Today in Digging Deeper we looked at James' final words in his letter (5:19-20) as he talked about restoring fellow believers. Here are some additional Scriptures on restoring others, plus a bonus quote at the end of this post.
When I say to a wicked man, "You will surely die," and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. [19] But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.
[20] Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die. Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin. The righteous things he did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. [21] But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin, he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself.
But if you do warn the wicked man to turn from his ways and he does not do so, he will die for his sin, but you will have saved yourself.
Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. [2] Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.
The John Phillips Commentary has this warning against backsliding:
A famous violinist was asked how long he practiced every day. He replied that he spent ten to twelve hours a day with his instrument. "What would happen if you slacked off?" he was asked.
"After one day," he said, "I would know it. After two days, the conductor would know it. After three days, the orchestra would know it. After that, everybody would know it."
That is how backsliding works too. Only the backslider, if he is careful, can deceive people for much longer than that. However, he does not deceive himself or the Lord.
