The Wanderer

Scripture talks about different kinds of people in the "Christian" spectrum. There is the blatant "false teacher", about whom John says, "They went out from us, but they were not really of us; for if they had been of us, they would have remained with us; but they went out, so that it would be shown that they all are not of us." (1 John 2:19) Christian in appearance, at least at first ("from us"), but not actually Christian and not remaining in the flock. There is what the New American Standard refers to as "the factious man", or the King James refers to as "the heretic", or what the ESV calls "a person who stirs up division" (Titus 3:10). This one is in our midst, obviously, but not "getting along". He doesn't "play well with other children." He's a trouble-maker. Of this one Paul says, "After warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him, knowing that such a person is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned." (Titus 3:10-11) There is the blatant sinner. Paul says on this one, "I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler -- not even to eat with such a one." (1 Cor 5:11) The unrepentant sinner, marked by immorality without any apparent qualms. The author of Hebrews refers to another one called "apostate." This one has had all the right input, all the right experiences, all the right appearance, and has jettisoned it all. Of this one the author of Hebrews says, "It is impossible ... to restore them again to repentance." (Heb 6:4-6) There are, then, people who are in the realm of Christianity but demonstrate in various ways that they are not Christian who Scripture says should be let go, rejected, avoided. You might think that's harsh, but your issue would be with Scripture because it's in there.

There is, however, another category. Paul refers to a brother "caught in a transgression" who becomes the responsibility of other believers to restore in a spirit of gentleness (Gal 6:1). James speaks of a similar concept. The NASB says they "stray from the truth", but the ESV says this:

My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 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. (James 5:19-20)

Interesting group. They "wander from the truth". These aren't the false teachers, the divisive types, the unrepentant "so-called brother", or the apostate. No, these sin, sure, but they are not lost causes. They aren't unrepentant. They aren't crusading for the lie. They're straying. They're wandering.

You know these types, I'm sure. They see a problem, like "Why aren't there many people in our church?", and they pursue it ... down the wrong path. Better marketing, more worldly methods, catchier programs, and they find themselves pursuing "more people" on their own without regard for God. They wandered. Unchecked, they end up in some really bad places like Robert Schuller's "positive thinking" Christianity where "sin" is defined as "feeling bad about yourself" and redemption is in a positive self-image. Yeah, it brings in more people, but without the Gospel behind it. I'm sure the Joel Osteen followers might come to mind in the same way. You see, it wasn't malice or being spiritually dead or the like. They wandered. They strayed.

God's Word gives guidance on how to deal with these people. For the malicious types, the answer is distance. Not so for the wanderer. The wanderer needs restoring. The one who strays needs to be brought back to the truth.

How do you know what you're dealing with? Sometimes it's not clear. But it's not too hard to find out. If the primary difference is "unrepentant" and "repentant", you just have to ask, right? If the person who stirs up dissension is warned twice and continues, you know what he is. Not a wanderer. If the false teacher leaves rather than being restored, you know what he is. If the blatant sinner is confronted with his sin and refuses to repent (Matt 18:15-20), you have your answer.

The hard question, then, is not what kind they are. Just do what you're commanded. Seek to restore, with a close eye on yourself, in the process Christ commanded. When it works out, it's a great thing. When it doesn't, you have your marching orders: Don't even eat with such a one. The hard question, then, is whether you will obey. (You and I.) But I suppose if we, knowing what God's Word says, refuse, we know what we are, right?