James 5 - 8/30/09

Earlier James had warned believers against omitting God from their plans and against failing to do the good they knew to perform. In chp. 5 he addresses wicked people and how they abuse with their wealth. God knows their evil ways and will judge them. Unbelieving rich people oppressed God's people.

Clothing and precious metals were two measure of wealth in James' day. Moths would eat holes in their hoarded clothes...all wealth would corrode.

James outlined 3 charges against the unbelieving rich. 1. They hired workers to reap their fields and withheld their pay. Failure to pay the poor was cruel and faudulent. The workers were totally dependent upon the pay at the end of the day for their families' survival. They disregarded human life - thus, the mention of murder. God heard the distress of the poor, helpless and oppressed.

The Lord has much to say about the abusing of the poor. The rich indulged themselves - just as animals who feed securely not realizing that their slaughter is close at hand. James also mentions that the poor did not have their "day in court" as the rich who had the wealth to "take others to court". The poor had no power because of their poverty.

Today we are all wealthy as compared to the poor, the needy, the starving across the world. What are we doing about the poor?

Because the LORD will have the ultimate justice, James is encouraging those who are treated unjustly to be patiet -- long suffering! The believers were and are to follow the farmer's example of perseverance as he plants, tends and waits for the harvest. Keeping in the forefront of thoughts the return of Christ will strengthen our hearts.

Job was a great example of PATIENCE! He struggled and questioned and sometimes even defied, but the name of faith was never extinguished in his heart. We must remain steadfast in our turst in God. Because we have the support of so great a God, we can bear anything which the world brings upon us.

(We did not cover in class, but) James spoke out against taking oaths. Jesus considered that it should not be necessary for his people to swear. The Christian's word should be binding. A Christian should have the reputation of always speaking the truth. Believers and unbelievers should always be able to count on exactly what a Christian says!!!! (Indirectly this teaching is speaking to cursing--taking the Lord's name lightly in any way...curb this unhealthy habit if it is found in your tongue!!!!)

PRAY: 1:5 for wisdom!
PRAY when someone is suffering. When suffering comes (whatever form or setting), don't sit back and complain OR seek to remedy the situation by your own strength and ingenuity. Recognize the power and mercy of God and submit into His hands.
PRAY when you are cheerful. Every good gift is from Him. Praise Him! Pride can make you believe that you are responsible for the good that comes your way. You can sing outloud or sing in your heart.
PRAY in times of sickness! CALL THE ELDERS! It is the responsibility of the the sick person to call! It is our responsibility to be Intercessory prayors! Those who pray must believe that God is able to heal sickness.

Three reasons for sickness: 1. Sickness unto death 2. Sickness unto chastisement 3. Sickness unto God's glory In other words, it may be your time to "go home", you may have sick in your life that needs correction, or He will heal you for His glory!

Those who pray in faith are heard...the prayors must have faith! The person is healed of the physical affliction, but also his sins are forgiven. NOT all are healed...if that were so, we should all go into the healing service. But we are to intercede for those who are suffering and sick. The LORD only does the healing no matter how it appears to come. Doctors and medicine are never condemned, but take note "never be dependent upon the doctors!" - only on Jesus, the Great Physician.

Confessing one to another does not mean giving details of sinful behavior. Confess your weakness...the root cause. Confession to others can bring the healing fo human relations, but each of us must confess to God to receive His forgiveness and maintain unbroken fellowship with God. The outcomes of confession to one another should be prayer for one another. The one who sins needs to feel the value of confession; the one who hears the confession must do so with a Christian attitude and response.

There is great power in prayer. Elijah is such an outstanding example of the power in addressing our ALMIGHTY GOD! with our appeals. If the prayer of a man can be so effecxtive in controlling the weather, certainly God's people should not be hesitant in prayer xconcerning the things which are of significance in their lives.

RESTORATION OF THE STRAYING.

James was not concerned about theologican discussions. He was concerned with the PRACTICAL OUTWORKING OF FAITH.