[Linux4christians] ‭James 5 (Saturday)

[Pastor David]

*‭James 5 (Saturday)*

*‭Commentary*

James issues a prophesy to the "rich" whom he chastises for 
hoarding in (or for) the last days.  He tells them that all 
that they have hoarded is ill-gotten and worthless.

He notes that their ill-gotten gains came from withholding 
what was due their workers and that God has heard their 
cries.  They have also mistreated the righteous person - 
thus bringing God's condemnation upon themselves.

[Note:  Nowhere in the Bible does God condemn success or 
wealth, He only condemns the unjust treatment of workers, 
the neglect of the welfare of brothers and sisters in Christ 
when resources would allow one to assist them, and the 
obsession with wealth that brings arrogance, pride, and 
selfishness - drawing one away from God and into the values 
of the world.]

James encourages the believers to "... be patient and 
strengthen your hearts", to avoid grumbling "... against one 
another" as God is watching.  He encouraged them to look to 
the prophets for examples of how one might endure with 
righteousness.

He reminds them of the prohibition against "swearing" on 
someone or something in order to assert their integrity and 
to instead be known as people whose "Yes be yes and their No 
be no." as a consistent testimony to their integrity.

James then presents a series of instructions for a solid 
prayer life:

"Is anyone among you suffering?  He should pray."

[Note:  The responsibility for prayer is on the one 
suffering.  Others pray in agreement, in in place of the
one with the need.]

"Is anyone in good spirits?  He should sing praises."

[Note:  If we pray when we have needs we should celebrate 
when God blesses us.]

"Is anyone among you ill?  He should summon the elders of 
the church, and they should pray for him and anoint him with 
oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith of the 
one who is sick will raise him up - and even if he has 
committed sins, he will be forgiven."

[Note:  James emphasizes "... the prayer of faith", 
returning to the admonition that we not be double-
minded.  Also, note James calls for the spiritual leaders of 
the fellowship to pray in agreement.]

"So confess your sins to one another and pray for one 
another so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a 
righteous person has great effectiveness."

[Note:  James is reinforcing the teaching that we need to be 
accountable to one-another, when we come-clean within the 
fellowship we keep things transparent and healthy - part of 
the healing is a result of God's direct intervention and 
part is through the relationships that are strengthened and 
the shared-concerns from the prayer.  He is also noting the 
power of being righteous, in contrast to a double-minded 
person, when one comes before God with prayer.  This is not 
about certain people in a fellowship being "righteous" and
therefore having "magical" prayer-power.]

James uses Elijah as an example, noting that he was as human 
as anyone, but that his righteous prayer led to God stopping 
and then restarting the rains.

He concludes with a directive that we care for one another 
by "... turning back" a brother or sister who has drifted 
away "... from the truth".

[Note:  We are our "brother's keeper".  We are to watch over 
others and allow, even encourage, them to watch over us.  We 
no more want to be deceived into drifting away from the 
truth than we want to see them do so.  When we are 
transparent and mutually-accountable we are stronger.]

*Interaction*

*Consider* James' exhortation that our "yes be yes and our 
no be no" so that our integrity is etched into all that we 
think, say, and do - leading others to trust us and to want 
to know about the One Who empowers our integrity.

*Discuss* James' teaching ‭"... be patient and strengthen 
your hearts", avoid grumbling "... against one another" as 
God is watching, and his encouragement for them to look to 
the prophets for examples of how one might endure with 
righteousness.  Have you experienced or observed this in 
practice?

*Reflect* upon ‭God's condemnation of the unjust treatment 
of workers, the neglect of the welfare of brothers and 
sisters in Christ when resources would allow one to assist 
them, and the obsession with wealth that brings arrogance, 
pride, and selfishness - drawing one away from God and into 
the values of the world.

*Share* an example of the practical implementation of 
‭James' series of instructions for a solid prayer life.  How 
did God answer such prayers?

*Truth in Action*
	
Today I am ‭committing to compare and contrast my prayer 
life with James' instructions.  Where I fall short I agree 
to partner with the Holy Spirit, and at least one fellow 
believer, to intentionally transform my prayer life.

*Be Specific*  _____________________________________


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Sunday's text will be: ‭1 Peter 1:1 - 2:3
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Have an http://Ultrafidian.com Day!  Pastor David
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Senior Pastor (Interim) Bethel Missionary Baptist
http://bethelstatesboro.org (new site pending)
Bible Commentary & Daily Reflection-Action-Devotional
http://bibleseven.com/b7/b7studies.html
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