SSL 13 - James 5:7-9, 13-20
LAST WEEK: In James 4:6-17, the writer told us how to befriend God and plan for the future with God's will in mind. He warned us against speaking evil of our Christian brothers and sisters and judging them, and ended the chapter with a call to conform our lives and make all of our plans according to the will of God. Five points of application: 1. Our submission to God should be unconditional. God is the ultimate and only sovereign authority in the universe, and it should be obvious to anyone that rebelling against God's authority is foolhardy and dangerous. 3. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. When we humble ourselves and fully submit our life to God, He will equip us with the power to resist the devil. 3. If we draw near to God, He will draw near to us. It's easy for us to drift away from God, but the truth of that statement is that it's not God who moved but us. Yet, God is always calling us to draw near to Him, with the promise that He's always ready to draw near to us. 4. If we speak evil against and judge a Christian brother or sister we are violating the royal law of God that "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." If we commit this sin, we not only break God's law but show contempt for God Himself. 5. Christians who plan their lives with little or no thought for God or what He would have them do in life are guilty of having a this-world-only attitude that grossly overestimates their own limitations and disregards God's providential control of events. As we plan and make decisions in life, we must stop and realize that every moment of our existence, down to the smallest detail, is under the sovereign control of God, and we can't take tomorrow for granted. 6. God not only cares about the good things we accomplish for Him but cares just as much about the things we fail to do. These are sins of omission. When we "know" about the right thing to do, we are obligated before God to do it, ASAP!
THIS WEEK: We conclude this quarter and start a new study in Genesis Part 2 next week. Today, in James 5:7-9, 13-20, he ends his epistle with advice on three topics: (1) How to have patience when you are suffering; (2) How to pray in faith for yourself and others; and (3) a call to help Christians who have fallen away from the truth. Last week in 4:13-17, James talked about merchants and traders who planned business activities and lived as if God were unimportant or did not even exist, and in 5:1-6 (which we skip), he turns his attention to wealthy landowners whom he criticizes for their materialistic accumulation of wealth and self-indulgence, while at the same time mistreating and oppressing their workers. The believers to whom James is addressing today's lesson verses are people who have suffered greatly at the hands of these wealthy merchants, traders and landowners.
Read James 5:7-9 - BE PATIENT
7 Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. 8 You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
v. 7a: "Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord" - The word for "patient," (Gk. makrothumēsate), means to bear-up and persevere in a situation. Patience is at issue here because James' audience had suffered many years from the injustices of the merchants, traders, and land- owners-they were the oppressed poor. But the alternatives to patience-taking matters into their own hands in an attempt to seek revenge or to just suffer silently and allow the anger to eat them up on the inside-were pointless. Neither alternative held any promise, because the rich people had the means to retaliate, and no one wants to be miserable for the rest of their life. Instead, James asks them to be patient "until the coming of the Lord." The word for the "coming," (Gk. parousias) can be interpreted two ways: (1) the second coming of Christ or (2) the coming of God's judgment against those who were oppressing them. In either case, James tells them they must wait on God's timing. This bring to mind Ps. 37:8-9, where David tells us to "Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices! Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil."
v. 7b: "See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains - Here, James presents an real-life analogy used to illustrate the need for patience. Being a farmer requires great patience: (1) preparing the ground and sowing the seed, waiting for the seeds to sprout, waiting even longer for the crop to ripen, all before reaping the harvest; and (2) patiently waiting on the early and late rains (fall and spring in Palestine) that would cause the crop to grow and eventually ripen. This patience still holds true for farmers today.
v. 8: "You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand" - James emphasizes being patient by repetition-like a farmer, be patient over and over. The word for "establish" (Gk. sterizo) denotes a resolute and stable mindset. James is telling his audience to strengthen their hearts to carry on in life despite their circumstances. Today we'd say "hang in there, don't let it get you down." He reminds them again that the Lord is certain to bring justice as in v. 7a.
v. 9: "Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door" - James is talking about Christians who complain about each other. When things in life are good, we have no reason to complain or criticize anyone, but when we are suffering, we sometime explode in frustration and turn against those nearest us. This is certainly counter-productive and sinful. When James says, "so you will not be judged," he implies that those who resort to unjust blaming or criticism will themselves be subject to judgment. Judgment can come two ways: (1) from the people around you who you have offended or (2) from God. In Mt. 7:1-2, Jesus said, "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." When he says, "the judge is standing at the door," he means judgment is in close proximity-so watch out!
TRUTH 1: In order to be patient in times of suffering, as Christians, we must establish our hearts. Suffering can come in many forms-physical, emotional, or financial. When it hits, maintaining patience can be one of the most difficult parts of our faith walk. "Establish" in this context means we must develop a determinded and stable mindset that will allow us to carry on with our lives despite our circumstances. God hears our prayers and has a plan, but we must wait on His timing.
TRUTH 2: When you are suffering, if you turn against your Christian brothers and sisters with "grumbling"-complaints and criticism-it is you, not them, who is in the wrong. James says we will be judged for it, and it can come in two ways: (1) from the those around us who are offended by our behavior or (2) from God. And God is standing next to our door!
Read James 5:13-15 - THE PRAYER OF FAITH
13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? 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. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
v. 13: "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise" - James give a prescription for both sides of human feelings. The suffering he speaks of could be physical, emotional, or circumstantial (e.g., sickness, depression, poverty). The remedy is prayer: not only for God to heal or remove the problem but also for the strength and grace to endure it. Being cheerful can be based on circumstances or personality. Some people tend to be gloomy while others always seem to have a smile on their face. Being cheerful is a wonderful habit-it blesses others.
v. 14: "Is anyone among you sick? 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" - The term "sick" could mean physical illness or weakness or infirmity. "Elders" refers to the pastors and leaders of the churches to which James' readers belonged. These men would be known for their wisdom and maturity, and James assumes that they would be "on call" to care for members of their congregation. In those days, the anointing with oil "in the name of the Lord" was a practice that symbolized the healing power of the Holy Spirit.
v. 15: "And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven" - James refers not to the faith of the sick person but the faith of those praying. The word for "save" (Gk. sōzō) has a double meaning: (1) the person could be physically healed or (2) experience spiritual salvation through faith (i.e., sins forgiven). As seen throughout the Gospels, Jesus healed both physically and spiritually, and the same connotation may be applicable here. I've heard many stories of people being saved on their deathbeds, haven't you?
TRUTH 3: The best remedy for suffering, whether physical, emotional, or financial, is prayer. And when we pray, we should not only ask God to heal or remove the problem but to also give us the strength and grace to endure it.
Read James 5:16-18 - CONFESS YOUR OFFENSES AND PRAY FOR EACH OTHER
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit.
v. 16: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." - The word for "confess," (Gk. exomologeo) also means to profess or agree. Confession can be to (1) God, (2) a person you have sinned against, (3) a spiritual friend, or (4) to the entire church. That we confess "to one another" implies that we are to confess to those against whom we have sinned, which can begin the process of healing mentioned in this verse. Since praying for one another follows the command to confess, it suggests forgiveness will be received from the person wronged , an equally important step in healing. Although God hears all prayer, the prayer of a righteous person is more powerful simply because such people are closer to God and His will and more likely to have an effect.
v. 17-18: "Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. 18 Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit." - James uses the example of Elijah to illustrate that the prayers of a righteous person have great power. A "nature like ours" tells us that Elijah was a fallible human being just like us, but one who walked close to God. The drought recorded in 1 Kings 17 and 18 was punishment against King Ahab and Israel for idolatry. The "three years and six months comes from the phrase "in the third year" of 1 Kings 18:1, which, as half of seven, symbolizes judgment.
TRUTH 4: Confession of sin is the first step in healing. Confession can be to (1) God, (2) a person we sinned against, (3) a spiritual friend, or (4) to the entire church. That we confess "to one another" implies that we are to confess to those against whom we have sinned, which can begin the healing mentioned in the verse. Since praying for one another follows the command to confess, it suggests forgiveness by the person wronged, which again, is an equally important step in healing.
Read James 5:19-20 - TURN HIM BACK; SAVE A SOUL
19 My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, 20 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.
v. 19a: "My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth- The word for "truth" (Gk. aletheia) means something real and free of any falsehood. There are two different types of truth and honesty: (1) personal truth-a person of integrity who avoids telling lies, an important element of our Christian winess; and (2) spiritual truth-what a person believes in. For Christians, it's the belief that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gave His life so that we who believe in Him, by grace, receive forgiveness of our sins and the free gift of eternal life. Jesus is truth personified, and said of Himself, "I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6) and promised, "if you remain in My word, you shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free" (John 8:31-32). A person who "wanders from the truth," can be an unsaved person (1) who believes something false or (2) who hasn't truly repented of their sin, or (3) a believer who is living a lifestyle that's contrary to the truth of God's Word.
vv. 19b-20: "and someone brings him back. 20 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" - Here, James informs us that when we see someone "wandering" from the truth, we are duty-bound to confront them with their error and lead them back to the truth (or to faith, depending on the situation). The term, "save his soul from death" is tricky. It can be interpreted as either physical death (resulting from a sinful lifestyle) or eternal salvation (a "professing believer" who hasn't fully repented and given his or her life to Christ and thus unsaved). The expression, "will cover a multitude of sins," indicates that a believer who restores or brings the wayward sinner back to faith will cover the many sins of the one who wandered. In this regard, we cannot forgive the sin (only God can forgive sin) but we can act as an intermediary that leads a person to God's forgiveness. Finally, it is noteworthy that James ends his epistle abruptly and dispenses with the courteous type of concluding greetings seen in other NT letters but instead, concludes with a call to the Christian community to help others.
TRUTH 5: When we see someone "wandering" from the truth, we are duty-bound to confront them with their error and lead them back to the truth (or to faith, depending on the situation). The term, "save his soul from death" is somewhat vague but can be interpreted as either physical death (resulting from a sinful lifestyle) or eternal salvation (a "professing believer" who hold false beliefs or hasn't fully repented and given his or her life to Christ and thus unsaved). The expression, "will cover a multitude of sins," indicates that a believer who restores or brings the wayward sinner back to faith will cover the many sins of the one who wandered. In this regard, we don't' forgive the sin (only God can forgive sin) but act as intermediaries that lead to God's forgiveness.
