Together in Christ: 'Caring Enough to Reclaim' — James 5:19-20

Monday, June 2, 2025

My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

— James 5:19-20 NLT

Key Thought

Yesterday, our verses on relationships reminded us how deeply God wants all who are away from Him to come home to Him. God longs to throw a party to celebrate the saving or reclaiming of any lost person. Saving lost people was so important to the Father that He sent the Son to demonstrate His love and give His life to ransom each person from sin, death, and hell. [1] Jesus' last words recorded by Matthew before Jesus returned to the Father were to challenge us to go and share His good news and make disciples of all people from all nations. [2] Reaching the unsaved is urgent, necessary, and close to the heart of God. But what about those precious people once close to God who are now distant?

In the epistle we call Hebrews, the Holy Spirit reminds us that once passionate believers can "drift away" [3] and be "deceived by sin and hardened against God." [4] This leads their hearts to become "evil and unbelieving" and leads them to "turning ... away from the living God." [5] Our job is to watch out for these precious people and reach out to them and invite them home to our spiritual family and their Father in heaven. [6]

As our verses today show, James, the half-brother of Jesus, was passionate about reclaiming those who have drifted away, just like His brother Jesus is. Today, our verses remind us that joy awaits when we reclaim those drifting and being deceived and hardened. While entering a conversation with such people can be challenging, sometimes even painful, the potential joys and eternal benefits of reclaiming the wanderer far outweigh the discomfort. So, let's be partners with God in the reclamation business of grace, mercy, love, forgiveness, and joy!

[1] Mark 10:45; 1 Timothy 2:5-7.
[2] Matthew 28:18-20.
[3] Hebrews 2:1-3.
[4] Hebrews 3:13.
[5] Hebrews 3:12.
[6] Matthew 18:10-14; Luke 15:1-32.

Today's Prayer

Almighty God, You know what is inside each person's heart. I confess to You that I do not. I often do not recognize the internal struggles and doubts of my brothers and sisters around me. So, dear Breath of God, the Holy Spirit, I ask for the gifts of discernment, grace, and tenderness. I want to see those who are struggling or wandering, offer a listening ear, and encourage them to come to You. I need Your help, O Breath of Heaven, to have the best words to share with them and the kindness of spirit to encourage them to return to the Father. I ask this in the name of Jesus, Who died to save each of us. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Luke 15:1-32
  • Hebrews 2:1-4, 3:12-14

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

5 Related Resources by Heartlight

James 5:19-20
Devo: Daily Wisdom
"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...."
James 5:20
Devo: Today's Verse
"[R]emember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."
Wrong Way
Illustration of James 5:20
Parody e-card of a wrong way sign - James 5:20 - Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death, and cover over a multitude of sins.
Living My MUSD #6: Shared Prayer through Forgiving Redemptively
Article by Randy Becton
Living My Mission Under Social Distancing Phil Ware opens the New Testament and reminds of a great way to live out our mission while under social distancing, prayer because prayer has always been a virtual way of blessing others.
See All 5 Related Resources about James 5:19-20

Illustration

Illustration of James 5:19-20 NLT — My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Monday, June 2, 2025

What Jesus Did!
A daily guide from the gospels that challenges readers to live for Jesus.
'Compassion over Cares' (Mt. 14:13-14)
"As soon as Jesus heard the news [about Herod executing John the Baptist], he left in a boat to a remote area to be alone. But the crowds heard where....."
Passion for Praise
A daily passage of Scripture emphasizing praise to our God.
'He Rescues Us from Death' (Ps. 68:20)
"Our God is a God who saves! The Sovereign Lord rescues us from death."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Where Is God?' (Is. 63:11)
"Then [the Lord's people] remembered the old days, the days of Moses, God's servant: "Where is he who brought the shepherds of his flock up and out of the sea?....."
Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Sowing Seeds' (Ga. 6:6-10)
"Dear Father, holy unscornable God, Don't let me be deceived, my God, for I know that no one can mock you with impunity. For whatever a person sows..."

About This Devotional

Together in Christ is a daily devotional that focuses on what Scripture teaches about godly living in relationships.

'Together in Christ' is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More Together in Christ