To Those Who Are Wandering . . .
“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 the error of his ways has saved a soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19, 20).
There are several Chrisans who, for whatever reason are presently wandering from God and have cut themselves off from his people. They may fool themselves into thinking everything is all right, but deep in their hearts, they know they are not right (Proverbs 14:12; 16:25).
To those in the situation described above, may I ask you to thoughtfully ponder the questions below and consider the eternal consequences regarding your answers?
Do you realize . . .
That God is faithful and longs for your return (1 John 1:9)?
That brothers and sisters in Christ who admonish you, love you and long for your return (2 Thessalonians 3:17, 18)?
That putting off your return increases the likelihood that you will never do so (Acts 24:25)?
Confession of sin brings only momentary humiliation, but long-term peace and rejoicing (2 Corinthians 7:10)?
That freedom from God and his church is actually slavery to sin (Romans 6:16)?
That the concept of the church actually originated in the mind of God (Ephesians 3:9-11)?
That Jesus died for the church (Ephesians 5:25)?
That the number of people who will react negatively to your return is very small, compared to those who will rejoice (Luke 15:7, 28).
That your concern is to repent before God and your brothers, and that whether they forgive you is something for which they will give account to God (Psalm 51:4, Ma?hew 6:14, 15).
