在鑰節之前的經文是：「我的弟兄們，你們中間若有失迷真道的，有人使他回轉，這人該知道……」，既說這人是從錯誤的路回轉，表示以前他曾接受過真理，後來他可能有某些原因使他不儆醒、沮喪或受苦，漸漸地，基督的光不再照耀他，隨之而來的就是死亡和沈淪了。

        那麼我們如何將基督的光，帶回給這些沈倫墮落的人呢？當然不是定他們的罪，也不是指著他們說：「我早告訴你了。」無論我們做什麼都需要有智慧──從天上來的智慧，天上的智慧是：「先是清潔，後是和平、溫良、柔順、滿有憐憫、多結善果、沒有偏見、沒有假冒」（3：17）。如果你無法感受到智慧，為何不求上帝，祂是那厚賜與眾人，也不斥責人的上帝（1：5），上帝將智慧厚賜給我們這些不配的人，祂並沒有追究我們的罪而厚賜給我們，同樣我們對墮落回轉的人，也該存如此寬容的心接待和給予。

        這就是為什麼我們向人顯示上帝的恩典，可以遮蓋許多的罪；我們以原諒代替定罪，讓墮落的人能接受上帝光的吸引，而不是被光弄瞎眼睛。他們就能從我們看到從上帝來無比的恩典向他顯現，如此一來，罪無法再轄制他們，新生命將進入他們裡面。

        我們若願意與那些無法抵抗罪被罪轄制的人，分享上帝的愛，我們也只是乞丐告訴乞丐，在那裡可找到麵包。

        主啊！幫助我們指引人到您面前，因您是豐盛、永恆生命的給予者，讓我們不再自私，將您救恩的好消息保留自己享用。奉主耶穌聖名，阿們！

English

        In the context, the key verse is the continuation of a sentence which begins, "My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this:..." The sinner who is being turned "from the error of his way" is someone who has formerly embraced the truth. He/she is probably someone who, for whatever reason, has grown negligent, discouraged, or bitter. Somehow, the light of Christ no longer shines brightly for them. Sin, decay, and death have regained a grip. They're drowning.

        So how do we go about bringing the light of Christ back into the backslider's life? Certainly not with condemnation and finger point ing. "I told you so" doesn't do it either. Whatever we do, we must do with wisdom — a heavenly wisdom that "is first of all pure, then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (3:17). And if you feel anything but wise, why not "ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault..." (1:5). Notice that God Himself gives generously to our inadequacy and does so without laying on any guilt trips ("without finding fault"). He gives graciously, and so should we.

        That's why the "grace" we show others "covers a multitude of sins". We forgive rather than condemn. In so doing, the backslider is attracted rather than blinded by the light. The sinner sees himself in the overwhelming presence of grace (from us) and Grace (from God). His sins lose their power, and new life enters in — both for him and for the one "saving" him.

        For when we share God's love with someone overwhelmed by sin, we're "only a beggar telling another beggar where to find some bread."

        Lord, help us today to point someone to You. You are the giver of life "more abundantly" here and now and, in the world to come, life everlasting. May we not be so selfish as to keep the good news of Your salvation to ourselves.