The Study of James: Final Chapter 5:13-20

August 3, 2009

~Denise Grant

 

     This devotional concludes our study of the book of James. I truly feel God led me to step out in this direction - even if He meant it for only one. You may just have been the one.

 

James 5:13-15 – “Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven.”  In Scripture, oil was both a medicine and a symbol of the Spirit of God. Jesus Christ is Lord over both the body and the spirit.

 

James 5:16 – “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you maybe healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.”  Confess your sins, is translated - admit your faults. Christ’s death made it possible for us to go directly to His Father’s throne for forgiveness, but confessing our sins to other Christians, still has an important place in our lives as a body of believers.

 

     In Christ’s Kingdom, every believer is a priest to other believers – “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” 1 Peter 2:9. This means we are charged with helping others come to Christ and telling other’s of Christ’s words of forgiveness.

 

James 5:17-18 – “Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.”  Your most powerful resource is communion with God through prayer. The results are often greater than you could possibly think. Some people see prayer as a last resort to be tried when all else fails – if that’s you my friend – you are thinking backwards. Prayer should come first! Since God’s power is infinitely greater than your own, it only makes sense to rely on Him before anything else.

 

James 5:19-20 – “My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” If you know a believer who has fallen into sin –no longer living a life consistent with their beliefs – then be assured, they are in serious trouble and need to repent. James is urging Christians to help backsliders return to God.. We can do this by taking the initiative, praying for the person, and acting in love to meet the person where they are to help them come back to God.

 

     In conclusion, our right living is the evidence and result of our faith. As believers in Christ Jesus, we must:

 

• serve with compassion,
• speak lovingly and truthfully
• live in obedience to God’s commands
• love one another.

 

     James makes it clear - we are to be set apart from the world and are asked to be an example of heaven on earth - drawing others to Christ through our love for God and one another.

 

     If you truly believe God’s Word –then you will live it day by day. God’s Word is not merely something you read or think about, but something you do.

 

     Belief, faith, and trust must have hands and feet – ours!

 

     My prayer is that you have learned through each chapter of study:

 

• Chapter 1 – Confident Stand – What a Christian has.
• Chapter 2 – Compassionate Service – What a Christian does.
• Chapter 3 – Careful Speech – What a Christian says.
• Chapter 4 – Contrite Submission – What a Christian feels.
• Chapter 5 – Concerned Sharing – What a Christian gives.

 

Father God,

 

     May we be Your hands to do everything You ask of us and Your feet, to go only where You lead.  May we always mirror You in our words, thoughts and deeds so that when others look at us – they see You, living in us. And when we speak, may we always share Your words and Your love with those you place both,  in our way and in our world..  In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Denise Grant - Just "clay" in the Master Potter's hands.

 

"If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under." ~Ronald Reagan

 

“If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land."  2 Chronicles 7:14