Today I shall endeavor to write down my comments on words that were written by the apostle James as he was instructing the church on how they were to deal with sickness and other matters of importance. James writes in chapter 5, verse 14 and 15, a series of questions and instructions.
“He’s starts out in verse 14 with a question “Is there any sick among you?” (Sickness is part of the curse of the law and Jesus has paid for it all on the cross,) 1Peter 2:24. But James knew that people would get sick, even Christians, so he gives us a simple remedy to get them well. This person who is sick needs to do one thing, “Call for the elders of the church.” This ends their responsibility and transfers it those who can help.
Now that the question has been asked, this is the answer. They are to go to the person who is sick and they are to bring oil for anointing and pray over him in the name of the Lord. This is not something that should be taken lightly by the elders. It is a matter of pain and relief or even life and death for the one who has called for help. What do these elders need to do their part?
First of all they need to have compassion. Just what is compassion? The Stongs Concordance gives the Greek word “splagenizmoi” that’s the only word used in the New Testament when Jesus was moved by his compassion. It means to feel sympathy, to pity, to have the bowels to yearn tender mercies, inward affection. To have compassion to empathize with someone who is suffering and feel compelled to reduce the suffering.
So we see that their job as elders was very serious and important to the well being of the person who was sick. They need to have the same compassion that moved Jesus in the New Testament. (Matthew 9:36, 14:14, 15:32, 20:34, Mark 1:41, 5:19, 6:34, 8:2, Luke 7:13)
The position of elder is one of the most important positions that the church has. An elder should be well versed in the ways of the Lord, full of wisdom and faith. A very much abused position in our modern day church world. The church was never to be run by one man, but by a group of elders in every church body. Enough of my meddling.
I want you to read verse 15 with me, “and the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise them up; if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” The first part of this verse is a declaration of fact that the prayer of faith shall save or heal the sick! Not just mouthing some words but words of faith by the person doing the praying. This is what God watches for and will move on every time.
John Lake believed this and he never failed to see the sick healed. In his healing rooms he trained each of his helpers as they prayed for their patient that they were to stay with them until they actually saw the manifestation of the healing take place before their eyes. In other words, when they got their assignment of the sick and went to them, they were not to return to the healing rooms until that person was healed. None of this by “faith” stuff is taught today by those who call themselves faith people.
If they prayed and nothing happened, then Lake believed the prayer of faith had not been prayed. Do it again and check yourself as to whether you are in faith or just taking it for granted your words would work. (Faith in your faith) It needs to be faith in God’s word that is forever established and true.
I have to agree with him as it truly states in James 5:15, “And the Lord will raise him up.” I know I will probably get flack from my belief on this but God’s word is true and let every man be a liar.
I also want you to see the second part of this verse as a promise from God himself to heal you and raise you up. Can you imagine sickness not responding to God as he touches you? Of course not! It always yielded to Jesus as he spoke healing to those who needed healing. Always!
Now I want you to look at the last part of this verse as it is also another promise from God. This is a very touchy subject so I will only mention what James has said about it. “And if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” Sickness can be caused by our failure to deal with our sins or certain “pet sins” we all have in our lives. I am not saying that all sickness is caused by sin, but then again it is.
Adam and Eve brought this part of the curse on all their descendants and we are all paying the price for it still. Jesus has provided the relief from sickness but it takes faith on our part to enforce it in our lives and for others. Acts 10:38 and 1 Peter 2:24.
The prayer of faith? Just what is this prayer of faith? I believe a deep relationship with our Lord is what causes this supernatural event to happen. There are varying aspects in our lives as a Christian and the more we know who He is, the easier it is to trust him. This trust is the key to knowing it will happen. Mark 11:24
Trust is something we just kind of gloss over as it is not something that is taught in Church school. It is up to each of us to get as close to Jesus as we dare or allow ourselves. But if we are to pray the prayer of faith then it is the “key” we need to help the person who desperately needs the Lords touch.
Tough place for the man of God, but one that needs to be looked at carefully if we are to be effective. The prayer of faith will work every time, but it is up to us to make sure it does. I hope this makes sense as it is written to each of you, to help you find your own special place that you know our Father will do what His word has said He would. You have His word on it!
Remember you will make it, just don’t give up. See you in next months letter.
In His Service As Kilted Priest
The Kilted Priest 