Day By Day - James 5

By David Passmore

Personal Thoughts:
This is the final chapter of this manual. Throughout the Book of  James, he has taught us to grow in Godliness, grow in our love for Him, grow in holiness and how to walk in faith. His instructions have been practical and straight down the line and easy to follow.

Three Main Ideas:
Point 1:
In my Bible, 1 Timothy 6:17-19 is headed “Instruction to the Rich”, which if it were needed reinforces James’ teaching in verses 1-5. It really lays it on the line. No, Jesus has nothing against us being rich, BUT it can be a trap and can lead us into sin or even away from Him.

James' teaching in verse 4 is timely, considering the number of companies who have underpaid their workers. In the 1980s a Christian organisation I was working for refused to pay us one pay day. At lunch time, I looked up some scriptures: Lev. 19:13 and Deut. 24:15. After lunch, I walked straight into the Superintendent's office and told him of the scriptures. We were paid on time. As Christians, we can set the standard for society by ensuring that we pay on time for work done and the same for our bills.

Point 2:
I was once told that before I asked the Lord to teach me patience, read Job.  From that I quickly learnt that to follow the Lord I needed to keep my eyes planted firmly on Him and not on the world. At times, I look at the justice systems practiced in the world and see that even amongst those who do not follow Him they wonder about what is justice. Our Lord’s trial by the hierarchy of the the Jewish religion was completely illegal on many counts and, of course, they did not take into account the lies that the false witnesses told.

Having gone to court many times with the lads that we worked with, we came to understand what James is talking about in verse 12. They would say whatever they thought was needed to be said in order to gain an acquittal regardless of the penalties for perjury. The Lord knew, of course, that this is the way mankind would go, hence His warning.

Point 3:
Next we come to the needs of the people for healing. Yes, when possible do as verse 14 says, but we are also told to pray for one another. Jesus told us in Mark 16:15-18 what to do, lay hands on the sick in His marvellous name and the sick will be healed.

Again, I refer to John 14:12-14. His promise here is virtually open ended, whatever the Apostles did we can also do. They had the same power through the Holy Spirit that we have. Jesus also healed by casting out demons, so put to practice what the Word teaches us and keep at it. Remember the unfair judge (Lu.18:2-8),  Jesus will not and cannot fail us.

In 1 Corinthians 14:1, we are told to “desire spiritual gifts” that is to “be zealous for, to burn with desire,  to desire eagerly or intensely” so we can pursue  ‘the gifts of healings,” follow the examples of the book of the Acts of the Apostles.

 James also refers to spiritual sickness, as in Jeremiah 3:22 (see Jeremiah 3:6-4:4 ). He promises that if we repent and return to Him then He will heal us of the physical, mental and emotional damage that we have brought upon ourselves.

James, in these verses, is not referring to a serious departure from the Lord that is doctrinal or moral, but praise His name no matter how or when we sin (except sinning against the Holy Spirit), if we truly repent, HE WILL FORGIVE AND WELCOME US BACK.

Conclusion:
James has referred many times to the teachings of Jesus, thereby pointing us back to the supreme Teacher.  His warning against neglect of our Christian duties comes at a good time, as this COVID virus continues, it reveals to us how important our Pastor is to us and we are to each other.
The Lord  has given us over 50 commands to be attentive to the Word and to be ethical in all our dealings with all those we come into contact with.