Morning Moments

JAMES Devotional Outline

V. Miscellaneous Messes 5:1-20
A. External Pressue 5:1-12
1. Treasure 5:1-3
2. Treatment 5:4-11
a. Exploitation 5:4
b. Existentialism 5:5-6
c. Exhortation 5:7-11
3. Truth 5:12
B. Internal Pressure 5:13-20
1. Condition 5:13-14a
2. Call 5:14b-15
3. Confession 5:16

5:16. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Again we cannot isolate a verse to make it a proof text, but must consider the verse in context. A careless reading of this verse might imply that we go to church and tell it all publicly and have the brethren pray for us and we get well from our physical malady, but is that what the verse is really saying?

The context is the use of the tongue in praying and confessing. The situation seems to be one who is ill due to the judgment of God, who realizes what he/she has done and has judged himself/herself so and has called for the assembly leaders in order to confess (agree with God and them) that sin. Although the text does not assume that sin is the cause of the illness, the Jews of the early church did believe that sin and sickness were connected according to Mk 2:5-11; Jo 5:14; 1 Co 11:30.

In any event, confession of sins was an important part of the healing process in the Old Testament because it demonstrated remorse and humility. Personally, I think the context makes it clear that the healing in question is physical that is produced from spiritual and not a question of either or. The "salvation" in question cannot be "born again" again because of verse 19. It is a brother who has erred from the truth, has been judged of God for it, is sick and recognizes that the sickness may be "unto death" unless he repents and sincerely does not wish to meet God in this manner. Verse nineteen indicates they have "saved" the man from death not hell. Only God can save a man from hell, but you and I can "save" an erring brother from physical death by praying for him and upon his confession of his sins (specific).

Compare this to the "like passions" of Elijah. Why would God insert this phrase? Because this prophet of God had his failures and sins, but he PRAYED, and that is what we are to do. He felt such deep remorse and anguish and FEAR for running away (erring from the truth), that he wanted to die. I understand that I have reversed the sequence of the particular event, but the point is the same and it was not the first or only failure or sin in the prophet's life. He was a man - JUST LIKE US.

Some may think I am stretching the truth here, but I honestly believe it is the only truth that completely fits the context. Believe what you will but you cannot deny or disregard the context.

4. Confirmation 5:17-18

5:17. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Does God focus here upon the prophet's failure or his faith? Obviously, his faith! THAT IS THE POINT! You and I have and will fail. We all err from the truth occasionally, whether intentionally or unintentionally, whether willfully or ignorantly - as was demonstrated by the scapegoat and the lamb, but we can be forgiven and "healed" or restored to spiritual fellowship and/or physical strength as the case may be, but we must confess (agree with God) and pray (petition God) which will then lead us to praise God for His love and forgiveness.

Elijah is a confirmation of what our loving Father and compassionate Lord will do for you and me. And if He will do it for us, He will do it for others, which is why we must "convert the sinner (the erring brother) from the error of his way.

5. Conversion 5:19-20

5:19. Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20. Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

It is very important that we not confuse two Bible doctrines: 1) Sin unto death and 2) Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Most Baptists I know do not have a clue about the meaning of the second, including some of the most brilliant theologians. On this matter I am reminded of old Methodist Evangelist Sam Jones who use to say, "I would rather know my abc(s) in Heaven than Hebrew and Greek in Hell." But let consider the first which is the subject of our text. We shall reserve the second for another study.

In Paul's first letter to the Corinthians, he spoke of God's judgment upon believers who erred from the truth regarding the Lord's body. He says that because some of the believers at Corinth had not "discerned" or "doubting" or "in question about" the Lord's body. He continues by saying that for this cause some "among you" are weak and sick and some have died.

Again in the same letter in chapter 5 there is the issue of the man (called a brother) about whom it was reported that he was having sex with his step mother (father's wife). He says that the Corinthians were "puffed up" about it. THINK ABOUT THIS! "Oh brother, we understand. We are all sinners and we just love each other." Did you ever hear such nonsense? Sure you have! Paul says, "Deal with it!" - make a judgment about this, condemn this action, God does not approve of it and neither should you.

So, Paul says break fellowship with him and don't even eat with him but treat him as a lost man, and infidel, a pagan because that is how he is living. He makes it clear that there is a distinction between one who claims to be a brother and lives like this and one who does not claim to be a Christian and lives like this.

But the point is that Paul goes on to say that fellowship is not to be continued with sexually immoral people who "claim to be Christians", but not only that, but also those whose lifestyles are that of "one who strives for material possessions," or "swindlers" - meaning thieves or those who prey upon others, or "idolaters" - those who participate in "body worship" and sexual worship as many do today. He goes on to add to his list those who are slanderers or abusive, or drunkards (drug addicts). NOW LET'S BE CLEAR!

We would have to leave the world not to associate with people who fit these descriptions and Paul states that clearly, BUT theses are NOT to be called or considered CHRISTIANS and if those whose "lifestyle" (not merely fall and repent, but remain) is ungodly, they must be considered non-Christian and treated not as brothers and sisters, but as sinners who need to repent and be saved. These things lead to death if continue by believers and is why Paul said, "I have delivered such an one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh that his soul may be saved..." THAT IS SIN UNTO DEATH. Paul says if a person lives like this and says he/she is a Christian we are NOT to pray for them but deliver them over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh.

THAT IS TOUGH teaching and you don't find much of it today because we want to love and accept everything and believe that our children who joined the church at 12 were really saved even though they have lived like hell for years. Something is wrong with this picture!

Paul is simply saying, if I may put it in my own words as a daddy - "Lord, I would rather my children be taken home by you early than to remain here with us and be a reproach to you, so I ask you to save them FROM their sins, and grow them into godly men and women of truth and Biblical love for Jesus sake."

I realize that there are many who will argue with this, but the argument is emotional and not Biblical. Look at 1 John 5:16 -
5:16. If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.

We must always FIRST seek reconciliation to God by rebuke, reproof, and/or exhortation, and when we do this it must be with long-suffering and according the the truth of the Word of God (doctrine). It might even be done, though not specifically stated here, but by one, then two or three, and in some cases by the assembly. Let me make this clear! He who sins before all is to be rebuked before all, but we confess our sins within the sphere of our sins (if family, then family; if friends, then friends, etc). Don't go babbling personal sins to the whole church - they won't forget them - God will.

Enough said for now!

BLESSINGS!