Monthly Archive for January, 2001

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James 5:14

Published on January 21, 2001 in James. 0 Comments
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“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.”
 
James now turns to a special case of a believer who fell sick due to protracted sin in his life.  He was on the verge of committing the sin unto death (5:20). 
Is anyone among you sick?
The word “sick” means to lack strength, to be weak.  The idea may be weak from spiritual sickness, a state of incapacity.  The New Testament uses “sick” fourteen times to refer to emotional or spiritual powerlessness (Acts 20:35; Ro. 4:19; 8:3; 14:1–2; 1 Co. 8:11–12; 2 Co. 11:21, 29; 12:10; 13:3–4, 9). 
Rom. 6: 19 “I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.”
The New Testament uses this word of physical sickness only three times (Ph. 2:26–27; 2 Ti. 4:20).  The word “sick” in the next verse means faint (5:15).  Therefore, the term here means weak due to spiritual failure.  The people James addresses are those defeated in spiritual battle and are under God’s discipline of physical sickness.  Sin is clearly in view in the next verse (5:15). 
James presents the idea that unless a Christian confesses and deals with his sin, God will set him on a course of physical sickness or even death (1:15, 21; 5:20).  Physical sickness sometimes comes from long-lasting sinful behavior.   
Let him call for the elders of the church,
James encourages the sick to urgently request the elders to help him spiritually.  The word “elders” is another term for leader.  A leader in the local church was someone spiritually qualified and with the maturity to lead others in spiritual restoration (Acts 14:23; 20:17; Ph. 1:1; 1 Ti. 5:17; Ti. 1:5).  
and let them pray over him,
We find help in our spiritual defeat in spiritually mature leadership.
PRINCIPLE: 
God delights in restoring fallen believers. 
APPLICATION: 
God is in the business of encouraging the discouraged and distressed believer.  He does this by spiritual restoration.  If a Christian sins, God will forgive him.  Sometimes believers need mature Christian leadership to help them with their restoration. 
If you are morally defeated and disheartened, God will give you sustaining grace to lift you out of your spiritual quagmire. 
Ga 6:1 “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.”
God sometimes puts a believer to death because of protracted, unconfessed sin (De 28:22,27; Jn 5:14; 1 Co 11:30). 
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James 5:13b

Published on January 20, 2001 in James. 0 Comments
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"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms."
 
 
Is anyone cheerful?
 
“Cheerful” means to put in good spirits. This word comes from two words: good and soul. A “cheerful” person is someone who has a healthy soul, a joyful attitude. He is a person with prosperity in his soul, therefore, he has spiritual vitality. 
 
Ps 5: 11 “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;
            Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;
            Let those also who love Your name
            Be joyful in You.”
 
Ps 16: 11 “You will show me the path of life;
            In Your presence is fullness of joy;
            At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
 
1 Pe 1: 8 “…whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory…”
 
1 Jn 1: 4 “And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.”
 
Let him sing psalms
 
The word “sing psalms” primarily means to twitch, twang [as with a bow string], then to play a stringed instrument with the fingers. The New Testament usage carries the idea to sing a hymn, sing praise [accompanied by musical instruments]. The innate answer of a cheerful heart is to sing praise to God. There is a time for prayer and then there is a time of joy. 
 
Ac 16: 25 “But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.”
 
The filling of the Spirit produces a song in the heart.
 
Ep 5: 18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.”
 
PRINCIPLE: 
 
Spiritual singing is an expression of spiritual joy. 
 
APPLICATION: 
 
There is a time for prayer and then there is a time of joy. A gal says “yes” to a date so the guy sings in the shower. Singing is an expression of joy. Spiritual singing is an expression of spiritual joy. This is the ecstasy of spirituality. This is a healthy soul. 
 
Co 3: 16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.”
 
1 Co 14: 15 “What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.”
 
There is a right time for everything. There is a time to pray and there is a time to sing. In all, God is sufficient. We relate everything we are and have to God. God’s will is right in every situation. 

 

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James 5:13

Published on January 19, 2001 in James. 0 Comments
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"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms."

 

James now turns from improper actions when a person is under duress and takes up two proper ways to deal with life: prayer and praise – two neglected areas of the Christian life (5:13-18). 
 
Is anyone among you suffering?
 
The word “suffering” signifies to suffer hardship. James now addresses his comments to those enduring hardship, misfortune and trouble. Many of his readers fled from Palestine under the persecution of Acts 8:1-4 and dispersed through the Roman Empire (1:1). The context of healing from this verse forward is not physical healing but the healing of hurts from people through prayer. 
 
2 Ti 2: 8 “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.”
 
2 Ti 4: 5 “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
 
Let him pray.
 
The New Testament always uses the word “pray” for prayer to God. The antidote to hardship is to pray. When a Christian endures hardships, he must commit himself to intense prayer. The Greek indicates that we are to keep on praying when we engage trouble. 
 
Ep 6: 18 “…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…”
 
PRINCIPLE: 
 
Prayer is the believer’s great weapon in times of adversity. 
 
APPLICATION: 
 
Nothing is more important during trial than prayer. We need to pray as individuals and we need to pray with others. If we do not pray, we will grumble, fret and complain about everything. We find relief from affliction in prayer. Paul prayed three times about a physical problem he endured.
 
2 Co 12: 7 “And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
 
Times of affliction are times for prayer in God’s economy. We can become upset, perplexed, unhappy, provoked, irritated or resentful in times of stress or we can put our tensions in the hands of God by prayer. We keep praying until we get an answer – “Yes” or “No.” We may not get an answer right away. God will answer in His timing. “Don’t get discouraged in prayer. Keep it up.” Prayer is the believer’s great weapon in times of adversity. 
 
Ph 4: 6 “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
 
Prayer will keep us from capitulating to outside pressure.
 
Ps. 27: 13 “I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
            That I would see the goodness of the Lord
            In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord;
            Be of good courage,
            And He shall strengthen your heart;
            Wait, I say, on the Lord!”
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James 5:12c

Published on January 18, 2001 in James. 0 Comments
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“But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.”
 
But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,”
Anything other that straightforward speech is outside the will of God.  Lies are chronic to men.  They get this habit from their father, the father of lies.
Jn 8: 44 “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
The reason we need oaths in courts of laws is to compel people to declare where they stand based on their word legally set forth.  On the other hand, Christians do not need an oath process to verify their word. 
lest you fall into judgment
We invite God’s judgment to ourselves if we behave contrary to straightforward speech.  The believer will fall into divine chastening if he brings God into a false oath. 
Ex. 20: 7 “You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.”
The following passage shows how the believer falls into divine discipline:
·        Death, 5:14-15
·        Loss of health, 5:16
PRINCIPLE: 
We need to guard our speech to maintain integrity. 
APPLICATION: 
The Christian should not go to the extent of imploring a divine being to sanction the truthfulness of what he says.  His word should be honest and straightforward.  This is why James commands his readers to stop swearing by oaths.  People with integrity do not need to swear by an oath because, having kept their word in the past, people believe what they say.
God’s concern is how we communicate in our ordinary conversations.  In times of duress and stress, it is easy to make a false pledge.  God desires that we be genuine in what we say rather than attaching a rash promise to our statement.  Integrity should always guard our speech. 
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James 5:12b

Published on January 17, 2001 in James. 0 Comments
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“But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment.”
 
or with any other oath.
An “oath” is something that restrains a person, an enclosure.  It is something pledged or promised with an oath.  The idea is that this person makes a promise to cover a lie.  The promise is a front for a lie, “As God is my witness, I will…” 
Jesus condemned the minute and arbitrary restrictions imposed by the scribes and Pharisees in the matter of adjurations, by which they profaned God’s name. 
Paul’s language in Galatians 1:20 and 1 Thessalonians 5:27 is consistent with Jesus’ prohibition if we consider the context. 
Jews of the first century swore by oaths other than the name of God when they wanted to lie about something. 
Mt. 5: 33 “Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform your oaths to the Lord.’ 34 But I say to you, do not swear at all: neither by heaven, for it is God’s throne; 35 nor by the earth, for it is His footstool; nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. 36 Nor shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black. 37 But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil one.”
Oaths in the Old Testament served to bind legal contracts in a time when very few written agreements existed.  The oath verbally attested something as true.  The Word of God does not prohibit taking oaths in court or an oath in marriage.  Oaths are wrong when they deceive others.  God Himself took oaths in the Bible (He 6:13-17). 
God’s unconditional covenants [contracts] are an example of this (e.g., the Abrahamic Covenant, Ge 12-18).  God made it compulsive that people take oaths in the Old Testament (Ex 22:10-11; Nu 5:19-22; 6:2f; 30:2f; Ps. 15:1–4).  Paul took oaths (Ac 18:18; Ro 1:9; 2 Co 1:23; 11:31). 
PRINCIPLE: 
God expects the believer to be open and frank in his communications. 
APPLICATION: 
Here is the way we make false oaths today: “I swear on my mother’s grave.  I swear on a stack of Bibles.  I cross my heart and hope to die.”  All these attempts at persuasion are fabrications and dishonesty. 
Mt 23: 16 “Woe to you, blind guides, who say, ‘Whoever swears by the temple, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gold of the temple, he is obliged to perform it.’ 17 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gold or the temple that sanctifies the gold? 18 And, ‘Whoever swears by the altar, it is nothing; but whoever swears by the gift that is on it, he is obliged to perform it.’ 19 Fools and blind! For which is greater, the gift or the altar that sanctifies the gift? 20 Therefore he who swears by the altar, swears by it and by all things on it. 21 He who swears by the temple, swears by it and by Him who dwells in it. 22 And he who swears by heaven, swears by the throne of God and by Him who sits on it.”
A spiritual believer should be candid, frank and open in his communications.  A carnal believer makes patsies of people by pseudo oaths.  They love to blame other people for their mistakes.
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James 5:12

Published on January 16, 2001 in James. 0 Comments
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"But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath. But let your “Yes” be “Yes,” and your “No,” “No,” lest you fall into judgment."

 

But
 
Impatience and grumbling can lead to rash speech and false oaths.
 
above all,
 
Our speech represents our spiritual condition so we should be careful that we make sure that we put priority on communication with integrity. 
 
my brethren,
 
James addresses his concerns about making false oaths to members of the family of God. These believers use oaths as a cover for their false claims. 
 
do not swear, either by heaven or by earth
 
The word “swear” here does not mean profanity, blasphemy or dirty talk. The New Testament uses the word “swear” for affirming or denying by a solemn oath. The word means to affirm, promise, threaten, with a religious oath. This gives a religious guarantee to validate their statement. 
 
PRINCIPLE: 
 
It violates Christian principle to affirm the truth of a statement by calling on a divine being to execute sanctions against a person if the statement in question is not true. 
 
APPLICATION: 
 
When we swear by anything in God’s province, we bring God into the deal. Some people use God as a front for their falsehood. This makes our lie more impressive to the unwary. When we make an opinion and portray it as truth, we lie. 
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James 5:11c

Published on January 15, 2001 in James. 0 Comments
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“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
 
that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful
The only time this word “compassionate” occurs in the New Testament is in this verse.  “Compassionate” means many boweled, full of pity, very kind.  It comes from two words: much and heart. 
Ex. 34: 6 “And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed, ‘The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth…’”
Num. 14: 18 ‘The Lord is longsuffering and abundant in mercy, forgiving iniquity and transgression; but He by no means clears the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation.”
Ps 86:5 “For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive,
And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”
PRINCIPLE: 
We know God’s compassion by His promises. 
APPLICATION: 
The compassion and mercy of God do not seem real to us when we go through deep trial.  We know that God has compassion toward us because the Word of God says that He does.  We claim God’s compassion on our lives by faith in the promises. 
Rom. 8: 28 “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
Eph. 2: 4 “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.”
Lam. 3: 22 “Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
23 They are new every morning;
Great is Your faithfulness.”
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James 5:11b

Published on January 14, 2001 in James. 0 Comments
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“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
 
and seen the end intended by the Lord—
The “end” is the outcome of the Lord’s dealings with Job.  This is the purpose that God had in store for Job.  God always looks at the ultimate end of our suffering.  God seemed far away to Job but His compassion was there all the time.
PRINCIPLE: 
God never wastes any adversity that comes our way for He has a purpose in everything that happens to us. 
APPLICATION: 
When we take confidence in God’s purpose for suffering, we develop tenacity of soul.  It is worth waiting for God’s purpose for our life.  He never wastes any event in our life.  Each thing that comes into our lives is under His eternal design.  He concurs with each event in our life.  He may not approve of some things we choose to do but He allows us to do it. 
God does everything according to a plan.  Nothing is random in that plan.  God can see the end from the beginning so His plan is perfect. 
Job 42: 10 “And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. 11 Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold. 12 Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. 13 He also had seven sons and three daughters. 14 And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-Happuch. 15 In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers. 16 After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. 17 So Job died, old and full of days.”
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James 5:11

Published on January 13, 2001 in James. 0 Comments
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“Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.”
 
Indeed we count them blessed who endure.
The word “blessed” does not mean happy but a well-ordered soul, a person who is fortunate.  Jesus used this same term in the beatitudes. 
Mt 5: 10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
The word “count” gives perspective on those who undergo trials in God’s will – they are blessed. 
There are two basic words for endurance.  The first one used earlier in the chapter means to endure people.  The word for endurance in this verse means to endure circumstances (“endure” and “perseverance”).  The word here for “endure” means to carry a load.  Sometimes the Lord lays heavy burdens on us. 
You have heard of the perseverance of Job
Job is the classic example of “perseverance.”  The word “perseverance” means to abide under, to remain under instead of giving up.  This person does not flee from his problems but has the fortitude to hang in there.  He stands his ground; he stands firm.  He continues to bear up under difficulties, resistance and opposition.  He can put up with a lot. 
Job put up with a lot.  He lost his wealth, his health, his children, his reputation and the support of his wife (Job 2:9).  Even his three friends abandon him (Job 16:1).  It is of note that James does not say that Job had “patience” (5:8-10) but that he had the fortitude to hang in there. 
1 Co 9: 12 “If others are partakers of this right over you, are we not even more? Nevertheless we have not used this right, but endure all things lest we hinder the gospel of Christ.”
2 Ti 2: 10 “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
Ja 1: 12 “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.”  
PRINCIPLE: 
High character will maintain fortitude in the Lord during times of duress. 
APPLICATION: 
It pays to be persistent through trials in our walk with the Lord.  Our reaction to trouble is the measure of our character.  Should we face reversals such as loss of a family member, loss of possessions, loss of business, how would we react?  A believer of high character maintains faithfulness to the Lord and His Word. 
Job 13: 15 “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him.”
Job 19: 25 “For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God,
27 Whom I shall see for myself,
And my eyes shall behold, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!…”
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James 5:10

Published on January 12, 2001 in James. 0 Comments
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“My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.”
 
My brethren,
James owns his readers as his own family, the family of God. 
take the prophets,
The prophets suffered even though they had a high calling.  James mentions the prophets because they were men of the Word.  It was their understanding of the principles of the Word that sustained them in trial. 
who spoke in the name of the Lord,
The prophets represented the Lord in what they said.  People rejected them as they represented the Lord while preaching the Word.  The prophets told them things they did not what to hear so the people persecuted them.  Elijah fled from Jezebel.  They put Daniel into prison.  Micaiah refused to speak anything but the Word of God to Ahab so Ahab put him into prison. 
as an example
An “example” is a sign suggestive of something, a figure, form, copy.  The Greek word is composed of two words: under and to show.  An example is something that is shown under, hence, a sign suggestive of something, a representation.  An example is something that we should imitate, a model, pattern.  The example of the prophets is something to which we can point our finger.  Jesus is an example as well. 
Jn 13: 15 “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.”
of suffering and patience
The prophets were examples of how to handle suffering and express patience under duress.  The word “suffering” comes from two words: evil and to suffer.  A person who suffers undergoes evil, trouble, distress.  This is an afflicted person.  The prophets were afflicted people.  They were men of God and spoke in the name of the Lord yet they suffered from the hands of men.  They endured poor treatment from those who rejected their message.
2 Ch 36: 15 “And the Lord God of their fathers sent warnings to them by His messengers, rising up early and sending them, because He had compassion on His people and on His dwelling place. 16 But they mocked the messengers of God, despised His words, and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people, till there was no remedy.”
“Patience” is the long holding out of mind before it caves into its passions.  The prophets did not give into resentments because of their persecutions.  The higher ideal of the will of God gave them self-restraint. 
PRINCIPLE: 
God’s standard is that we hold out long under suffering before we cave into our passions by accepting the will of God for our lives.
APPLICATION: 
Affliction is part of the Christian life.  We will not be free from trouble until we go to be with the Lord.  If we try to live a trouble free life, we head for frustration.  There is no such ethereal state before we get to eternity.  God does not promise us freedom from affliction until we go to be with Him. 
2 Ti 2: 8 “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. 10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.”
God wants us to imitate the virtue of the prophets — patience with people under suffering.  Our reactions are more telling sometimes than our actions.  God wants us to react to suffering with patience.  He wants us to do it with loooongsuffering.  God’s standard is that we hold out for a long time before we give into our passions or anger.  We do not allow resentment to grab hold of us. 
2 Ti 4: 5 “But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”
Longsuffering under trial produces tenacity of soul. 
Ro 5: 3 “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; 4 and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
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