The Critical Task of Restoration: When Fellow Believers Fall Away

JEFF TURNER

When someone in our faith community appears to abandon truth for sinful living, much is at stake. The church’s reputation, the gospel’s credibility, and our Lord’s testimony all face damage. However, James 5 suggests even more serious consequences may exist.

In James’ letter, he addresses a sobering reality: “Whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save that person’s soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20). This raises an important question about spiritual security.

How could a genuine believer face spiritual death if they’ve already received salvation? The answer lies in understanding who James actually describes. Those truly saved possess everlasting spiritual life—they cannot lose what God has eternally granted them.

The individuals described as “straying from the truth” are actually those who merely claimed faith without genuinely possessing it. These people professed belief outwardly but lacked authentic spiritual transformation. As 1 John 2:19 explains, “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.”
These false professors—people with superficial belief—stand in grave spiritual danger. Their situation calls for fellow believers to take action by lovingly calling them back to authentic faith.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility consider one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3-4

Prayers Requested for High Road’s Sarah Davison and Family After Daughter’s Accident

AMY TURNER

The Southern Gospel community is rallying in prayer for the family of Sarah Davison, founding member of High Road, after her young daughter, Ruth Ann Randolph, suffered a serious fall on Thursday, 22 May. Ruth Ann was transported by ambulance to Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital in Nashville, Tennessee, where doctors initially feared significant bleeding on her brain.

After a period of waiting, the pediatric neurologist brought encouraging news: only three tiny spots of bleeding were found, and Ruth Ann will not require surgery. She remains in the hospital for observation as doctors continue to monitor her recovery.

Sarah, her husband Trevor, and little Ruth Ann are grateful for the support and prayers they’ve received so far. As Ruth Ann continues to heal, the family asks for continued prayers from friends, fans, and the entire Gospel music community.

Please join us in lifting up the Randolph family during this challenging time, and let’s believe together for Ruth Ann’s complete recovery.

Discover ‘Man on the Middle Cross’ by Sound Street

SPECIAL CROSSROADS RECORDS

Arden, North Carolina (May 23, 2025) — “We’re so excited to share our next streaming release, ‘Man on the Middle Cross,'” says Jarrod Vanderslice of Sonlite Records’ Sound Street. “This song found its way to us in an unexpected but special way: Debra Talley, wife of our producer Roger Talley, mentioned it to us as a song worth considering. To be honest, we weren’t very familiar with it at first—but the moment we listened to the original version, we knew it was something special. The message gripped us immediately, and we felt it would be a powerful addition to our music catalog.”
That original version, sung by co-writer Rhett Walker, was strong enough to earn a recent Dove Award nomination for Bluegrass/Country/Roots Recorded Song of the Year, and the Southern Gospel trio leans, with Talley’s help, even more strongly into the song’s country roots, swapping the original’s darker textures and grittier tones for airier, more acoustic touches and framing the clarity of Jarrod Vanderslice’s lead vocal with vivid harmonies from daughter Jaylee Vanderslice and family friend Ryan Bilby. From start to finish, Sound Street’s take on “Man on the Middle Cross” transforms an already powerful song into a moving celebration of Christ’s gift to sinners.

“The story behind this song is one we can all relate to,” says Jarrod. “On the day of Jesus’ crucifixion, two men hung beside Him—two sinners, two different responses. One was broken and full of regret, recognizing his need for mercy. The other was hardened, defensive, and convinced it was too late for him. If we’re honest, at some point in life, we’ve all been like one of those men. We’ve all faced moments of fear, regret, or the feeling of being too far gone. But then—there’s Jesus. The Man on the Middle Cross. The One who took the worst of us and gave us the best of Himself. The One who made a way for redemption, no matter who we are or what we’ve done.

Musically, this song has a fresh, modern country feel, blending heartfelt storytelling with a melody that stays with you long after the final note. It’s the kind of song that not only fits our style but truly reflects the heart of what we want to share—hope, grace, and the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. We can’t wait for you to hear it.”

Listen to “Man on the Middle Cross” HERE.

About Sound Street
Oklahoma-based trio Sound Street is Jarrod Vanderslice, his daughter Jaylie Vanderslice and long-time family friend Ryan Bilby.

Established in July of 2020, Sound Street has garnered the attention of southern gospel music fans and tastemakers alike. The trio was selected out of the Regional Artist Showcase to perform on the Main Stage during the National Quartet Convention in 2021 and was nominated in the top 10 for favorite new artist 2022’s Singing News Fan Awards. Their radio single “I’ll Take The Old Highway” peaked at #34 on SGNScoops Magazine’ Top 100 and “The Old Story” debuted at #67 on Singing News’ March 2022 chart.

Performing more than 80 dates a year, Sound Street has been inspiring and communicating the message of the Gospel through their music to all audiences.

The Inclusive Love of Jesus

FLOYD ROGERS

No one is left out of Jesus’ love. It doesn’t matter where a person comes from, what language they speak, or what their background is. No race, belief, or past mistake can place someone beyond the reach of His care. Jesus welcomes every person, no matter their story.

When someone chooses to accept Jesus Christ, something powerful happens in their life. It starts by believing that Jesus is truly the Son of God, sent by the Father into this world. He gave His life on the cross, shedding His blood to pay for the sins of all people. When a person confesses this truth and receives Jesus as their personal Saviour, their life is made new.

Jesus did not come to judge or push people away. His purpose was to save, to bring hope, and to offer a new beginning to anyone who will receive Him.

For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but so that the world might be saved through Him.

John 3:17

The Consequences of Sin

JEFF TURNER

Throughout the Bible, God consistently calls people to turn from their sins and believe in Christ. This message is clear and repeated often. However, there is a passage in the final chapter of Revelation that, at first glance, seems confusing. It says: “Let the one who does wrong still do wrong, and the one who is filthy still be filthy; and let the one who is righteous still practice righteousness, and the one who is holy still keep himself holy.” (Revelation 22:11, NASB).

At first, it might appear as if sinners are being encouraged to remain in their sin. But that is not the true meaning. The message here is about the lasting consequences of a person’s choice in response to the Gospel. Those who reject the truth and continue in sin will remain that way for eternity, separated from God. In contrast, those who accept the Gospel, live righteously, and show true faith will continue in holiness forever in God’s presence.

Nowhere in Scripture does God invite people to keep sinning. Every call to sinners urges them to leave behind what is evil and pursue what is good through faith in Jesus Christ. The decisions made in this life will set one’s eternal future.

And just as it is destined for people to die once, and after this comes judgment,

Hebrews 9:27