James 5 - "My Will, My Way, My Time!" - God

James 5

Warning to Rich Oppressors

5 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. 3 Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

Jesus offers a strong rebuke of the rich people who have oppressed the poor among them. He warns them that their treasures are being corroded and eaten by moths. One day they will be burned up in fire when the righteous Judge (Jesus) appears. The cries of those who were oppressed had reached the ears of the Lord. The love of money has ruined many good people Christians and non-Christians alike.

Patience in Suffering

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

On the flipside are those who suffer for the sake of righteousness just like Job did. In the same way the rich oppressors will be judged when Jesus returns, those who have patiently endured suffering for the Lord, will be rewarded. Part of being patient is being patient with each other. Jesus is not only the Lord and Savior of the world, be will come back to judge the living and the dead. 

Many people don't like the idea of judgment. After all we are saved by grace right? Indeed if it were not for the mercy of God, we would all be judged for our sins. Though we won't be judged for our sins, there is still a sense in which what we have done with God's grace will be judged. If we have been faithful planting the seeds of God's Word we will reap a harvest of righteousness on the day the Lord returns.

12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

This is a verse that I am sure convicts most of us. How often have you ever said, "I swear to God", as if somehow saying that would make your claim more believable. If people trusted in our word, we wouldn't not have to invoke God's name. Let your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no" reminds us to be careful with our words and the claims we make. Sometimes I embellish things to make me look better or to tell a more compelling story, but we all know people when they tell a story, we don't really believe them. When you can't trust someone at their word it really hinders any real relationship you might have. 

Where are you guilty of not making your "yes" be "yes" and your "no" be "no"? This week be careful to follow through on the things you say you will do or don't do. Obviously God takes it very seriously and so should we. You might want to get some feedback from your family and/or friends on this one. 

The Prayer of Faith

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

As James closes out his letter to the Jewish Christians, he reminds them of the importance of prayer. He teaches them that they can pray in every and any situation. If you are in trouble, pray. If things are going well praise God, which is a form of prayer. Prayer is merely talking to God under the influence of the Holy Spirit. And if someone is sick, the elders of the church can pray over them anointing them with oil. 

Although there is nothing magical about the elders, they represent those who have more spiritual maturity and might have more experience in healing prayer. The oil represents the presence and healing power of the Holy Spirit. As the person is covered with oil it is a sign of the covering of the Holy Spirit. 

When we pray for people we pray in faith and in Jesus' name. Importantly if our prayer isn't answered, it doesn't mean we aren't praying in faith. But we do pray trusting in the power and timing of God's will being done in Jesus' name. Healing prayer is not only for physical ailments but healing prayer can also heal people emotionally. And not the verse says, "If they have sinned, they will be forgiven". 

These verses can be open to misinterpretation to here is some good commentary from David Guzik on the subject. 

Many have wondered if James guarantees healing here for the sick who are prayed for in faith. Some interpret this as a reference to ultimate resurrection. The reference to sins being forgiven adds to the idea that James is considering a spiritual work and healing, not necessarily a physical healing.

Yet the context of the statement demands that James does not exclude physical healing as an answer to prayer, though he does seem to mean something broader than only a physical healing. We should pray for others in faith, expecting that God will heal them, then leave the matter in God’s hands.

Clearly, God does not grant immediate healing for every prayer of faith, and the reasons are hidden in the heart and mind of God. Still, many are not healed simply because there is no prayer of faith offered. The best approach in praying for the sick is to pray with humble confidence that they will be healed, unless God clearly and powerfully makes it clear that this is not His will. Having prayed, we simply leave the matter to God.

I have prayed for many people in my lifetime. Many have not been healed instantly, but have experienced different aspect of healing either shortly thereafter. For instance, peace of mind represents an aspect of healing. 

My favorite comment on the concept of "unanswered healing prayer" is, 

"When we prayed for all people some got healed. When we prayed no one no one got healed." 

This is a great way to look at the motive and outcome of praying for someone who is sick. I pray for everyone who is sick no matter what the situation is. I trust God will answer the prayer in His will, in His way, and in His Time!