Week 20, Day 4: The Power of Prayer
Today’s Reading: Philemon 1:1-25; 1 Timothy 1:1-20
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
The book of James ends on a similar topic to what it started with: talking to God, or prayer. The last chapter of James emphasizes the power of prayer, and encourages us to use this valuable tool that God has blessed us with. James 5:13-18 certainly is not without controversy. I think that much of the controversy surrounding this passage is really without merit, though it does warrant some very thoughtful (and prayerful) study.
James encourages us to pray under various circumstances in this passage, and demonstrates the effectiveness or power of prayer through these circumstances. Is anyone suffering? Let him pray (James 5:13). Certainly “suffering” is a very broad term with many different applications. It has to do with undergoing hardships. So, if you are going through difficult times, whatever the conditions of that hardship, James encourages you to go to God in prayer. Obviously God can help under these circumstances, else James wouldn’t tell you to pray!
The controversial part for many people starts in verse 14. “Is anyone sick? Let him call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. “ This has been the subject of debate for a long time. Should we be doing this today? There have been many who have argued that this is applicable to spiritual sickness, and was only a symbolic custom of the day, and therefore we should not be doing it. Others argue that it was a part of the implementation of spiritual gifts, and was a part of miraculous healing. Most people have come to the conclusion that we don’t have to do these things today.
This is certainly not a thorough discussion of these verses, but I would like you to consider the possibility that this is a practice we can (and perhaps should) participate in today. First, this practice seems to entail the “curing” of both physical and spiritual sickness. Consider that in James 5:15, James speaks of raising up the one that is sick, AND if he hath committed sins they will be forgiven. Now, perhaps the sickness is only a spiritual weakness that does not involve sin. Certainly, one who is weak, or struggling with temptation (though not yet giving in to it) would classify in this category. This seems to be a possibility in verse 16, where confessing ones faults and praying for one another would lead to being “healed.” But, the possibility also exists that James is speaking in verse 15 about physical ailment. The language provides for that contrast to be present. So, the practice of “calling the elders” and letting them “pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” could have been conducted for one who was physically ill, or one who had some spiritual ailment. But, it is clear that the practice was done in the first century.
The question is, should it be brought forward to today? There is nothing in this passage that indicates that the practice was cultural in nature. James’ letter is one of the more “generic” letters in the New Testament in that it is not addressed to any one location. So, to conclude that this is “cultural practice” and nothing more is reading something into the passage. There is also nothing in the passage that indicates that this practice was tied to the implementation of spiritual gifts. In fact, as James gives the example of Elijah, he states that Elijah had a “nature like ours.” Elijah was given the ability to work miracles, but the example used by James is one in which Elijah asked God to do something, not an example where God worked a miracle through the hand of Elijah. The point seems to be that James wanted us to see Elijah as being a man just as we are, and he could pray and elicit powerful reaction and help from God. The same is true for us!
So, without some indication as to why this practice would be reserved solely for the first century, it must be assumed that the practice is a valid one today. Should we call for elders to pray over us if we have either a physical or spiritual ailment? Surely these men would be the best to petition God on our behalf! Certainly the practice of praying for one another is not in question. But, what about the practice of anointing with oil? There is no indication that this practice was to go by the wayside. Besides, what harm would be done by following the practice instituted by an inspired writer? Even if it was not a necessary practice, the condemnation of it as “unbiblical” is unfair to the text.
This seems to be a passage that many people spend more time finding a reason not to practice, than it would take to put into practice!
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Week 20, Day 3: Show Me Your Faith
Today’s Reading: James 4:1-5:20
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
James chapter 2 is one of the most troubling chapters in the Bible for many people in the religious world. The predominant belief is that men are saved by “faith only” and that works is practically a taboo. But, James is clear that the two must exist together, and his argument (inspired to be sure) is very logical. What good is it for a person to have faith, if they have not works to show it? The point is illustrated in James 2:15-16 by James saying that we may know of a person who needs clothing or food, but if we don’t do something to provide those things for them, then we have not helped them at all. If all we do is say, “Depart, be warmed and filled,” we have really not done anything for them.
The argument may rage about who has faith, and how much they might have. James points out that faith by itself in the spiritual realm is pretty useless as well–even the devils have faith! Faith by itself, that is without works, is dead (James 2:20). James then used the example of Abraham to illustrate that works were necessary to show faith. How could Abraham prove his faith if he had not acted to offer his son, just as God had commanded? James said that Abraham’s works his faith was made perfect.
James 2:24 is one of the most condemning verses to those who believe that men are saved by faith only. It states quite clearly that we are justified by works, and not by “faith only.” This is the only verse in the whole Bible that has the words “faith” and “only” together, and it is in the negative: “not by faith only.”
The writings of James in this passage have to be summarily dismissed to accept the doctrine of faith only. We are not willing to dismiss any teaching of an inspired writer, and so we will accept that works are a necessary part of faith, and without them we cannot be saved. It is another study to figure out what those works are, but we certainly should not dismiss them and leave them undone!
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Week 20, Day 2: Pray With Confidence!
Today’s Reading: James 2:1-3:18
Some thoughts from yesterday’s reading…
It seems that many Christians have lost their faith in prayer. They will still say their prayers. They will even lead some beautiful prayers in the assembly of God’s people. But, in their actions, they seem to have lost their confidence in prayer. Perhaps this is because so many have decided that God is not active today, and therefore cannot or will not answer their prayers.
James gives instructions to us that should remind us to have confidence in our prayers. He tells us if we lack something, to ask of God and He will provide. Notice, the example that James uses is that of wisdom. If any one lacks wisdom…(James 1:5). Of course, every one of us needs more wisdom, so we need to be asking of God! But then James gives a few criteria for us to consider.
First, James tells us that we need to ask God. Why should we have to ask, if God already knows what we need? Because He wants us to come to Him! He wants us to have to acknowledge that we need Him, and rely upon Him. If we never have to ask Him for anything, how long would it be before we were completely forgetting about Him?
Next, James tells us that we need to ask without doubting. The one who doubts is like one on the ocean, being tossed about by the wind (James 1:6). Do we really have faith that God can provide what we ask for? How often do we pray for the sick, but think in the back of our minds that they are not going to get better? Or how often do we go through the motions of praying for the sick or afflicted but never really consider what we are praying for? In other words, do we pray with “vain repetitions” (Matthew 6:7)? We need to pray with the confidence that God can provide whatever we ask, if we ask according to His will. James tells us that the man who asks God, but doubts is “double minded” and “unstable” and should not expect to receive anything at all from God (James 1:7-8).
When we go to God in prayer, we need to remember James’ words. God can provide the things that are within His will (1 John 5:14). We need not try to take advantage of God, and then accuse Him of not answering our prayers. We need to examine His word and figure out what is “according to His will” so that we can ask in faith, without doubting. This doesn’t mean that God’s answer will always be exactly what we want, but we should have confidence that God can provide what we ask of Him!
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