Life According to JamesSýnishorn

Conquering Afflictions

“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.” James 5:16 NIV

In this last chapter of James, he ends much like he began, speaking to the various trials we will face as believers. He talks about suffering, and he mentions two forms: oppression from the wealthy and physical sickness.

Warning to Rich Oppressors

James speaks harsh words, perhaps in defense of his Christian brothers who have been persecuted, to the rich. This is the fourth time in this book that he mentions the love of money as source of downfall. It reminds me of Paul’s warning in 1 Timothy 6:

“People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” 1 Timothy 6:9-10 NIV

Judgment is promised for those who hoard wealth and live in luxury and self-indulgence. Remember, Jesus Himself said, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:23 NIV

Patience in Suffering

Disciples are encouraged to keep the faith, and be patient, even in the face of suffering. He points our eyes to the fact that the Lord is returning one day to take us to be with Him. There, we will have no more tears, no more suffering. He warns against grumbling while we are waiting to be delivered. Remember the Israelites who grumbled on their way to the Promised Land and were cursed. James reminds us of the story of Job, the man who faced the most horrible suffering, but was redeemed. He exclaims, “The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:11 NIV

The Prayer of Faith

For those who are facing trouble or facing sickness, James gives some of the most specific instructions in the early church on how we are to minister to one another. He tells such a person to 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.” James 5:14-15 NIV

It is clear that this life of faith is not intended to be lived alone. James affirms that God wants us to live in Christian community and carry one another’s burdens. Sickness, which is part of life, is yet another opportunity for God’s glory to be revealed. And He wants us to be people of prayer, expecting to see miracles.

This is an exclamation point on this holy exhortation called the book of James. God has called us to be warriors in the faith. We are to be living out this faith, no matter the cost, even reveling in our trials because we know our gracious Lord is in control. We are to reflect our Lord in action and in speech, bearing the fruit of righteousness. We are to give our lives to God, today, and tomorrow, and forever, submitting ourselves to His plans.

Amen.