True Friends

The church is not an institution or building.  Rather, it is a fellowship of brothers and sisters who have the strong bond of being one in Christ through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.  Followers of Christ have something in common that no other group of people can ever hope to experience.  We all have the same remarkable experience and are now part of the same spiritual family.  Church is the one place where true, genuine friendships ought to be fostered and strengthened.  Doing life together is a much better option than being independent.  However, such friendships can be severely tested when good people begin to drift.

Wandering Off

Jesus predicted that in the final days of this present age the love of many would grow cold.  We are seeing this happen right now.  The paradox of our times is that while the church globally is experiencing unprecedented numerical growth, we are also witnessing a devastating falling away from the Faith.  Anyone who is engaged in witnessing will testify to the vast numbers of people who could easily be described as ‘backslidden’.  They are everywhere.  People who were once zealous for the cause of Christ now live as if they have never heard His name.  Like the sheep in the parable of Luke 17, there are a lot of people who have gone astray.  Whatever our understanding of the doctrine of eternal security, it is clear from verse 19 that it is possible for any of us to wader from the Truth.

True Friendship

The lost sheep in the parable was not written off by the shepherd who left the other ninety nine on the hillside in order to search out the one that had gone astray.  Sadly, organised religion is well practiced at cutting off those who have gone astray.  But the Good Shepherd is different.  Failures are on His agenda.  We, too, are called to follow this example.  Those who have wandered from the truth have done so for a wide variety of reasons and many are in desperate need of a good, godly friend to help them.  As the proverb teaches us, a brother is born for adversity.  It is the duty of a friend to do everything possible to bring the wanderer back.  Such people are our spiritual family, our brothers and sisters, the friends with whom we have grown in faith.  This is their hour of greatest need and they need their godly friends.

Rescued

For those who drift from the truth, the stakes are high.  James speaks here about a multitude of sins and eventual death.  When tempted to turn back from the plough we would do well to remind ourselves of the dire consequences.  The world has nothing to offer the Christian except a lot of pain and heartache.  When a lost sheep is restored to the flock we are told that there is more rejoicing than over the ninety nine that didn’t need rescuing.  Amazingly, the grace of God covers over a multitude of sins.  It is possible for the wanderer to be restored.

The early church devoted themselves to fellowship because they understood the importance of having good Christian friends.  Develop good friendships and be a good friend, and look out for each other.

Elijah

One evangelist, when asked toward the end of his life what he would have done differently if given the chance, said he would have spent more time praying.  Of all the traits James picks out of Elijah’s life, he chooses to highlight his prayer life.  The power behind the anointed prophet was personal prayer.  Elijah’s dynamic life flowed from earnest prayer.  This incident from the Old Testament is written to highlight the importance and power of prayer in the live of every servant of God.

The Man

It is easy, when reading the Bible, to think of the characters as being more holy, perfect and powerful than you or me.  Surely, that is part of the criteria for getting into the Bible?  However, the Scriptures are full of ordinary people who were just like you and me.  They had strengths and weaknesses, successes and failures, godliness and sin, pleasant memories and regrets, good friends and dysfunctional relationships.  Elijah did not get his prayers answered because he was better than us.  Far from it, James makes the point that Elijah was a man just like us.  He had the same insecurities, weaknesses, flaws and challenges that we all face.  He was human.  Elijah’s life story is not in the Bible to impress and intimidate us.  His story is there to encourage us.  Like Elijah, we are ordinary people with an extraordinary God.  If God answered Elijah’s prayers, He can answer our prayers.

The Prayer

Elijah prayed two very specific and public prayers.  Everyone could see whether his prayers were answered or not.  This is one reason why he prayed earnestly.  Many times our prayers lack passion because the stakes are low.  But when everything has been laid on the line, prayer becomes a life or death activity.  We can get used to making small, irrelevant requests when we pray.  But God is glorified by magnificent, impossible to answer prayers.  He can do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power at work in us (Ephesians 3:20).  So let’s get praying some bold prayers.

The Answer

We are told what Elijah prayed for, and we are told that God answered him.  Simple.  When did we make prayer more complicated than that?  Jesus promised, “Ask and it will be given… for everyone who asks, receives.” (Matthew 7:7-8)  When genuine, heartfelt requests are made by ordinary people, God answers.

Elijah saw great things, not because he was a great man, but because he was a praying man.  He was no different to us and we should take encouragement from his example.  Get praying!

Powerful Prayer

The context of this verse is a loving, caring Christian community that does life together, is honest and open with each other and prays together.  The strength of any and every local church is in the prayer life of its people.  Salvation, healing, restoration, miracles and unity happen when the church is praying, and praying for each other.  Whatever else is vital for a healthy church, prayer has got to be near the top of our list of priorities.  Part of our witness to the world is a commitment to pray selflessly for our spiritual family.

Prayer

Prayer is the most powerful activity that we can engage in.  All other resources are finite, but prayer puts us into the realm of the infinite.  With God all things are possible and to those who believe anything is possible.  Hard work and effort can achieve some things, but prayer can accomplish the impossible.  Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them to pray and every generation of believers has to learn the same lesson.  When we pray we are confessing our total reliance on God and our devotion to one another.  Our contemporary world needs a church that knows how to pray.

Righteousness

The basis of our prayer life is righteousness.  God does not listen to us because we are sincere, earnest or pious.  Nor does He choose to hear our prayers based on a whim.  God turns His ear to righteous people.  The problem, of course, is that there aren’t any righteous people.  ‘There is no one righteous, no even one’.  (Romans 3:10)  But at the point of conversion when we repented and put our faith in Jesus, God justified us and clothed us with the righteousness of Christ.  In God’s eyes we are right with Him, through faith in Jesus.  So every believer can be assured that when they pray, God always hears and responds.  ‘Lord, hear our prayer,’ is an Old Testament, Old Covenant plea which has no place in Christian practice.  It has been replaced with the New Testament, New Covenant, ‘In the Name of Jesus.”  God will listen when we pray because of who Jesus is and what He has done for us.

Effectiveness

This makes the prayer of a Christian the most influential activity in life.  It far surpasses anything else.  Believers get to bypass rulers and authorities and go straight to Almighty God.  If you are sick you could go to the doctor, but in prayer you get to bypass every health professional and go straight to the top.  If you are in financial need you could go to your employer or the bank, but in prayer you can speak to the Source and Supplier of every need.  If someone you love is making a mess of their lives you could try and reason with them, but in prayer you can pour out your heart to the Author of life who is more than a match for the toughest soul.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

A righteous person who prays is the most powerful and effective person alive.  So renew your confidence in the power of prayer and get praying.

Healing

The Bible is clear that Jesus heals the sick.  “When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfil what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.””  The book of Hebrews declares, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8)  Today, Christ is still healing people.

In this verse James highlights three issues that are important in the ministry of healing.

Faith

When praying for the sick, faith is essential.  We can’t please God without faith (Hebrews 11:6).  Without faith there is little hope of the ill person making a recovery.  Faith was an issue in the ministry of Jesus when it came to healing the sick.  On a visit to His home town Jesus was faced with cynicism that made the atmosphere inhospitable to faith.  “Jesus said to them, “Only in his hometown, among his relatives and in his own house is a prophet without honour.” He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith.” (Mark 6:4-6)  In this verse from James, the emphasis is on the elders to have and exercise faith when praying for the sick. If you don’t believe a person will be healed when you pray for them, don’t bother praying.  Of course, if a person is not healed you cannot just assume that the elders lacked faith!  But it is a possibility.

Sin

Another issue mentioned here is that of sin.  James says that in the context of being prayed for, the ill person must deal with sin in their life.  What has sin got to do with being ill?  In a general sense, all sickness is the direct result of sin.  Before Adam sinned in Eden there was no sickness.  Adam’s sin brought corruption, and disease is one of the consequences of that sin.  In a more specific case, the sin of the individual can bring about sickness.  For example, the incredible increase in STDs in our contemporary society is a result of sexual immorality.  Obesity (what the Bible call ‘gluttony’) is the cause of many ailments.  Failure to observe a Sabbath rest is the cause of much stress and heart disease.  Bitterness is the cause of high blood pressure and other related problems.  If sin is involved, prayer will not be enough.  Repentance is required in order to receive healing and maintain health.  Again, if a person is not healed you cannot just assume that the sick person has sin in their life!  But it is a possibility.

Sovereignty

The wonderful promise of this verse is that if we obey God and do what the Bible says, the Lord will raise the sick person up.  Ultimately, it is not the elders who heal.  Jesus heals.  Healing is a miraculous work of sovereignty on God’s part.  Healing is not the result of a system of faith.  It is received as a gift of grace from a loving Saviour.

Jesus heals the sick.  Let our faith rise as we think about what the Bible says.

Illness

People fall ill.  Since Adam fell into sin at the beginning of human history and death was introduced into creation, humanity has been subject to weakness.  From nowhere, sickness can blight our life.  Yet the Bible makes a remarkable comment on the God we serve.  “If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.” (Exodus 15:26)  Jesus is the healer.

This is what James teaches should happen if a believer falls ill.

What should a sick person do?

If a believer falls ill, they should call on their spiritual leaders and shepherds to pray for them and their recovery.  In the Old Testament King Asa is cited as an example of someone who did not seek help from spiritual men when he fell ill.  “In the thirty-ninth year of his reign Asa was afflicted with a disease in his feet. Though his disease was severe, even in his illness he did not seek help from the LORD, but only from the physicians.” (2 Chronicles 16:12)  Asa was happy to go to the doctors, but he never sought prayer for his healing.  Sadly, Asa is typical of many Christians in today’s world.  What should the sick person do?  Call for the elders of the church to pray over him.

What should the elders do?

Part of an elder’s role is to pray for those who are sick.  In a farming context, a shepherd looks out for the wellbeing of his sheep and seeks to bring healing if one of them falls ill.  Similarly, a spiritual pastor is constantly overseeing the wellbeing of his flock and seeks to pray for healing if one of them becomes ill.  If someone in the church is sick, the elders should lay hands on that person and pray for them.  That is what Jesus did.  “The people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them” (Luke 4:40) The apostles similar things.  “People brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by evil spirits, and all of them were healed.” (Acts 5:15-16)  Today the principle remains the same.  What should the elders do?  Pray for those who are ill.

What else should the elders do?

As well as praying the elders should anoint the sick person with oil.  This is what shepherds did to bring healing to the sheep.  “You anoint my head with oil.” (Psalm 23:5)  Jesus sent the twelve apostles out in twos to preach in every village, to drive out demons and to heal the sick.  “They went out and preached that people should repent. They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” (Mark 6:12-13)  The oil symbolises the anointing and power of the Holy Spirit.  When it was used by the apostles the people were healed.  When it is used by the elders the sick person will be raised up.  What else should the elders do?  Anoint the ill person with oil in the name of the Lord.

We should have confidence in Jesus as our healer.  If we want to receive healing we should do what James teaches us to do.

Seasons

One of the advantages of living in Britain is that we get to enjoy four distinct seasons.  This is not the case for many people who live elsewhere.  The season we are living in determines how we live our life.  We dress according to the season and live quite differently in each of the seasons.  The good thing about each season is that they come and go.  Winter does not last forever.  So it is with many other things in life.  Our life is seasonal.  Each season is distinct and we live differently, depending what season we are in.  Confusion occurs when the season of our life changes and we refuse to adjust to it.

A number of seasons are mentioned in these verses.

Season of trouble

Difficulties and trials are part of life.  Job complained that man is born to trouble in the same way that sparks fly upwards.  It is a season that we pass through.  It may not be enjoyable and we may not understand why it is necessary.  But seasons of trouble can actually turn out for good in our lives if we will allow suffering to produce perseverance, character and hope in us.  As Joseph confessed at the end of his season of trouble, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)  Or as the apostle Paul put it, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)  The positive thing about trouble is that it is only seasonal.  Like winter colds, troubles are gone once the season changes.

Season of happiness

There is a time for laughter and happiness.  Some seasons of life are so enjoyable that even the grumpiest person has to admit that life can be fun sometimes.  Maybe in our culture we are not ever so good at celebrating.  But we need to learn how to enjoy the good times.  Jesus was anointed with the oil of joy way beyond his contemporaries (Hebrews 1:9), and His followers can enjoy the same level of gladness.  Since exhilarating happiness is seasonal, we must learn to make the most of it while we are in it.  Don’t miss out on the best things in life while they are available to us in a season of happiness.

Appropriate reactions

Here James teaches believers to respond to each season in an appropriate manner.  Are we in a season of trouble?  The appropriate response is to pray.  Are we in a season of happiness?  It is appropriate to sing songs of praise and celebration.  Perhaps we are not good at responding to the seasons of life in the appropriate way.  I have witnessed people dancing at funerals and arguing at weddings.  Such behaviour is wholly inappropriate.  How we treat people and help them should also take account of the season they are in.  If someone is having a good day, don’t rain on their parade.  If someone is suffering, don’t minimize what they are enduring by patronising them.  Recognise the season and react appropriately.

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1)

Swearing

Taking oaths is a common practice in most cultures.  In Britain, evidence in a court of law is preceded by swearing on the Bible.  The promise is given to tell the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.  The consequences for breaking that oath and not testifying accurately are dire, “so help me, God.”  Other situations, such as business transactions, require the signing of contracts or something equivalent.  Even in daily life promises are sometimes confirmed with the making of an oath, such as, “cross my heart and hope to die,” or something equally ridiculous.

The Bible has something to say about accompanying promises with an oath.

What does the Bible say about swearing?

In this verse James makes it clear.  “Do not swear.”  In fact, he makes a big thing of it.  “Above all else, do not swear.”  In other words, not making an oath is a priority.  It is to be avoided above everything else that has been talked about in his letter.  It often comes as a surprise to practicing Christians to learn that taking an oath is wrong.  It contradicts the lifestyle expected of believer.

Why is swearing wrong?

The reason for making oaths is to ensure that what the person has promised actually comes to pass.  The whole weight of the law is given to insisting that an individual who has made a promise cannot go back on it or wriggle out of the responsibility of keeping it.  Contract law is a billion dollar industry and some lawyers have made a career out of finding loopholes in contracts.  An oath is supposed to put fear in a person’s heart so that they speak out the truth, even if it is uncomfortable.  The truth has to be told because that person has sworn on the Bible, or his life, or God.  But the Scripture teaches that what we say is a reflection of our character.  “Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks.”  So swearing oaths is unnecessary for Christians.  Our standard of integrity is so high that our words can be trusted.  The word of a Christian is his bond.  Our speech is an extension of our character.  Therefore, if we have to back up what we have promised with an oath, we are saying that our Christian character is not honest enough to be trusted at face value.

What should we do instead?

We are taught that our words should be enough.  If we have said it we must stick to it.  If a Christian says “yes,” to something, that is more trustworthy than any legally binding oath.  Similarly, if a believer says “no,” to something, that is equally solid.  Our words are that important.  If we agree to something and do not honour it, we are a bad witness for Christ.  We are testifying that faith in Christ makes no difference to our lives and that, like us, the God we serve cannot be trusted.  This applies to everything in our lives, whether it is a serious business agreement or a small promise to attend an event.  If we have promised to be somewhere, we must be there.  If we have agreed to do something, we must do it.  If we are asked to testify about something, we must be accurate in recounting the event.  Life is a lot less complicated when the people we live, work and deal with can be taken at their word.

If we are a follower of Christ our word is our bond.

Job

One of the examples cited here is that of Job.  What a terrible trial he went through as he lost everything that mattered to him.  Job learned that things are not what really matter in life.  Marriage, family, health and peace are the true treasures of life.  When Job lost these things he really did suffer.  Yet there are some valuable lessons that we can all learn from the experiences that Job went through.  God did not abandon him.  By the end of his life Job was better off than he could ever have dreamed.

Here are some lessons that Job teaches us.

Job teaches us about life

Just when you think you have got life sorted out, something happens to confuse us.  Having learned all the Scripture verses that tell us how life is supposed to progress, we find that something awful happens to throw us into confusion.  Trials come that make no sense.  Tragedies knock our confidence and make us wonder what it is really all about.  What Job teaches us is that life is uncertain and God is sovereign.  Sadly, many people think it is the other way around.  God is uncertain and life is sovereign.  It is not so.  The only thing that is certain about life is that God is in charge.

Job teaches us about humanity

Just when you think you have got human nature sorted out, something happens to confuse us.  We think that we are something we are not.  We confidently assume we are good, righteous people, full of integrity and in charge of our lives.  Then circumstances floor us and test our character to the limit.  We find that we are not everything we thought we were.  We are sinners with a string of terrible faults.  Yet God still loves us and is working out His purposes in our lives for His glory and our well being.  We learn more about ourselves and the rest of humanity in the difficult trials that take place in the valley than we ever do during the seasons of blessing on the mountain top.

Job teaches us about God

Just when you think you have got God sorted out, something happens to confuse us.  Having read the Bible, we think that we know everything there is to know about God.  Our theology is complete, our doctrine is straight and God is right where we can see and understand Him.  But God is a mystery.  How can finite man ever hope to fully grasp Him?  All we know about God is what He has chosen to reveal to us about Himself.  The rest is beyond our understanding or comprehension.  Despite what the preachers tell us, we only know in part.  There is much about God that we will never know or understand until we see Him face to face in eternity.  As for now, we know for certain that He is absolutely righteous, loving toward all He has made and wholly faithful to us His children.  Job teaches us that we may not be able to understand God, but we can certainly trust Him.

The experiences of Job teach us some valuable lessons that will help us to become mature.

Examples

The Bible is full of stories about real men and women who experienced every kind of situation and emotion that is common to all people in any age or culture.  There are highs and lows, blessings and curses, sins and acts of obedience and all kinds of reactions to the events of life.  The apostle Paul explains that the stories of the Old Testament are there to provide examples for Christians in the gospel age.  Whatever we may be going through, there is something in the Bible that will be of practical help to us.

The prophets of the Old Testament provide an example in the following areas.

Examples of suffering

Everybody undergoes trials and testing at some time in their life.  It is God’s way of developing perseverance, character and hope.  No one enjoys suffering.  But when God is in the centre of our lives all suffering is redemptive and brings about greater good for us.  There are many examples in the Scripture of godly people who endured suffering and proved the goodness and faithfulness of God through it all.  Even Jesus Himself endured the most terrible of sufferings when He died on the cross.  Such examples are there to provide us with hope in the difficult times.  If they made it through, so will we.  If God was faithful to them, He will be faithful to us.  If God turned it all around for good in their lives, He will do the same for us.  Then we in turn can become helpful examples to others.  As we receive compassion from God in the middle of our trials, we can show compassion to others who are passing through similar difficulties.

Examples of patience

Faith in God requires patience.  Suffering and perseverance generate patience in our lives.  In this life patience is a requirement for fruitful living.  Anything worth having takes time to grow, develop and be nurtured.  God allows, and even orchestrates testing times to develop the vital characteristic of patience.  This tests our confidence in the character and faithfulness of God and His promises.  Whatever God has said over our lives will come to pass.  Patience tests whether we truly believe Him or not.  Many of the Old Testament characters had to endure long periods of waiting in which God developed patience in them.  Yet God never failed.  Nor will He fail us today. 

Examples of faith

Despite the suffering and patient endurance that many Old Testament people displayed, they still lived in faith and were useful prophets for God.  They were not perfect before God used them.  Many of them had their most fruitful ministry in the middle of agonising pain.  Jeremiah is one such example.  Too many believers are waiting for everything to come good in their lives before they step out and do something for God.  Sadly, many have waited too long and passed on into eternity without having released their potential in the service of God and His kingdom.  If you are waiting for the ideal opportunity you will be waiting a long time.  Today is the day.  Whatever you are going through put your faith into action and see what God will do through you.

The Bible is full of examples that are of real practical help to us.

Grumbling

The second coming is not just a topic to do with the dim and distant future.  Nor is it an issue that should only interest those with a particular interest in the minute details of doctrine.  The reality of Christ’s promise to return again to this earth has some very practical consequences.  The way we live now will have a direct impact on what happens to us when Jesus does return.  If we have not believed and repented in this life, we will be rejected for all eternity.  If we have turned to Christ, but are not living as we should be, we will be judged at the judgment seat of Christ.

Grumbling is one serious issue that needs to be addressed before Jesus comes again.

Don’t grumble

Moaning, whinging and grumbling are natural characteristics for the average person.  But they don’t impress God.  Rather, God hates grumbling and has outlawed it.  Sorry, but if you are a follower of Christ you are not allowed to grumble.  “Oh dear,” I hear you say.  There is no wiggle room here.  Grumbling is a sin.  Whatever the subject and cause of grumbling, the grumbling itself is off limits for the Christian.  However justified you may feel about your particular grievance, you are not permitted to grumble about it.  “Well, that is just unreasonable,” you may say.  Tough.  You are a Christian.  Live like one.  And if you really can’t live without grumbling, then don’t tell anyone you are a Christian.  It will only confuse them.

You will be judged

If you don’t think that grumbling is such a serious matter, give some thought to Moses and people of Israel.  The people grumbled their way around the wilderness and all perished in the sand.  Not one of the original Israelites who left Egypt actually entered the land of promise, except for Caleb and Joshua.  When we stand before the judgment seat of Christ one of the matters that will be raised will be our grumbling.  Jesus will ask us about it and require an account from us. When we are in the middle of our grumbling it never occurs to us that we are digging a massive hole for ourselves.  Each word that comes from our lips is offending God and heaping up trouble for us on judgment day.

The Judge is standing at the door

Christians are generally enthusiastic about the second coming of Christ, and rightly so.  But there is a frightening aspect to the second coming, if we are grumblers.  Like the owner of the house who has walked up the path to his front door and has his hand on the door handle while the burglars are still inside, so Christ is nearly here.  He is right at the door.  Are we ready to greet Him?  Or will we be embarrassed to see Him?

Christ’s coming is very near.  Sort out the grumbling and get rid of it.