James Series

JAMES

PART 5 OF A 5 PART SERIES

JAMES 5:13-18

KEY VERSE: JAMES 5: 16

FOCAL POINT: CONFESSION, THE CURE FOR SIN

INTRODUCTION: THE AUTHOR IDENTIFIES HIMSELF AS JAMES, LIKELY A HALF BROTHER OF JESUS AND LEADER WITHIN THE JERUSALEM CHURCH. JAMES DID NOT IDENTIFY IMMEDIATELY WITH THE MINISTRY OF CHRIST. HE CONVERTED TO THE FAITH LATER. JAMES PENNED THIS LETTER AROUND A. D. 48. THE LETTER CONTAINS A “JEWISH” FLAVOR. THE LETTER EXPRESSES TRUE RELIGION, TRUTH FAITH AND TRUE WISDOM.

JAMES 5:16

WORD MEANING OF HEALED: TO CURE OR HEAL, TO MAKE WHOLE, TO FREE FROM ERROR AND SIN, TO BRING ABOUT SALVATION

THE APPLICATION OF THESE SCRIPTURES IS USUALLY TO PHYSICAL ILLNESS. HOWEVER, A CAREFUL EXAMINATION OF THE WORD “HEALED “IN JAMES 5:16 ENCOMPASSES MORE THAN JUST PHYSICAL HEALING. THE REALITY OF HEALING FROM SIN AND EVEN THE POSSIBILITY OF TOTAL SALVATION BECOMES APPARENT.

IF YOU HAVE SINNED AGAINST A BROTHER, ASK FORGIVENESS OF THAT SIN PERSONALLY. IF THE SIN IS AGAINST THE CHURCH, ASK FORGIVENESS OF THE ENTIRE CHURCH COMMUNITY. ULTIMATELY, All SIN AFFECTS THE CHURCH. WE NEVER SIN ALONE! THAT IS WHY CONFESSION IS SO NECESSARY WHETHER PERSONALLY, OR CORPORATELY.

IF YOU NEED LOVING SUPPORT WITH YOUR SIN STRUGGLE, YOU MUST CONFESS THAT SIN TO GET HELP. FREQUENTLY, BELIEVERS ASK GOD FOR FORGIVENESS OF THEIR SINS AND LATER WONDER IF GOD HAS FORGIVEN. CONFESS THAT DOUBT TO A FELLOW BELIEVERS WITH THE REALITY AND ASSURANCE GOD HAS FORGIVEN YOU. ASK THEM TO PRAY FOR YOU TO REMOVE ALL THE DOUBT!

USE DISCRETION IN ASKING FELLOW BELIEVER TO PRAY FOR YOU. “LOOSE LIPS AND SINK THE SHIP”.

APPLICATION: YOUR GREATEST RESOURCE AS A BELIEVER IS A POWERFUL, PRAYER LIFE.

REF: DR. CONSTABLE’S NOTES ON JAMES, NKJV STUDY BIBLE BY RADMACHER, ALLEN & HOUSE, LIFE APPLICATION STUDY BIBLE, MACARTHUR STUDY BIBLE, TSB BY WARREN WIERSBE