Restoration of a wayward believer, focus on the finish line (James 5:19-20)

AIM: People help bring back the wayward

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

What is God saying to us:

•  - Let's be ready to be our brother's keeper, Intercessory Faith, believe in God on behalf of another
•  - Be mindful that we can be strayed away: stay humble and close to Jesus, turn your heart toward him, stay in God's word.
•  - Be sure to tell those who have strayed that God will receive them back. He gives second chances:

Wayward people come to their senses

• When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, - Luke 15:17-18,  context: Luke 15:11-32
• And God pursues them: “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. - Luke 15:20

God is the one who wins back the wayward heart by a focus on the Day of Christ

• being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will continue to perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.  - Philippians 1:6

Yet we have the role of obedience

• so that you can discern what is best, that you may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, - Philippians 1:10
• Therefore, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now even more in my absence, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. - Philippians 2:12
• The LORD will fulfill His purpose in me.  Psalm 138:8
• He will sustain you to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. - 1 Corinthians 1:8

Why do people wander away from the truth?
 - fear of pain, threat of pain
 - suffering
 - The reality of Christianity doesn't align with the expectation of Christianity. Trials, pain, suffering, and disappointment is part of Christianity - understand this is our "fallen world"
 - prosperity can blind us "deceitfulness of wealth"
 - offense can make agape love grow cold in our hearts (11 tactics the devil uses to keep people from God