Gospel Light Christian Church Thru-The-Bible Series (32.5)

The General Epistle of James

James Chapter 5:16-20 - Read this Bible passage once through before referring to the notes below.

v16.     That sin can cause sickness leading to death is stated clearly by Paul: For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep (1Cor 11:30).  So James now reminds us that mutual confession and prayer bring healing, both physically and spiritually; these free us from the heavy burdens (physically and spiritually) of sin not dealt with, and put us in line with the powerful workings of the Holy Spirit. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.

To confess you faults means to confess your sins. Now sins are committed against God, and it is logical therefore that confessions should be made to God.  So why then does James here tell us to confess our sins one to another?   Let’s examine this.

In the first place, note that James did not say we are to confess to a priest.  No he says to confess to one another.  So there is no such thing as a confession to a human priest.  Secondly, the reason we want to confess our sins one to another is this.  Sin is very demanding, it wants all of us.  Confession to another in the body of Christ is essential, because confession breaks the power of secret sin. Sin should especially be confessed where physical healing is necessary. 

What is the meaning of the word, “confess”?  The root form means literally to say the same thing; hence, it means that in confession sin we agree to identify it by its true name and admit that it is sin. 

Since confession is to be made one to another, as in a prayer meeting, how should those hearing the confession act?  Well, the one who hears the confession should have one response: loving, intercessory prayer; not human wisdom, gossiping, or "sharing" the need with others.  Are we doing this?

It has been said, and wisely so, that confession is good, but must be made with discretion; an unwise confession of sin can be the cause of more sin.  

Now James goes on to say that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.  This once again brings us back to the earlier verse where James says that Christians praying should ask in faith, nothing wavering.  This is what effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man means.

v17.     James now gives an example of the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.  We often have the tendency to think that people like Elijah must be a super holy person.  But James here says he is a man like us, subject to like passions.  So if he can pray for great things, like stopping the rain on earth for 3½ years, and God answered his prayer, so can we.  Elijah prayed fervently and earnestly, and God answered him, proving that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

Notice that 2 things are mentioned here: effectual fervent prayer and a righteous man. The problem is that much of our prayer today is not effective simply because it is not fervent.  We pray with a lukewarm attitude that virtually asks God to care about something that we care little about. Effective prayer must be fervent, not because we must emotionally persuade a reluctant God, but because we must gain God's heart by being fervent for the things He is fervent for.

Notice also that, effective prayer is offered by a righteous man namely, one who recognizes the grounds of his righteousness reside in Jesus, and whose personal walk is generally consistent with that righteousness he has in Jesus. 

If the prayer is effectual and fervent, but the praying man is not righteous as in the above context, it is useless. Conversely, a righteous man can pray, but if the prayer is not effectual and fervent, it availeth little.

v18.     And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.  This reinforces what has been said in the preceding verse.

v19.     Having introduced the topics of sin and confession, James reminds us of the need to confront those who have wandered from the truth: Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him. Remember that not all the Jews were believers at that time.

Now note that if some one does go astray, a Christian has the duty to lead him to the Lord.  This is what James means by one convert him, a reference to turning him from the error of his way. This is still our obligation today, in furtherance to the Great Commission given to us by the Lord Himself. 

v20.     Now the Christian has a duty to let the erring one know his errors: Let him know. You need to declare the Gospel message to the sinner. There is a blessing involved here: that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death.  Have you been witnessing for the Lord?  Did you ever have the satisfaction and joy of leading someone to the Lord? 

The wonderful thing is that once a sinner is converted, that conversion process shall hide a multitude of sins.  Yes, the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sins (1Jn 1:7b). And God will not recall those multitudes of sins anymore, for they are hidden in Christ who bore them at the Cross in Calvary. 

With this, James concludes his letter making a reference back to his earlier exhortation not to be just hearers of the word, but to be doers as well.  Are you?