Tough love

 

오늘의 묵상 (약5:19~20)

 

 

19. 내 형제 여러분, 여러분 가운데 어떤 사람이 진리에서 떠나 헤매고 있을 때, 누군가가 그를 잘못된 길에서 다시 돌아오게 했다면,

 

20. 그는 죄인의 영혼을 사망에서 구원한 것이며, 이로써 그 사람의 많은 죄도 용서를 받게 한 것입니다.

 

 

 

 

 

TOUGH LOVE

 

 

Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death. (James 5:20)

 

It is the church service people talk about for years. If you have ever been in one, you know exactly what I'm talking about: the service where the drug dealer came to know Christ. The congregation comes to life, amazed by what God has done.

 

But have you ever been in a service where the adulterous pastor comes back to God? I would guess that you have not. I am not taking away from the salvation of the drug dealer. The grace of God is always amazing. But why is it that we are so quick to forgive the chopper-riding druggie with tattoos of hula girls on his arm, but not a fallen Christian?

 

You will not find a tougher book on believers than the book of James. He calls for us to watch our tongues and submit to God. He brings warnings to the rich and tells the oppressed to rejoice. Yet, I am amazed that James' final words are to restore the fallen back to Christ. The truth is, the gospel is not easy. Christ expects a lot from His disciples (see Luke 14:26). But even a tough gospel preaches unconditional forgiveness and love resulting in a restored soul. And as God's people, we are to love all people!

 

—Matt McCarrick

 

 

Don't turn your back on the fallen; bring them back to Christ.