Hello Friends!
This week we’ll CONCLUDE our serious “study” series solemnly surveying the powerful book of James in considering the TRUE calling of the “Christian” life as directed throughout this excellent Epistle – “Putting Faith to Work!”
The Book of James: Putting Faith to Work! (Chapter 5: Verses 13-20)
13 Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms. 14 Is any sick among you? 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: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. 17 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. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit. 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins – James 5:13-20
OPENING POINTS TO PONDER: In considering this FINAL passage of our joyous journey through the book of James, we now arrive at one of the most interesting and entirely ENCOURAGING sections of this lauded letter. It is ONE that has been a battleground for interpreters throughout the centuries as to its TRUE manifested “meaning” and apt “application” for “our” called-out “Christian” lives lived out – TODAY!
This section of “scripture” represents the particular passage in which the Roman Catholic clergy wrongly references to SUPPORT what they refer to as their sacrament surmised of “Extreme Unction” or the “Final Anointing” administered as one of their “Last Rites” piously performed by her priests. It is also a passage that MANY so-called fickle “faith-healers” and ardent advocates of the modern-day heralded “Healing” movement wrongly wrangle to PROPOUND the preposterous notion that “we” have an absolute and all-encompassing PROMISE from Almighty “God” for a granted guaranteed healing in whole if we will simply “pray” with a factious “faith” under the pragmatically proper circumstances. Similarly, this particular passage is quite often wrongly interpreted to SUPPORT the act of rubbing “oil” on the supposed “sick” people to wholly “heal” them completely. These are deceptive and direly – DANGEROUS Doctrines!
In addition, this very challenging chapter addresses the all IMPORTANT subject of Sovereignly surmised purposed “prayer” as it is majestically mentioned within EVERY practical point! Beloved, when “we” want to “endure” through “suffering” what can be DONE? We must “pray“ earnestly. WHY? Because “we” are deeply DEPENDING upon “our” amazing All-Powerful perfect DIVINE source dictated. Therefore, “James” will aptly address ALL of these issues in this Sovereign section of his excellent “epistle” espoused – CAREFUL Consideration!
The main KEY to proper interpretation of absolutely ANY passage of “Scripture” is indeed always the clear CONTEXT of each section as it is properly interpreted in the CONTEXT of the entire book, it's corresponding chapter, the paragraph before and the paragraph after as penned. Therefore, proper CONTEXT is the environment of thought properly contained throughout – Closing QUESTIONS Considered…
WHAT kind of “suffering” is pastor “James” rightly referring to here?
WHAT kind of “sickness” is pastor “James” rightly referring to here?
WHAT kind of “anointing” is pastor “James” rightly referring to here?
WHAT kind of “oil” is pastor “James” rightly referring to here?
WHAT kind of “healing” is pastor “James” rightly referring to here?
WHAT kind of “prayers” by the “elders of the church” are rightly referring to here?
DO these “elders of the church” have special access directly to “God” Himself?
WHY is an illustration of “rain” placed in the middle of this passage?
WILL the personal “prayer of faith” offered up always restore the “one” who is “sick” to good health?
HOW will the “Lord raise him up” as personally promised in kind?
HOW is sordid “sin” surmised aptly appropriated into these commonly MISREPRESENTED passages?
Pastor “James” will appropriately ADDRESS these often challenging concerns in this solemn “study” session finalized within their – Clear CONTEXT Considered!
Praying IN Suffering!
In this powerful passage “we” will find FOUR righteous RESOURCES of personal “prayer” for the loyal “Christian” of whom is seriously “suffering” through much “grief“ in his spiritual life lamented:
ONE: Personal “prayer” and constant ~ COMFORT Contained!
TWO: Personal “prayer” and righteous ~ RESTORATION Received!
THREE: Personal “prayer” and faithful ~ FELLOWSHIP Fostered!
FOUR: Personal “prayer” and provisional ~ POWER Provided!
Here “James” is telling “us” that the HEART of endearing “endurance” is fomented fervent petitioned “prayer” purposed. And earlier in verse 6 of this same chapter, he surely speaks DIRECTLY to the wretched “rich men” as the oppressors overtly outlined: “Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you" as such. In other words, this promoted “persecution” of the beloved “brethren” was indeed very SEVERE and were deeply devastated by spiritual WEARISOME woes. In fact, some of these “unbelieving” worldly “rich men” ruffians of the Jewish jurisdiction were literally KILLING these bemoaned “believers” without care. Therefore, many of these “brethren” were suffering bodily injury and physical wounds even unto the point of DEATH determined – Suffering FOR Christ!
RESOURCE number ONE: Personal “prayer” and constant ~ COMFORT Contained!
Therefore, “James” purveys by PROCLAIMING to the individual ardently “afflicted” at hand:
Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms – James 5:13
The word “afflicted” was also used earlier in verse 10 of which means to suffer EVIL treatment. Therefore, “James” aptly asks: " Is any among you afflicted? let him pray" as appropriate. HOW? Through a continual pleading unto “God” Almighty! On the other hand, he also asks: "Is any merry?" And thus replies: "let him sing psalms” proclaimed. WHY? Because “we” must turn to “our” great “God” with a consorted CHEERFUL attitude of a constant conforming – COMFORT Contained!
RESOURCE number TWO: Personal “prayer” and righteous ~ RESTORATION Received!
Consequently “James” then moves beyond the individual personally “suffering” out to the OTHERS of whom are “among you” that have LOST the ability to eagerly “endure” such surmised “suffering” on behalf of “Jesus Christ” in full. Here the true “believer” is personally pictured as a wholesome WOUNDED warrior found to be “sick” in a surely spiritual sense via his weary WALK willed. Thus, “James” continues to corporately “call” upon the PLURALITY of eager “elders” within the ”church” for the proper Biblical shepherding through purposed “prayer” over of the people of “God” granted:
Is any sick among you? 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 – James 5:14
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: There are SEVERAL such Greek terms for “sick” found throughout the New Testament of which can refer to an “illness” or dreaded “disease” in kind. However, the original term held here is a very IMPORTANT one to rightly understand. WHY? Because the particular word used here is “Astheneo” and all Greek lexicons agree that its PRIMARY meaning is to be weak, feeble or impotent in matters of “faith” fashioned. In fact, throughout the ardent “Apostle Paul’s” four prison “epistles“ as well as the HISTORICAL narrative neatly “written” by Doctor “Luke” as rightly recorded in the Book of Acts succinctly, this particular Greek word “Astheneo” is utilized in most passages within the CONTEXT of surmised spiritual weary “weakness” of a wandering – WEAK Walk!
To further explore this poignant point, let’s consider “Paul’s” infamous “thorn in the flesh” for a very interesting use of this same Greek word “Astheneo” as he woefully LAMENTS in his second “epistle” to the “believers” within the “Corinthian” congregation:
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me – 2 Corinthians 12:7-9
Here “Paul” is speaking in the CONTEXT of his personal persecutions and dire difficulties experienced THROUGHOUT his ardent Apostolic life for faithfully “following” our loving “Lord Jesus Christ” in full. He proclaims in verse 7 that he has a “thorn in the flesh” of which in verse 8 he had “besought the Lord thrice” that it would “depart” from him as such. But, as the “scriptures” surmise, it indeed NEVER did! With that said, was “Paul’s“ terrible “thorn in the flesh” itself a physical ailment of sorts? Most likely. Albeit “we” are NOT given any specifics of this PARTICULAR plight. However, we DO indeed know for sure that the prelate “Paul” himself surely “suffered” very MUCH in his life for the Sovereign signified “sake” of the glorious “Gospel” message:
Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches – 2 Corinthians 11:22-28
Therefore, “God” Himself had surely “said” unto the aged “Apostle Paul” concerning His great GRACE given as such: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" to which in humble “weakness” of a PROPER reply is rejoindered:
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong – 2 Corinthians 12:10
The same Greek word that “Paul” used in this passage for his “weak” again is “Astheneo” of which comes upon the “fallen” and “sinful” human “flesh” as a real RESULT of the deeply difficult dastardly “distresses” of life that is quite COMMON to absolutely – ALL Believers!
Then pastor “James” says “we” should confidently “call for the elders of the church” and “let them pray over him” as such WHY? Because the endowed “elders” are the spiritual strength and encompassing ENCOURAGEMENT of which “we” can constantly “call” upon as an excellent EXAMPLE to follow! In other words, “we” can then GO to the spiritually strong men of whom are “patiently enduring” the many hardships of life and DRAW upon their sound – Strength for BATTLE!
HISTORICAL HINTS: Next “James” says the “elders” should also be “anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord” as such. WHY? Because this is consistent with the caring “Christian” life! HOW? The Greek word for “anoint” used here is “Aleipho“ of which means to vigorously RUB over the body in an effort to carefully cleanse or surely sooth a wound. Incidentally, this word “Aleipho“ itself is NEVER used anywhere in the “scripture” of the New Testament in reference to a ceremonial anointing for either Charismatic “Impartation” or in Catholicism’s “Last Rite” purposes. In fact, that is a completely different word in the Greek being “Chrio“ of which was used for the pouring of a particular “oil” over a person’s head and feet. There is NOTHING of a mundane “mystical” nor mandated “magical” nature spoken of pertaining to “oil” found ANYWHERE in Holy Writ. Rather, as compassionate caring “shepherds” set over “God’s” faithful flock, “James” thereby instructs the eager “elders” to eagerly ENCOURAGE and to “pray over” and even “Aleipho“ potential physical wounds of the body if necessary – Love AND Care!
Is it any wonder than that “James” continues in this SAME manner concerning “faith” and the power of “prayer” portioned?
And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him – James 5:15
This proclaimed “prayer of faith” offered by the “elders of the church” will surely “save the sick” and the “Lord” will righteously “raise him up” from his SPIRITUAL deadness. Incidentally, the Greek word used here for "sick" is actually “Komnonta“ and means to be weary in waning “spirit” as such. In fact, this word “Komnonta“ regarding the word “wearied” is used only ONE other place within the New Testament narrative…
For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds – Hebrews 12:3
Therefore, “consider” our sweet Savior and loving “Lord Jesus Christ” of Whom has “endured” much corrupted “contradiction of sinners” so that “ye” may not “Komnonta“ as to fickly “faint in your minds” set ON Him! Similarly, “James” is rightly referring to those “believers” of whom in the MIDST of great “persecution” were foolishly “fixing their eyes” upon their TROUBLES rather than upon their ”Author and Finisher of our faith” and thus were NOT aptly able to humbly “endure” their spiritual battles…
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God – Hebrews 12:1-2
Rather, “we” are to lovingly “look” upon “our” only Justifier “Jesus Christ” Himself FULLY as He eagerly “endured the cross” and by deeply “despising the shame” consider Him ALWAYS in our lives – Komnonta WEARY!
Notice that “James” further says: “and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him” as such. The proper CONTEXT of wording “save the sick” proves for certain that it is NOT referring to a “sickness” regarding a particular physical ailment of sorts, Rather, it is one of a “spiritual” nature fostering FORGIVENESS found fully through “Jesus Christ” alone. In other words, “James” is surly stating that if our “weariness” and spiritual DEFEAT is a direct result of an un-confessed and wholly habitual issue of sordid SIN residing in our lives, our loving “Lord” will righteously RESTORE us to a right “relationship” with Himself if we “pray” unto HIM for His full “forgiveness” found.
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness – 1 John 1:8-9
Therefore, it is within a LOVING environment of fervent “prayer” and real “repentance” in carefully “confessing” your “sins” directly to GOD so that “we” will NOT greatly “grow weary” or be “Komnonta“ and He will FORGIVE each of “us” righteous – RESTORATION Received!
RESOURCE number THREE: Personal “prayer” and faithful ~ FELLOWSHIP Fostered!
“James” continues ardently ADDING to our powerful “prayer” resources by addressing “one another” within the entire congregation:
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much – James 5:16
Up to this point, “James” has said if one is spiritually weak they ought to get ALONGSIDE someone who is spiritually strong and let him “pray” for them. And if your “heart” is surly sincere in that you WANT the “Lord” to rightly restore you, He WILL do it. And since the “effectual fervent prayer” petitioned by a “righteous man” can avidly “availeth much” in such matters, “we” are to carefully “confess“ all such associated applicable frail “faults one to another” and to “pray one for another” in kind. WHY? So that “we” may be “healed” of our sordid “sins” sadly set against the Most High. HOW? By the “effectual” and energetic “fervent prayer” of the “righteous man” in purposely PLEASING our loving “Lord” Himself! Therefore, true POWER is found in purposeful personal “prayers” that are according to His “will” and “Word” in sacrificially SHARING the nigh – Needs of OTHERS!
CONTEXTUAL COMMENTS: The core CONTEXT considered in verses 14-16 clearly comprise a proclaiming of wholesome “healing” helps for our SPIRITUAL woe-filled weariness, elated exhaustion and dire depression of which calls for SPIRITUAL means to aptly address. Therefore, there is NO compelling reason to hold to the premise that “James” has inserted an unconditional PROMISE for personal “healing” held of a physical nature in this passage. WHY? Because the passages before and after these verses would NEVER cause one to expect that to be the case. And as we will also find, the FINAL unfolding two verses of this very challenging chapter should NOT cause us to expect this simply because we CLAIM it to be as such. However, a beautiful passage on HOW to wholly help our other “brethren” of whom are SPIRITUALLY troubled makes absolute perfect sense – HOWEVER…
Is ”our” great “God” is indeed ABLE to actually physically wholly “heal” such people TODAY just as HE may “will” in accordance with His sure Sovereign perfect “plan” for humanity? – ABSOLUTELY!
In fact, He is our great “God” seated “in the heavens” and He “hath done whatsoever he hath pleased” eternally – Whenever HE Pleases!
Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake. Wherefore should the heathen say, Where is now their God? But our God is in the heavens: he hath done whatsoever he hath pleased – Psalm 115:1-3
And “we” as bold “believers” indeed certainly HAVE the wonderful privilege to practically “pray one for another” in the PERFECT providential “will of God” granted. However, physical bodily “healing” is clearly NOT the meaningful main point that pastor “James” is mindfully making here in this POWERFUL passage. The absolute correctly contained CONTEXT is captured within a faithful – FELLOWSHIP Fostered!
RESOURCE number FOUR: Personal “prayer” and provisional ~ POWER Provided!
And to cordially conclude this captivating Sovereign series of POWERFUL points pertaining to “prayer” proclamations, pastor “James” leaves all of “us” an illustrious illustration mined through the legitimate life of “Elijah“ taken from the Old Testament transcendent HISTORICAL narrative:
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. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit – James 5:17-18
BIBLICAL BACKGROUND: The Jews within the “assembly” themselves considered “Elijah” to be the most adventurous of the Old Testament Prophets and EVERYONE was very familiar with him. And “Elijah” was certainly NOT a surmised “sinless” super-saint to be sure, as he was indeed FULL of personal “passions“ and practically possessed a fickly FALLEN nasty nature in kind. WHY? Because he was wholly human just as “we” too are today. Therefore, “James” relays that this godly man purposely “prayed earnestly” in regards to meteorologic “rain” matters. This is an amazing Greek phrase of which means to have “prayed with prayer“ and is a compound way to say “Elijah” himself had REALLY rightly “prayed” in practice…
And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word… And it came to pass after a while, that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land – 1 Kings 17:1 & 7
Here “James” says this godly man’s purposed “prayers” were so POWERFUL that it “shall not be dew nor rain” and did NOT do so for “three years and six months” by God’s Sovereign design. Then it had “came to pass after many days” that the emphatic “Elijah” had personally “prayed again” that the “Lord” would surely “send” an ardent “abundance of rain” redescent throughout the looming “land” as it was PROPHECIED perfectly…
And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth… And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain – 1 Kings 18:1 & 41
The ONLY thing we know about this particular “prayer” and subsequent DRAUGHT is what pastor “James” tells us here. And “Elijah” was a human being just LIKE each of “us” are in kind, strong at some points and weak at other points. Therefore, “James” justly said to legitimately “Look AT him” as an excellent EXAMPLE when he “prayed” in practical power and to “LOOK” at what “God” Himself Divinely DID in His response! As a righteous result, “Elijah” really had “prayed with prayer“ and “we” can read all about his spectacular luminous “life” lived – Elijah REALLY Prayed!
Many professing bemoaned “believers” will piously “pray” in jest. However, they do NOT themselves REALLY practically “pray” unto “God” intentionally in this like manner. Rather, they “sinfully“ speak to HIM as if He was simply a bosom buddy or a Divine door man on stand-by just WAITING to willfully receive His ordained orders as such. Or as if He was a Sovereign secretary dully dictating the DIABOLICAL and elusive “evil” demonic desires of their “sinful” and fallen “hearts” heralded – Woeful WICKEDNESS!
Again, if “James” had been referring to physical healing, he could have used a MYRIAD of other illustrations on the topic. Therefore, “James” says that GOD Himself had surely “sent” the raging “rain” in righteous RESPONSE to the powerful purposed “prayers” of this “righteous” man named “Elijah” encompassed. Likewise, in response to the “righteous prayers” of bold “believers” tantamount TODAY, our great “God” will Sovereignly “send” the real restoring spiritual “fruit” of heralded Holy Spirit filled justified “joy” and passionate “patience” provided unto the parched, weary, exhausted, weak and struggling called-out “Christian” who so desperately NEEDS a redescent refreshing touch soundly SENT from “heaven” above – POWER Provided!
SAVING Souls!
These final two vehement verses are a very fitting conclusion to this wonderful “epistle” as they express the MAIN objective observed through “James'” entire “epistle” emulated... A sure Salvation!
Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins – James 5:19-20
As we have discussed, the term “sinner” is absolutely ALWAYS used in the “Scriptures” to refer to those feeble folks who are OUTSIDE of the spiritually Sovereign “Kingdom of God” granted. And this entire “letter” is intended to CONVERT the lost “sinner” from the error of his way and to SAVE his sordid “soul” from spiritual dooming “death” through our great “God’s” finalized full FORGIVENESS of sadistic “sin” surmised. Its entire evangelistic emphasis is PRIMARILY directed at a professing person within the “assembly” of whom outwardly names the “Name” of “Jesus Christ” crassly. However, inwardly is harbored a demonically “dead in spirit” inhabited. Therefore, “James” informs the beloved “brethren” to be ardently AWARE of the unregenerate person “of you” whom egregiously “err from the truth” due to an ERRANT theology constantly coupled with the enormous “error of his way” woefully LIVED out through an encompassing – ERRANT Life!
THEOLOGICAL THOUGHTS: The ardent “Apostle Paul” himself further faithfully WARNS of many “such people” perched within the appointed “assembly” of our great “God” assumed:
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away – 2 Timothy 3:2-5
These “such people” people polled within the called-out “church” have a FALSE fickle frail “faith” foolishly holding to a fiendish “form of godliness” but demonically “denies” the potent “power” of “God” granted THROUGH the “Holy Spirit” just as – Paul WARNS Timothy!
Similarly, the “Apostle John” in his first epistle was also “written” to confidently CONFRONT the amiable “assembly” of the professing prelates to eagerly “examine” their personal profession to “be sure” it is indeed a REAL foundational “faith” found in “Jesus Christ” rather than a dead fickle “faith” producing NOTHING for our glorious “God” granted:
And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God – 1 John 5:11-13
In other words, “James,” “John” and “Paul” all want to be for “certain“ that absolutely NO one is deeply “deceived” about their “salvation” claim. In fact, The “Lord Jesus Christ” first perfectly prompted this emphatic enigma on His Sovereignly surmised ”Sermon on the Mount“ when He somberly said:
Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity – Matthew 7:21-23
With that very eternally frightening statement, our loving “Lord” introduced the “truth” that there WILL without a doubt be “many” people who will name His nigh “Name” and even piously “preach” His glorious “Gospel” message. In fact, they WILL also do “many wonderful works” wrought IN His name. However, they are NOT at all – GENUINE Christians!
And now as “James” closes his excellent “epistle” in full, he has ONE final sound “salvation” appropriate appeal for his “hearers” to heed. But this time he's not “preaching” directly TO the universally unsaved as he did back in chapter 4. Here he is directing the beloved “brethren” to personally PURSUE the lauded “lost” looming souls from “among” their ranks. Notice also that “James” does NOT refer primarily to the “elders” here. Rather, this is a fervent “call” of righteous responsibility for absolutely ALL truly bold “believers” birthed within the ardent “assembly” unto the “ministry” of eager “evangelism” towards the lost “souls” found fostered “among you” wrought from within the chosen “church” company. This is indeed a very important DISTINCTION to make concerning – SAVING Souls!
In closing:
Therefore, “we” ought to carefully “consider” anyone who used to be a part of the “church” naming the “Name” of our “Lord Jesus Christ” and readily “reach out” to such folks. WHY? Because the Theological threat of eternal JUDGMENT for those “among you” is much greater than the “someone” who has NEVER personally professed His Holy Name:
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? – Hebrews 10:29
And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh – Jude 22-23
Beloved, our grand “Gospel” efforts should definitely include the people “among” us who PROFESS to keenly “know” the justifying “Jesus Christ” but of whom do NOT truly “know” Him as their “Lord” and “Savior” alone. Herein lies an intensely incredible – MINISTRY Opportunity!
We are not guaranteed tomorrow – tomorrow may be too late! If you haven't yet made that most important decision of your life, won't you make Jesus Christ your personal Lord and Savior today - before it's too late? Today is the day of Salvation!
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