Wandering, Turning, and Saving

In one of the earliest accounts of one turning from the truth and setting out on a path of error, we find Cain murdering his brother and then responding to God's inquiry of him with the following: "Then the LORD said to Cain, 'Where is Abel your brother?' He said, 'I do not know. Am I my brother's keeper?'" (Genesis 4:9) Much has been written and said about this exchange – and rightly so. It tugs at something very deep within us, whether it is the callousness of Cain, or the shocking boldness with which he verbally jousts with his Maker. It is especially shocking when one considers how many blessings were showered upon the first family. Nevertheless, there are times when one will shock the community of true faith with a turning from the truth to error. Sometimes it is sudden and sometimes it is gradual. James has been very pragmatic as he has instructed the church regarding the nitty-gritty of the Christian life and so he does here. How are you and I to respond when someone turns away? Should we respond like Cain and say, "Am I my brother's keeper?" No! The inspired apostle informs us all that, not only are we to seek them out, we can be used instrumentally to accomplish a great work, the saving of a soul! – Pastor Schlegel