May 30
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JAMES 5
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. – James 5:19-20
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JAMES 5 WHEN YOU BRING BACK A SINNER FROM WANDERING
A poem inspired by these verses by ILMA
Do you know of anyone who has turned their backs to God?
Count it as an opportunity to gain rewards from the Lord
If someone who used to have faith gave it up
They must have met trials that broke that trust.
Pray that the Spirit will guide you how to bring them back
Without prayers and guidance, you won’t succeed to do that
No one can do what only the Spirit can, to lead back the lost
You will only be an instrument to regain the trust they once had.
When you bring back a sinner from wandering, you are being faithful
All believers are called to declare the love of God and his gospel
To do it in your own understanding will be unwise and harmful
To win back the wandering sinners, you need godly wisdom.
Blessed are they who care enough to bring back those derailed
Remember that Jesus died for all the lost and broken-hearted
If you are instrumental for the prodigal saint’s return
You will cover a multitude of sins for yourself as well.
Beloved, let us make it a concern of ours to lead those who are astray
Remember how the good shepherd left the ninety-nine for one lost sheep?
If the Lord God chose them to be part of his sheepfold, but lost track
Isn’t it our responsibility to have compassion for them and lead them back?
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REFLECTION
• How come many of us fear to lead back a sinner who has wandered away from their faith even though James talk about the great rewards we will gain from doing so?