James 5:12-20
James in his concluding remarks makes us understand the characteristics of the God we serve and the responsibilities laid on us believers. He portrays God to be sovereign over Heaven and Earth, our sufferings, our joy, our sicknesses, our sins, over droughts, rains and fruit and even over death.
In response to who God is, James wanted his readers to understand the importance of the noble ministry handed over to us- Prayer, praise and persuading the erring one back to Truth.
1. Ministry of Prayer
Prayer is the highest form of act by which we can approach God. Prayer is to our soul what breath is to our body. James reminds us to pray – in faith (Vs 15), for one another (Vs 16), earnestly (Vs17).
He also encourages us to pray by pointing us to the characteristics of Christ. As he is Jehovah Rapha who heals our sickness and heals our hearts and lifts us up when we pray in faith and in community.
He also is the one who forgives our sins when we confess our sins to the Lord and also to one another (those committed against one another). One has to pray for one another for forgiveness and healing – physical and spiritual. Jesus, in teaching the model prayer says,
For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
Matthew 6:14
He also answers our prayers when we pray in the will of God. Elijah being a man just like us, prayed earnestly and the Lord answered his prayers. Here the emphasis is praying earnestly.
All these stand as strong examples for one to pray to God. Prayer is the greatest weapon God has given to his beloved which would never become void until they meet their saviour.
2. Ministry of Praise
James is calling his readers to praise the Lord when one is cheerful. It is to say that the reason for one’s cheerfulness is God himself. Psalms are an expression of one’s praise to God for what God has done in their lives.
To praise the Lord is to acknowledge His goodness and faithfulness in our lives. Praising the Lord is one of the privileges God has bestowed upon his beloved. We as believers are eternally indebted to praise Him for all He has done in our lives!
3. Ministry of Persuading erring one to truth
James finally is reminding of the noble ministry given to us, the ministry of bringing back people who are drifting away from the truth. It is to persuade people to live a God fearing lives through our example and exhortation. Paul in writing to Galatians calls us to same kind of duty to strengthen the spiritually weak.
“Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.”
Galatians 6:1
One who is joining hands in this kind of ministry is impacting the lives of people who are erring, eternally!
Conclusion
Dear Christian, would you consider joining hands in this ministry. God has given us an utmost privilege to come to His throne of Grace through prayer, praise and to persuade people to live for God. Oh how beautiful are the feet of those who share in such ministry!
It is my prayer that God may enable you to join hands with God and live for Him.
God bless you.
Till He Returns,
CHRIST FOR GOOGLE GENERATION 