Verses thirteen through sixteen– Verse 13 notes that we are to act and react according to our circumstances. If we are afflicted we are to pray to the Lord for help and deliverance from the situation. The word “afflicted” is kapopatheia in the Greek, which means ill circumstance, distress, hardship. Generally, the word describes any personal trouble other than physical or mental sickness. The Apostle Paul gives us a perfect example of kapopatheia in his second letter to the church at Corinth, chapter 11 verses 23-28 where he tells of being near death often. For example, he had been beaten with 39 stripes five times (40 stripes was thought to kill a man). Three times he was beaten with rods. On one occasion he was stoned and left for dead. A shipwreck caused him to spend a day and a night in the ocean. He had been on many dangerous missions in his service to God. His life and possessions had been subject to robbers. He had been in perils in the cities and in the wilderness. His enemies had been both Jews and Gentiles. He had suffered weariness and pain. He had often suffered thirst and hunger. He had fasted often and suffered cold and nakedness. Beside all this he had born the responsibility of the church. One can imagine that Paul sent many prayers God’s way during those trying and difficult times. Contrariwise, James 5:13 allows us to envision Paul rejoicing during times of peace and tranquility.

In verse 14,15 James tells us what to do if we find ourselves in a sickened condition. We are told to call for the elders of the church who will anoint us with oil and pray in the name of the Lord. God promises that the prayer of faith will heal the sick, and if the sick person has committed any sins, they will be forgiven. In many cases sickness and disease are the result of sin. Jesus informs us that in such cases forgiveness of sin and healing go hand in hand. In Matthew 9:1-7 is recorded an episode where the Lord had pronounced the healing of a palsied man with these words: “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven.” This caused quite a stir among His detractors, to whom He replied: “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Yours sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk?'” In verse 16 He tells us that the prayer of a righteous man accomplishes much. James gives the example of Elijah who, through prayer, prevented rain from falling in Israel for three and one half years. God is no respecter of persons. What He did through Elijah He will do through any righteous person of faith. I have personally been the recipient of this Godly power in terms of healing, deliverance, producing rainfall, nullifying the effects of bad drinking water, etc. As the Lord tells us, there is nothing impossible for a person of faith and righteousness (Mat. 10:27/Mk. 9:23/Jam. 5:16).

Also in James 5:16 we find the Lord telling us to confess our faults one to another. This means to confess how one has offended another person. If I offend you, I will confess that offense to you and will make amends with you. Our personal dealings with one another are no one else’s business.

Verses nineteen and twenty– Here we find one of the most deliberately overlooked passages in the entire Bible. Those who believe that they are saved in this life and cannot lose that salvation are loath to even read the passage. Note that James is addressing the church–his spiritual “brethren.” “If anyone (in the church) errs from the Truth–sins–AND ONE CONVERTS HIM (brings him back to the Lord), know that he who converts the sinning church member from his sinning ways WILL SAVE THE SINNER’S SOUL FROM DEATH.” Note it: A “saved” sinner’s SOUL WILL DIE unless he stops sinning and returns to God. This is also spoken of in the Old Testament where we are told: “The soul that sins, that soul dies” (Eze. 18:4,20). BELIEVE GOD’S WORD. REJECT CHURCH DOCTRINE. L.J.