Love Covers Over a Multitude of Sins

This is the last post for James. Check in next week to see what is next.

Read James 5:19-20
Title in NIV: Turning a sinner from the error of his way.

"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 save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins."

My first thought when I read this scripture was: Why don't we (Christians) do this more often. Or maybe I should say: why don't I do this more often. I know my reason: I don't want to offend anyone, I don't want them to think I am pushing my faith on them (they will just think I am a 'goody-goody'), and I really don't like confrontation.

When we do not deal with a situation, be it someone who hurt you or something you saw that was a sin, James 3:14 says we could begin to "harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts....[it] is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you find envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder..."


Matthew 18:15 says, " If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two along.....If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church...."

Paul's goal in his ministry was to "somehow arouse [his] own people to envy [the gospel] and save some of them." Maybe that is why I write devos all the time. I want to arouse people's spirits, cause them to think more deeply about others and change those things in themselves that cause them to not keep in step with the Spirit.

1 Peter 4:8 says, "Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins."

Blessings and see you here next week!