James 5
November 8, 2010
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Bible Passage: James 5
Our bible reading theme this year surrounds one very important question that all of us should self-check our understanding on – What does Christianity mean to you? In another words, what does your faith / belief mean to you?
These recent 2 weeks, we have had encouraging and thought provoking sharing on the relevance of God’s enduring and magnificent love for human mankind to our daily life as a Christian.
Through the reading of the epistle of Elder James the past few days, we dwell on salient details how in many different ways, our love towards men and God should be manifested in our true Christian life.
We have shared, amongst many others:
- Manifestation of true faith through trials, tribulations and good work;
- Manifestation of true wisdom and knowledge in our life through bearing of fruits of the Holy Spirit;
- Manifestation of true belief through proper guarding of own tongue, genuine deeds at times of needs of others and pure thoughts.
We read about true perseverance and certain aspects of a truly effective prayer in this concluding chapter.
To Persevere!
“…. to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness….” (II Pet 1:6)
Peter defines perseverance as a continuation to exercising self-control. To exert the god-pleasing level of self-control in our daily life may not already be easy at times, but we are exhorted to go further step – to persevere!
At this very moment, there are many believers out there who are faced with persecution or certain life crises (such as being terminally ill). Or rather, you may have gone through similar journey yourself. What sort of strength that carried a person, who had everything to lose, through such trials and tribulations?
No doubt it was by God’s love and mercy, but, without hope and the true faith in them, it would be rather difficult to persevere and hold fast to the promise of God (II The 1:4).
Perseverance is nothing like an occasional good deed; nor something that we feel like “doing” when we get out of bed to a fine day. It is a lifelong commitment that we resolute to undertake at the moment we decide to take up the cross and follow Him. Elder James likened the process to “the farmer who waits for the harvest and the shower of rain” (v7).
In times of need, I hope the good seeds sown in our noble and good hearts will bear the fruit of patience and perseverance (Lk 8:15). This heart of perseverance will guide us to live the will of God so to receive the promised crown (Heb 10:35-36).
To Pray!
Elder James emphasized the importance of prayer in the latter part of this chapter. He encouraged the believers to lead a prayerful life, regardless of the situation that they may be in. We may be living a seemingly smooth-sailing life or at the extreme opposite, but such situational circumstance should not be the determinant factor to our relationship with Jesus.
When we have a piece of uplifting news, we always wanted to share with our loved ones. Similarly, at times of distress, we always wished there is somebody out there who truly could understand how we feel. Jesus is our dearest, most trustworthy and understanding friend. Rain or shine, He is always there for us, so long you reach out to Him.
To Love!
Elder James wanted the believers to go one step further – to offer intercessory prayers for others who are in need. This includes praying for our brethren who have strayed away from the household of faith.
I’m sure some of us know that “certain someone” who has not attended services with us, especially for those of us who grew up in church together with that “certain someone”. Exactly because almost all of us are genuinely too occupied and at the same time was thinking somebody closer to this “certain someone” ought to be doing something about it, this “certain someone” may still be wandering around on his/her own, outside the flock.
Elder James, Paul and even the Lord Jesus exhorted that the work of saving the souls of strayed sheep is the shared responsibility of us all (v19; Gal 6:1; Matt 10:6). As God’s will is for all mankind to repent and be saved (II Pet 3:9), we ought to work harder to bring back the lost sheep whom we know. The best starting point is to start praying for that “certain someone” before putting your love into actions. Care for the lost sheep with love and gentleness (Gal 6:1).
Lastly, I would like to share with you some of my favourite verses (both bears similar significance):
“…. there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine jut persons who need no repentance.” (Lk 15:7)
“…. there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Lk 15:10)
May the Lord continue to keep you in His love and may you continue to keep pure in His love. Have a blessed week ahead.
LittleDust did a marvellous job in refocusing us on the theme of our bible reading this year. Indeed, in reading about the ‘Actions of Love’ in James, it serves as a strong reminder of how far short I have been in my Christian duty and love.
Recently, my wife just dug up all the old photographs that somehow did not manage to make their way into any photo albums. My youngest, being very free and idle after her exams, was tasked to arrange the photos into the albums. And we all had a fun time recalling the various episodes that accompanied the pictures.
Some of the photos were of church activities when my wife and I were both much younger
The posed photos (cannot believe how big I looked last time), the funny hairdos, the fashionable (questionable actually) big round spectacles, the ackward postures… haha… they sure bring back lovely memories of another time.
But in looking at some of these group photos, we could literally see that of everyone in the picture, only a couple of us are still around or active in church. Some no longer come. Some have drifted away… just a faded memory.
My family just read James 5 together and when we came to verse 19-20, I could not help but think of all these long lost brethren and how, somehow, I have forgotten about them until I saw the photos again.
Where is the love that I should be showing to bring them back? Did I even made an attempt to turn him or her from the error of their ways? Have I even tried?
My wife reminded me that those who wander from the truth should not refer to only those who have left the church but also those who are still in the church but may have a wrong understanding of the truth. This is so true as well.
As we draw close to the end of another year and another Spiritual Meeting, let us consider our fellow brethren in church. Are there any whom you know who have not been coming for some time? Are there any who have some misunderstandings in the church and also unhappiness about some teachings?
Pray for them and bring them back to the church. The prayer offered in faith will make the sick well (verse 15) and in turning them back, we have saved the brethren from death and cover over a multitude of sins (verse 20). How great an action of love is that?
James 5:11 Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord – that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.
What’s the end intended for Job by the Lord?
i guess it is what that was brought to pass ie Job came to the realization that:
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You.
Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:5-6)
Job was named as the example of perseverance by James. Job 42:9 recorded that “…for the LORD had accepted Job.”
Today, God have accepted us through baptism too.
James 5:15-16 And prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man avails much.
The above may describe Job and his three friends in Job 42:8-10.
James 4:17 Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.
Who is “Job”, “Eliphaz”, “Bildad” or “Zophar” in church? Only God knows.
James 5:9 reminds brethren not to grumble against one another.
The end intended by God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Bec He is very compassionate and merciful.
Saving a soul from from death is worth all our heart and effort (James 5:20).