Bad Example

If I screw up, but I get you to straighten out, does that absolve me of guilt for my mess?

My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. - James 5:19-20

I wonder if James is the reason some people feel empowered to tell others how they should live their lives. 

The message is clear.  If I carry baggage, but help you to drop all your baggage, my burden will be lifted.  So there is incentive to set others on the right path, even if, or especially if we have chosen the wrong path.

It reminds me of the parable Jesus tells of Lazarus who dies and goes to heaven, while the rich man dies and goes to Hades.  The rich man wants Abraham to send Lazarus to warn his brothers so they won't wind up as he did.  The point Abraham makes is that they will not listen, since they have not listened to Moses and the Prophets.

So, to whom do we listen?

If we don't listen to the Word from God, will we change when a sinner tells us to?

Probably not.  So, what James is saying is not easy.  If you do manage to help someone based on your bad examples, that is such an amazing thing that you can earn salvation for yourself.

But it is not intended as a reason to go out and do wrong and then find a worse off person to save.  It is intended as an example of God's grace.

A true bad example turned good would be one someone might want to follow, but a bad example telling you to be good probably won't cut it.

So, I think James is telling us to focus on ourselves first.  We should stay the course and if we encounter someone who is slipping, let our good example help them come back.

But don't go out and be bad, hoping you can save yourself by focusing your efforts on someone else. 

Now, if only everyone focused on their own behavior, how great would that be?

More to come...