Word@Work James50 - James 5:14-16
Published: Wed, 04/22/09
Word@Work from BeaconLight
SICKNESS, PRAYER, CONFESSION AND FAITH
James 5:14-16 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. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (NIV)
James has been teaching us about how to act in times of suffering, frustration, trouble and joy (cf James 5:7-13). Sickness is one trouble that comes to everybody at some time. Many solutions are offered, from evidence-based medicine to family remedies and tribal customs. Some even seek spiritual power without God's authority, but the Bible forbids that (cf Deut 18:9-13). As with every difficulty or excitement, James has taught us to bring all these matters to God in prayer (cf James 5:13). However, although the Greek word for 'sick' has a core meaning in physical illness, it can also be uses to describe any kind of weakness and weariness of body, mind, emotions or spirit - including the sickliness that stems from unresolved sin.
The afflicted person is instructed to invite the local church elders to pray for him/her (most unwell people find it hard to pray for themselves). The invitation to the elders is itself an expression of faith (and obedience to God's word here), and a willingness to be submitted to God. Anointing with oil is a physical demonstration of faith in God who can restore health by His power. But healing is not an automatic result of a physical rite. Faith and forgiveness are needed too. It is God who gives both. According to the gift of faith received by the elders, so they pray according to what they believe God is wanting to accomplish. Forgiveness also comes from God, but it cannot be granted until sins have been confessed in repentance.
True disciples of Jesus understand that our relationship with Him matters more than anything else. Even our feeling of wellbeing. So the Lord sometimes allows suffering (in Old English, 'suffer' means 'to allow') so that we will trust Him more. The person who is passionate about being in the right with God, will better discern God's will, and so will pray for God to fulfil his purpose in the suffering person's life. And many have given praise for God's remarkable healing power. Of course we are all mortal, and death is inevitable for every Christian at some point; yet the Lord is often pleased to show His power in responding to our prayers, if we are willing to get right with Him.
Prayer: Almighty God. I know that I am a sinner and I live in a sinful world, polluted and polluting others. Help me to confess my sins, to be accountable to godly people, and to submit myself to the eldership of my local church so that my suffering may be relieved in Your will and through Your power. In Your mercy, may I be restored to health so that I may serve you with greater devotion all my days. For Jesus' Christ's sake. Amen.
You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages
James has been teaching us about how to act in times of suffering, frustration, trouble and joy (cf James 5:7-13). Sickness is one trouble that comes to everybody at some time. Many solutions are offered, from evidence-based medicine to family remedies and tribal customs. Some even seek spiritual power without God's authority, but the Bible forbids that (cf Deut 18:9-13). As with every difficulty or excitement, James has taught us to bring all these matters to God in prayer (cf James 5:13). However, although the Greek word for 'sick' has a core meaning in physical illness, it can also be uses to describe any kind of weakness and weariness of body, mind, emotions or spirit - including the sickliness that stems from unresolved sin.
The afflicted person is instructed to invite the local church elders to pray for him/her (most unwell people find it hard to pray for themselves). The invitation to the elders is itself an expression of faith (and obedience to God's word here), and a willingness to be submitted to God. Anointing with oil is a physical demonstration of faith in God who can restore health by His power. But healing is not an automatic result of a physical rite. Faith and forgiveness are needed too. It is God who gives both. According to the gift of faith received by the elders, so they pray according to what they believe God is wanting to accomplish. Forgiveness also comes from God, but it cannot be granted until sins have been confessed in repentance.
True disciples of Jesus understand that our relationship with Him matters more than anything else. Even our feeling of wellbeing. So the Lord sometimes allows suffering (in Old English, 'suffer' means 'to allow') so that we will trust Him more. The person who is passionate about being in the right with God, will better discern God's will, and so will pray for God to fulfil his purpose in the suffering person's life. And many have given praise for God's remarkable healing power. Of course we are all mortal, and death is inevitable for every Christian at some point; yet the Lord is often pleased to show His power in responding to our prayers, if we are willing to get right with Him.
Prayer: Almighty God. I know that I am a sinner and I live in a sinful world, polluted and polluting others. Help me to confess my sins, to be accountable to godly people, and to submit myself to the eldership of my local church so that my suffering may be relieved in Your will and through Your power. In Your mercy, may I be restored to health so that I may serve you with greater devotion all my days. For Jesus' Christ's sake. Amen.
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