Bible Study Notes for James 5:13-18

Faith and Healing
James 5:13-18

We established for the last two weeks that the New Testament would lead us to believe our ultimate hope and aim is not perfect health and prosperity on this present earth. When looking at all of scripture, we see a theme that calls us to embrace our weakness because it demonstrates that we do not live this life by our own strength. Paul wrote describing the battle he had with his own struggles,
2Cor. 12:9 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
2Cor. 12:10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

We probably could all admit that we want to find strength in the evidence of a miracle in our lives. Seeing God's power do the supernatural can provide the delusion of a power boost to our faith. Paul concludes that Christ's power is most evident in our intense moments of weakness. Grace is a sufficient gift to endure this present life's struggles. Even better, grace is the "perfect power" we need to endure whatever life may bring our way.

James 1:2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, James 1:3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.

QUESTION: Why do you think we desire to see a temporal miracle (like healing) instead of experiencing God's empowering grace?

James 5:13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise.
James 5:14 Is anyone among you sick?

He gives us three situations. Those in the midst of pain, you can run to the Father, and he will hear you. You can cast your anxiety upon him, for he cares for you. Have you seen the mercy and grace of God in your life? Encourage your heart and the hearts of those around you and sing praise to the Father. But what if someone is sick. As we stated on Sunday, we believe James intends us to understand this to be spiritual weakness. What are the spiritually weak to do? What have you possibly heard in the past when someone is struggling with their faith? "Have you been reading good books? Have you been listening to Christian podcasts? Have you been reading your bible? How often have you been praying?"

Telling someone to try harder when they are suffering spiritually seems to be the exact opposite of what James wrote. Instead, he has them reach out to the ones who care for their souls to come and pray for the restoration of their spirit.

v. 14: Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.

QUESTION: Why do you think Christians have a hard time admitting when they are struggling spiritually? What has prevented you from reaching out for help, as James instructs?

I don't believe James is separating the elders from the congregation but simply using them as a representation of the whole body. James is giving instructions for the churches to learn to depend upon each other in times of weakness. The next verse helps us understand the power of the body of Christ praying for each other.

James 5:15 And the prayer of faith will save the One who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.

Thinking through the issue of healing again, one is not healed because they didn't have enough faith that God would heal them. That would mean you were healed by the power of your faith and not the power of God. It was your faith that brought the change, not the power of God.

Heb. 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

The rest of chapter eleven uses the words "by faith" and then explains they trusted in the words and power of God before they acted. They trusted in the existence of God's power. James is using the same conclusion. It is not faith in the act of the religious ceremony of prayer that brings healing as if it is a magical phrase one can use to invoke the healing power of God. The power is not in the act or the words but faith in the One to whom you are addressing. Believe in the power of God on behalf of this person, and their faith will be strengthened. But what kind of restoration are we speaking of?

QUESTION: Why do we struggle to trust in the prayers of others to be a sufficient healing source for our spiritual weakness?

Gal. 6:1 Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted.
Gal. 6:2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.

I think this would apply to the second part of James' point. That there will be times when we need to go and help a member of our congregation to be restored from the prison of sin. Why does Paul tell them to go to them? Because they are too weak to see the mess they have fallen into. But we don't just point out the problem and walk away. We then help carry the burden that caused the weakness and entrapment. We become the bumpers in life to keep them out of the gutter they fell into. This is also why James has us confess our sins to each other, to prevent divisions within the church. If we are fighting because of sin, we will not have the strength to care for each other in times of pain and suffering.

James 5:16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
QUESTION: How can we help each other be more comfortable at admitting when we are struggling? How can we help each other confess the sins we struggle with?

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PRAISE, PRAYER, AND CONFESSION:
What can you offer to the Father in praise? What is a sin you need to confess?
What is a burden we can carry?
What can we take to our Father in prayer?