander even after we have been made whole. Nothing is ever enough for our carnal hearts. So even after being transformed and made right with God, we are still very able to stray from Him and what is good and right. Many a believer has fallen back into sin. Whether old ones or new ones…there will always be temptation. We often times are led by our human heart, instead of our regenerated heart from God. Doing so will lead you back to a wandering pattern that will cause you to continue to seek for something to fill the void that is already filled!
Therein lies the biggest and most difficult battle of each of our lives. The battle between the old self and the new self. The sinful one and the godly one. In the Scripture above, James writes such a strong warning, paired with such a beautiful reminder. We are not only capable of wandering but some of us WILL deviate. Praise God He has not left us alone to face this battle. You see, God has given us fellow men and women to draw close to! To rely upon in addition to relying on Him!
God, so fully adoring when a soul is brought to Him, further celebrates when one flawed human brings another flawed human back towards God and away from the world! That same world that CANNOT fill the void they seek to have filled.
Some of us may be in this pattern right now. We don’t feel whole…or we feel “out of sorts.” We are seeking and wandering. My brothers and sisters, draw close to God. Draw close to others! If you are not part of one yet, seek a godly and love filled church and find others to walk with! Remain with God and do not deviate! There is nothing out there that can satisfy as God does.
Wanderer, wander no more.
SOLI DEO GLORIA!!!!
