Free Devotions - Intervention - James 5:20

James 5:20     Remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

“Don’t be judgmental!” “Only God can judge!” “You Christians are always judging others.”

If I had a dollar for every time that I’ve heard or read that somewhere, then I’d be a rich person today. People want to live their own lives and make their own choices, but when a pastor, a church member, or a faithful Christian points out the foolishness or danger of such decisions, they’re often met with those kinds of aggressive answers.

Now people can say what they want against Christians, but Christians do have a responsibility of helping and encouraging people to change their lives, especially when their life style choices are self-destructive, sinful and selfish. The world may criticize Christians for being judgmental, but in many cases Christians are actually displaying discernment and trying to help sinners turn from the error of their ways. It may not be popular, but sometimes Christian intervention stops a person from further injury, addiction, or isolation.

I know that for me it took Christ’s intervention and real supportive Christian people to enable me to overcome my alcohol addiction. They knew that I was an alcoholic, even although I would not admit it to myself. But rather than say or do nothing, my Christian friends held me accountable for my foolish decisions and eventually enabled me to win my battle against drinking alcohol. I may have thought that they were judgmental at first, but when I overcame my addiction I realized how much their tough love, confrontational care, and true discernment of my self-inflicted situation had challenged and changed me.

Christians should not be afraid of being called ‘judgmental’ when dealing with self-destructive sinners or sinful behavior. Sometimes God places us in-between those people – family & friends especially – and the negative consequences of their selfish choices. Intervention is not easy to do or maintain, but if it is successful (as in my case) then it does indeed save the sinner from death and covers over a multitude of sins.

Perhaps there’s someone in your life who’s near and dear to you but their lifestyle decisions are drastically affecting their relationships, work, and future. Evil triumphs and addictions destroy when good people say and do nothing. Don’t be afraid to speak out and ask the Holy Spirit to grant you the right time, place, and words to say what needs to be said. In years to come, that very same person you are confronting may truly thank you for turning his or her life around.

Prayer:                        Lord Jesus, we let the world diminish our gifts of discernment because we don’t like to be thought of as being judgmental. You however dealt with people straight-forwardly and candidly when it came to confronting sin. Help us to help those who need to be challenged in order to change. Grant us the presence of Your Holy Spirit in our lives to lovingly and compassionately intervene. In Your Holy Name, we steadfastly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is currently the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment or ask questions of today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.

Today’s image is of a poster that I designed with regard to overcoming alcoholism. It’s entitled “Alcoholic Aurora” and depicts empty drinking glasses against the back ground of the rising sun. The message reads: “ALCOHOLIC AURORA – when the Sun rises and your spirit doesn’t.”

You can view a larger version of the poster here: http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1292/1071957099_1c477987be_o.jpg

4 Minute Daily devotions: Stupid Button

Hebrews 4:16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

I wasn’t a very nice person when I was a drunk. In fact, I was more likely to get me and my friends in trouble through the stupid things that I would say or do. One minute everything in the pub could be fine and dandy; the very next minute, I would cause a disagreement with someone at the bar, or a waitress, and we’d end up getting thrown out.

I also got myself into some hair-raising moments and difficult situations that I would have avoided like the plague had I been sober. It was as if the alcohol within me reached a level that automatically pushed my stupid button and I would end up in the wrong company, at the wrong time. I can remember being holed up with a notorious Glasgow street gang for three days and nights. Most of them wasted their own lives and have spent years in jail for burglary, armed robbery, and even murder.

I shudder when I look back and think about those foolish times. And then I remember God’s grace and how He helped me through those events. Without His mercy, I would either be in prison or possibly dead. With Christ’s love, I am now free and abundantly alive.

Perhaps you’re struggling right now with your own foolishness or mistakes. Maybe you’ve found yourself in a regrettable situation that is now beyond your control. I don’t know what brought you into that predicament, but I do know Who has sufficient grace, mercy, and love to rescue and redeem you. Just approach God’s throne with confidence and you will receive mercy and find grace to help you in your time of need.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You seek to help us even when we don’t deserve Your mercy or grace. You know the foolish things that we say or do, the miserable mistakes that we make, or the upsets and issues that we create. Forgive our stupidity and replace it with spirituality. Have mercy upon us and grant us the gracious help that we need. In Your Holy Name, we humbly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message, please send him an email to pastor@erinpresbyterian.org.