The Plumbline

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) If you have heard the term "backslider", then you are likely familiar with the idea of once a follower of Christ, now caught up in the same sin or worse than they were involved in before coming to Christ. Most of the time we think of a backslider as one totally away from Christ, but did you know that the term also describes those who continue to follow Christ, but with less fervor and a lack of obedience that once may have been evident in their lives? Look again at the passage today and you will observe "if someone among you WANDERS AWAY from the truth". Wandering isn't always intentional - it is more or less because one has taken their eye off the target! It is possible to never turn your back entirely ...