Becoming Whole

Click here for the audio message of – James 5:12-20

We conclude our look at the epistle of James this morning. Over the past couple of months we have learned from James about several aspects of the Christian’s life. We are to stay faithful during trials and temptations.

We are to live out our faith with selfless love. We are to watch what we say, control our words, control our tongues. We are to be patience. We are to be humble. And we are to trust God rather than trust in our own abilities or riches.

In verse 12, James tells us to make our yes, yes and our no, no. When you say you are going to do something, then do it. When you promise someone something, then follow through and uphold your promise, uphold your word.

This also means to say what you mean. Speak the truth in love and you won’t ever have to worry about what the other person thinks. This idea once again reinforces the idea of controlling the tongue and having patience.

Think before you speak. Proverbs 15:1, “A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 29:8, “Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.” Be wise, be loving, be patient.

James then starts to finish up his letter by writing about prayer. Whatever your situation is, pray. Pray if you are happy. Pray if you are sad. Pray for healing or pray for continued good health. Pray for suffering, confessions, each other, petitions, praise, supplications, and thanksgiving.

No doubt most of you have had experience with prayer. We’ve discussed prayer here many times. Some people still only pray when they need something. They view God as some type of genie in a bottle or something. He’s there when you need something, but other than that you leave me alone.

I think to some extent we are all like that. Our prayer life kicks in to overdrive when we are in trouble, sick, or in need of help. But in those good times, maybe we don’t praise God enough for the wonderful things He does in our lives. What a great time to do it, now today. This week as we celebrate Thanksgiving, make sure to thank the One who makes it all possible.

Later on today or this week, read back over the scripture this morning and try to make at least one of these types of prayer more a part of your life. I know some people keep prayer journals and look back through them to see how God has answered their prayers.

Each week at our Bible study we close with prayer and prayer requests. I always write them down in my notebook and it is interesting to look back through them and see what has been done. Our prayers are not always answered the way we think they should, but God does answer them.

In verses 14-16, James discusses physical and spiritual healing. We are to tell other people about our physical needs, our spiritual needs and ask them to pray for us. We are to pray with passion and energy.

James tells us to call the elders and other church leaders together for anointing, prayer, and confession. If you remember we did that here for Joyce about a year ago or so. We gathered around her here at the alter and I anointed her with oil and we prayed for her healing.

Now, I didn’t do anything special. I don’t have any super powers and there was nothing special about the oil in this bottle up here. But God listened to us. He heard our prayers and He answered them in a way that we can rejoice in but He answered our prayers according to His will.

The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. These are the energetic, passionate prayers of godly people that activate the power of God to move in their lives or the lives of others.

James gives the example of Elijah from the Old Testament. This is probably once of the most notable illustrations of the power of prayer in the Old Testament. His prayers both initiated and ended a three and a half year drought. Now that is power. That is being in tune with God.

We are the same kind of person as Elijah was. He like all of the other Old Testament characters wasn’t a superhero or something. In fact, He was a man subject to similar passions as we are. But he was also a man who prayed with passion, and that is the kind of prayer we need today.

James closes his letter by telling us that we are responsible for each other. We are to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others. As they receive Christ into their lives, we are to help them grow and mature in the faith. This involves discipline and correcting them when they stray from the Word of God.

The closing words of James really express his primary objective of this letter. That is simply to confront those people that have a fake or dead faith. Rather than address these people and warn them directly, James tells the faithful believers to witness to those fellow believers that are not living in full obedience to God’s Word.

That is definitely something we need to continue to do today as well. Some believers have indeed strayed or wandered from the truth. This people are in danger and must be called back to a faithful life.

Maintaining open, sharing, praying relationships with other Christians will help keep us from getting stuck in a rut in our spiritual lives. These relationships help give us the strength that provides victory over our sin.

God has granted to all believers the ministry of reconciling wandering souls to Himself. When a so called believer’s life shows evidence that their faith is not real, it is our duty as a believer to witness and minister to them for genuine saving faith in God.
Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank you for our time studying the words of your servant James. We thank you for the many practical advice you gave us through him for our daily lives. Help us to truly implement them into our lives.

As we prepare to give our thanks this week, help us to remember to give thanks to you for all that you have done and for all that you will do for us. We thank you especially for sending your son into this world to save us from our sins.

We ask this in Jesus’ name.

AMEN