Lesson 79
James 5:16
When the
elders arrived they were to do two things:
#1 -
check to see that proper medical treatment had been utilized if there is
physical illness involved.
#2 - Pray with him in total
confidence that God's will would be carried out.
Part of the process of spiritual
restoration, the refocusing of this individuals life,
is the next command.
confess your sins to one
another evxomologe,w - to openly agree with - to cite - to name;
See the same process - procedure as
in Gal 6:1 = similar application to here.
Brethren,
(FM/RF) even if a man may be overtaken
by any trespass,
you who are spiritual
- defined in the contest as those
who are led by the Spirit, who are walking by the Spirit and as a result have
the discernment, the doctrinal moxy through a knowledge of doctrine necessary
to deal with the situation.
restore such a one
(sinning believer) - in James the sick one
-
restore -
used here of aiding this one in setting himself straight spiritually
Then Paul follows with a
WARNING: each one being sharply attentive to yourself (to your mental
attitude - motivation) lest you also may be tempted.
A second application, a second part
of the process of restoration is related to dealing with those who may have
been injured by your sins.
There is always a price to pay for
hiding one's sins - Ps 32;
Prov 28:13.
Guidelines for
confession:
1.
Recognize the need for confession.
[must be a desire to be restored to fellowship]
2.
First all sin must be confessed to God for forgiveness. 1 Jn 1:9
3. This passage also indicates the need to
confess ones sin to the one affected by the sin. (avllh,lwn = other believers)
4. This
aspect of confession of sin is not to be beyond the circle of that sin's
influence.
and pray for one
another, so that you may be healed.
5:16b The Power of
Prayer
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
How can our prayer become effective,
powerful?
1. We
cannot pray in ignorance of biblical truths - principles and pray effectively.
K/BD then is key.
2. We are to pray with specific
people, things and results in mind.
3. We
must pray in faith, that is praying consistent with
the Word, confident that the God of heaven not only hears, but answers.
5:17-18 Illustration
of the Power of Prayer
Background of this incident that
James records here is 1 Kg 17-18
Elijah was a man
with a nature like ours,
and he prayed earnestly
that it would not rain,
God responded - He heard and answered!
and it did not rain on
the earth for three years and six months.