Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  James 5:16

I don’t want to rip this verse out of the context of the scenario that we discussed yesterday- the confession of and prayer for the sick who is being disciplined by God.  Today’s verse does have an application for us today.

James tells us to confess our faults or sins to one another.  If we were open and honest about our sin rather than hiding our sin our sin wouldn’t grow.  Sin that is covered up gets bigger and bigger and takes more and more to cover up.  What’s interesting about this scenario is that the person is sick because of the chastening of God.  If this man would have practiced the discipline of confession, he may not have gotten to the place where God had to discipline him with this sickness.

James also says to pray one for another.  In fact, he says that the energetic, passionate prayers of godly men have the power to accomplish much.  I know it seems like a “no-brainer” that we should pray for each other, but how much do we really do that?  Do you pray for other people on a daily basis?  Are your prayers just about you or are they about others?

Application:  2 Words of application:  1. Confess- to God and others. 2. Pray- for others.Which of these do you need to do today?

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.   James 5:14-16a

Dealing with sickness, especially sickness that is life threatening can be some of the most difficult experience we go through in life.  James describes here a specific situation about how we should pray for those who are sick.  Warren Werisbe makes this statement about the following verses that I agree with:  “I do not think that James gave us a blanket formula for healing the sick…”  He then goes on to talk about the specific circumstances of the case that James has written about.

First, the person  who is sick and needs prayer in this scenario is sick because of sin.  (v.15b-16).  James is describing a person who is sick because He is being disciplined by God.  (1 Corinthians 11:30).   He must call the elders of the church because either he is too sick, or is under church discipline and must do this as a next step to be restored.  To understand church discipline look at Matthew 18 and 1 Corinthains 5.

Second, the person confesses his sins. (v.16)  This was the point and expectation of church discipline, that the man would come to a place of confession and repentance.

Third, the person is healed by “the prayer of faith”.  (v.15)  Anointing someone with oil (14)  in the Bible was symbolic of cleansing.  The “anointing” could also be interpreted as “rubbing” or “massaging”, which may indicate a medicinal element to this scenario.  Either way, the “prayer of faith” is the important element here, that this man has confessed to God and man, and that this prayer is a prayer of hope and belief that God can heal, and will heal if it is his will.

There are some who teach (especially the “name it and claim it” prosperity preachers on TV)that God is obligated to heal us if we have enough faith.  They would say that if you are sick you don’t have enough faith. They take this phrase–“And the prayer of faith shall save the sick”–and apply it as a promise that God is obligated to no matter what the scenario.

What we really see about this phrase is that the person who is sick because of the discipline of God has only one hope of getting right.  There must be confession of his sin and prayer for healing.  If that person wants God to heal Him, that is the solution.

Application:  The Bible says that God does discipline his children.  Is there something that you need to confess today?  Pray.  Get right with God!  He will forgive.

Monday, November 14, 2011

Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. James 5:13

Have you ever been “in trouble?”  I’m not talking about the kind of “in trouble” you used to get in with your parents or teachers.  What I’m talking about is just difficulty that is just inherent with being alive.  James asks this question in today’s verse.  “Is any among you afflicted?”  Is anyone here going through difficulties?  I know all of us could answer yes to this question at some point in our lives.  What does James tell us to do? Pray!

My mom is good at this.  I remember whenever I had lost anything growing up I would do what any kid does–go ask mom!  When I would ask her, she would most often say, “No, I haven’t seen that.  Did you pray about it?”  Usually I would roll my eyes and set out to continue looking for the lost item until I got so frustrated that I took her advice.  More than once it was after I prayed that I found what I was looking for.

Someone may say, “Yeah, right.  You would have found it eventually anway.”  Who knows?  Here is what I do know now.  God is concerned with my life, and He wants me to pray when I run into difficulty.

God can turn trouble into triumphs.

James asks another question.  “Is any merry?”  Have you ever had a time in your life when you were just really happy.  Maybe you got a great score on a test, a promotion at work, or a day off.  Whatever the reason, big or little, James tells us to “sing psalms” when we are happy.  Now why would He do that?

The psalms were songs of praise to God.  James says that when we are merry we should be able to praise God during those times.  Why?  Because if it is something we should be merry about then it came from Him anyway.  “Every good gift and every perfect gift cometh from above, from the Father of lights in whom is no variableness neither shadow of turning.”  Songs of worship (especially ones that are based in scripture, or actual scripture put to music) can be a great way for us to express a grateful and thankful heart to God for what He has given to us.

Application:       The application today is pretty simple.  Do you have something to be happy about?  Sing a song of praise to God!Are you going through a difficulty?  It’s time to pray.  Which one do you need to do today?

Friday, November 11, 2011

But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.  James 5:12

I believe that James is re-addressing those who have extra.  He tells them to not to swear, or to make a special promise or oath.  Why?  What’s the big deal about this?  James is saying that our character should be the same no matter what kind of agreement we make with others.  Why should we have to really emphasize our intentions and promises by swearing an oath?  Are your promises not good unless you go as far as to swear an oath?  James emphasizes that the promises we make should be good and should be kept no matter what.

Application:       When you make a promise, can the person you promised “take it to the bank”?  Are you the kind of person that can be trusted?  Is your word your bond?