{"id":5106,"date":"2014-01-28T06:30:21","date_gmt":"2014-01-28T12:30:21","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.scquest.org\/?p=5106"},"modified":"2014-01-24T09:57:39","modified_gmt":"2014-01-24T15:57:39","slug":"how-can-i-change-the-church","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scquest.org\/?p=5106","title":{"rendered":"How Can I Change? The Church"},"content":{"rendered":"

Part of the \u201cHow Can I Change?\u201d series. See parts\u00a0one<\/a>,\u00a0two<\/a>, and three<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The Church (Jas 5:19-20)<\/h1>\n

“19\u00a0<\/sup><\/b>My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20\u00a0<\/sup><\/b>let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.”<\/p>\n

What is the passage saying?<\/h2>\n

1. Believers are:<\/h3>\n

A. Prone to wander<\/span>.\u00a0Why do you think James ended with this admonition? Because he knows that we are all sinners and easily swayed (Jas 1:5-8). We are tempted and drawn away (1:14-15), needing to repent and humble ourselves (4:1-10).<\/p>\n

B. In need of others<\/span>.\u00a0When we wander, who will be there to bring us back if we have cut everyone off from our lives, or, if we have never joined with others?<\/p>\n

2. Believers must:<\/h3>\n

A. Bring others back.<\/span>\u00a0Judging by James message to his brothers, there were plenty of difficulties. People were in trials (1:2-4), unwise (1:5-8), and under temptation (1:12-15). There was anger, filthiness, wickedness (1:19-21), and an aversion to living the Word (1:22-25).<\/p>\n

B. Forgive others\u2019 sin<\/span>.\u00a0Because of their state, they had created conflicts over partiality (Jas 2), their words (Jas 3), and their own desires (Jas 4). Which means there was a lot of sin to be forgiven. This was James intention in verse 20. Covering the sins of others is based on God\u2019s forgiveness. The wanderer will have his sins forgiven but the one who returns the wanderer may also have to forgive (cover) the sins committed against himself.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

How is it connected to grace?<\/h2>\n

Titus 2:11-14 reminds us that individual believers are part of a people, not merely a lone ranger. That means that Jesus intends to use others \u201cto purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works\u201d (14). The amount of \u201cone another\u201d passages in the NT and the focus on the NT Church should be ample evidence of those intentions.<\/p>\n

The Church is a tool Jesus uses to change us. It is a blessed gift, not to be overlooked, belittled, or avoided.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

What will it look like in my life? (How does that actually help me change?)<\/h2>\n

Example:\u00a0Your friend Larry used to come to church regularly and talk to you about spiritual matters, but everything has changed. He rarely ever attends church (anywhere) and changes the subject whenever spiritual topic of conversation arise. What should you do?<\/em><\/p>\n

Steps:<\/h3>\n