James 5 - No Means No!

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. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

James rebuked the Jewish Christians on many issues. Their lives were not in alignment with the faith they professed. In today's reading they were not only hoarding the money they had made, but they were oppressing the poor, apparently to the point some of their children died. But God heard the cries of those who were being exploited. The sin of greed and the oppression of the poor has many consequences. 

1. By putting money first, they were storing up treasures on earth where moths and rusts will destroy. 

2. Instead of being just and pay their workers what they deserved, they withheld their wages whcih had the effect of starving them. 

3. They failed to remember God had provided them with their wealth. They would be accountable to Him for their terrible stewardship. 

What we do with our money matters to God? Are you investing your money for God's purposes? Are you generous toward the poor and others in financial need? 

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!

James moves now to preparing them for the Lord's second coming. Though they needed to address the issues he has addressed, James moves the focus to why they should do these things . And he makes a valuable point. As you plant the seed, you will not see the results right away.  

Instead of bickering back and forth, they need to focus on their mission. When our focus is on mission and working together, we will move away from bickering and being right all the time. A church that has constant conflict will not grow. It is a toxicity that poisons the whole family system. 

When we invite people to church, share our faith, and do acts of mercy in the name of Jesus, all of these things are plant seeds in people's hearts. As we wait for the harvest to come we must remember Jesus is coming soon.   

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 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.

As the believers suffer for Jesus as they speak his name, James tells them to follow the example of the prophets. Job was an excellent example of a person who suffered for his faith not for anything he had done. Job lost everything, but refused to curse God, even after all of his friends abandoned him and told him to give up faith in God. 

Finally, James warns against making rash vows. It is easy for us to get excited about something, give our verbal commitment, only to realize we had already committed to something or someone else. Oftentimes we say "yes" to get someone's approval or affirmation. Instead of saying "yes" to soemthing someone asks us to do it would be wiser to say, "I appreciate the offer. Let me pray about it and get back to you!"

In addition we need to learn to say "no" to something and mean it. Sometimes we say "no" only to give in later. "No" can be one of most powerful words, especially when we have a bigger "yes" inside of us. It is also important to say "no" when people cross our boundaries. It may seem "mean" but setting boundaries is a very loving thing to do. By setting boundaries you teach people that you respect yourself and them. 

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. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Verses 15-20 are some of the most specific and descriptive passages about what healing prayer looked like in the first century church. 

When someone is sick James instructs them to call the "elders". The "elders" were the spiritual leaders of the congregation, very similar to what a pastor would be today. Today pastors often equip others to pray for others. In our church we have a trained prayer team that prays for others.  During communion, when people come forward, they can receive the body and blood of Christ and then be prayed for healing. 

We also anoint with oil as James commands. Oil is a sign of the Holy Spirit. Anointing with oil was a practice in the Old Testament when kings were coronated. Just as the bread and wine are symbols of Christ's body and blood, so oil is a symbol of healing. The word "salvation" come from the word "salve', which means healing. 

James also teaches about the importance of confession of sin in connection with healing prayer. While we need healing of our body, we also need healing for our soul. When our relationship with God is "broken", we need inner healing, as we confess our sins to each other. For me it is important to have other men in my life that I can confess my sins to. I think it is good for a woman to confess their sins to women, and men to men. I think this is a healthy model, especially when someone needs to confess something more personal. 

Finally, James urges them to pray for and search for those who have wandered away from the faith. Most of us at one point or another have wandered away from our faith. Often God used another individual to lead us back to faith. James says that in leading someone back to faith, they may be saving them from a multitude of sins, or even death. 

When we stray away from God, He does not forget us or refuse to offer us His grace, but He has also won't make us come back to Him. When we go out on our own and choose a life of sin, there are no guarantees for what this can lead to. This is why it is good to confess and repent of your sin, before you delve deeper into sin and darkness! 

Do you have someone you can confess your sins to other than your pastor? When is the last time you have met with someone to discuss your spiritual condition? We need each and one of the most important ways we can be there for someone is when they need a confessor!