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Posted: 8/22/03

LifeWay Explore the Bible Series for Aug. 31

Living well & thriving in a fellowship of believers

James 5:7-20

By Jim Perkins

Madison Hills Baptist Church, San Antonio

Surely most of us would agree that our challenge is to live well and thrive in the fellowship of believers. To accomplish that possibility, we need guidance valid through the ages, such as James offers in the last chapter of his letter.

Be patient

The final section of James' letter (5:7-20) probably functioned as one last opportunity for the author to encourage and instruct his readers concerning appropriate ethical attitudes and actions within the community of believers. Also, remember that this section follows the condemnation of the wicked “rich people” of 5:1-6, who perhaps were the chief oppressors or persecutors of the Christians to whom James wrote.

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James instructed the Christian community to "be patient" in the midst of the oppression as they awaited "the Lord's coming" (5:8). The author explained the logic for waiting patiently by employing an appropriate agricultural metaphor–the wise farmer waiting for the arrival of the harvest. In so doing, the farmer realizes two truths: He can do nothing to speed the development of the crop, and he must await patiently the timely arrival of the seasonal rains—something he cannot produce but desperately needs to water his crop.

The Old Testament provided James an opportune “example of patience in the face of suffering” as he reminded his readers of the lives of the prophets and specifically the “perseverance” of Job (5:10-11). James noted that his readers had access to the complete course of Job's life, and should be encouraged as they remember that our loving and compassionate God was faithful to deliver Job (refer also to Christ's words in Matthew 5:12).

One additional aspect of community life concerned James to such an extent that he encouraged these Christians in verse 9 to grow in patience and acceptance of one another (5:9). He recognized the stresses of persecution probably caused an atmosphere of “grumbling” against one another to develop and disrupt the harmony in the community of believers. Grumbling naturally includes an inappropriate judgmental attitude, so James warned these Christians that the true Judge (Christ) could return at any moment, in which case they would be liable to be judged “in the same way you judge others” (Matthew 7:2; see also Romans 14:4).

Pray often

James also was convinced that the harmony and spiritual vitality of the community of believers would be enhanced by their ongoing reliance on and participation in prayer. Specifically, the author instructed them to pray during times of trouble (look back to 1:2), illness, sin problems and to sing (prayer/praise) songs in times of great happiness (5:13-16).

Not only were these Christians to pray for themselves, but verse 14 seems to speak to a situation in which the individual was too ill to attend a gathering of the group of believers. In that case, the “elders” of the church (probably the pastors or ministers) were to come as a group to pray over the sick individual and anoint him with oil.

The anointing with oil could have been for medicinal purposes, but more likely here it was a symbolic representation of the great concern and healing power of our mighty God. Remember also that it was the “prayer offered in faith” (5:15) and not the anointing that was effectual in leading to healing, for “the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective” (5:16).

These Christians were encouraged to “confess your sins to each other” for the express purpose that they may “pray for each other so that you may be healed” (5:16). The motivation for so doing is very clear, and the church's response to the confession is also clearly indicated–we do not talk down about one another, but we do talk up to God about their needs. We must be very certain and convicted about that.

As if for emphasis, James offered one last illustration to give evidence of the power of prayer: Elijah the prophet prayed, and not only were the heavens shut up so that it could not rain, but in response to his fervent prayer for the return of rain, the heavens opened and allowed the earth to produce an abundant crop (5:17-18).

Help the straying

In the last two verses of his letter (5:19-20), James applied the final strokes of the paintbrush to his portrait of a church in which the members displayed a commendable mutual concern for one another. According to James, this mutual concern would overflow naturally into the arena of every Christian's battle with sin.

The author's advice was very specific: If a fellow Christian strayed from the truth, his brothers or sisters in the community of faith were responsible to walk beside him and encourage him along the path to spiritual renewal. With this interpretation of the passage it is given that to “save him from death” refers to the physical death of his body (compare 1 Corinthians 11:30). At the same time, the possibility that a proper response might “cover over a multitude of sins” could hearken back to the promise of leading a lost person to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior.

Question for discussion

bluebull What actions and attitudes are included in biblical “patience?”

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