“For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous …”
Summary: In which we revisit 1 Peter 3:12 (a) and further explore the topic of righteousness.
Continue reading “1 Peter 3:12 (a) II — Confession”1 Peter 3:12 (a) II — Confession
James 5: 19-20 — The Right Way
My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.
How do you tell if someone has wandered from the truth?
What truth are we talking about?
What does it mean to bring them back? Back to what? Where?
I have to admit that being able to turn a sinner from the error of their way sounds like a wonderful thing . Can you imagine the rush that comes from knowing you have saved someone from death? And how easy! Simply turn them from the error of their way!
But what does that mean?
Continue reading “James 5: 19-20 — The Right Way”James 5: 17-18 — Harmony
Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.
Yes, Elijah was a human being. There is no indication in scripture that Elijah was anything more than a man. And yet he was called to be a prophet of God. He listened to God’s words and did what God wanted him to do.
Perhaps more important than whether he was human or not, was his righteousness. He obeyed God even at the risk of his own life.
The interesting thing I see about Elijah is that there is no difference between what Elijah wanted and what God wanted. Elijah prayed in harmony with God’s will. It is as if they were singing a duet together in close harmony. Elijah’s prayer was God’s will.
Continue reading “James 5: 17-18 — Harmony”James 5: 16b — Righteousness
The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.
We are almost at the end of James’ letter to the “twelve tribes.” Throughout his letter, James talks about what it means to be a righteous person.
A righteous person considers trials to be a joy. He knows that testing leads to perseverance, and perseverance leads to maturity. A righteous person is mature in faith. They are complete.
A righteous person has the wisdom the comes from God because they have asked and not doubted. They are of a single mind, one that is devoted to the Lord.
Continue reading “James 5: 16b — Righteousness”James 5: 16a — Now What?
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
It is the day after Easter. News of the most amazing event in history has spread around the globe. Everyone has been confronted by the reality of this amazing story. God in the flesh is killed by the beings he created. Three days later, the Son of God is seen alive again. Not just by one or two people but by hundreds of people who knew him before he died.
Myself and others, maybe even you, have chosen to believe in his resurrection and promise of forgiveness. Now what?
Now what, indeed.
Continue reading “James 5: 16a — Now What?”James 5: 15b — Artwork Redeemed
If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.
Today’s post happens to land on April 12, 2020. This day is special because it is Easter Sunday. It is unique because this year is the year of the COVIC-19 pandemic. This makes an odd backdrop to this year’s Easter. The pandemic has thrown the world into a panic. Thanks largely to a strategy of isolating people from each other, the Coronavirus has failed to reach what might be called critical mass in our country. Instead of being overwhelmed, many hospitals are empty.
Unfortunately, the isolation that has slowed the spread of the virus has also kept us away from church. So when Easter morning dawns today, there will be an eerie silence in most, if not all, of America’s churches.
What does this mean?
Continue reading “James 5: 15b — Artwork Redeemed”James 5: 15a — Sōzō
And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.
The title for our meditation is the Greek word, “sōzō.” It is the word that the NIV translates as made “well” in today’s verse. In English, we generally expect that if someone is made well, they are restored to complete health. After looking into the meaning of the Greek, sōzō, I am not entirely sure that is exactly what James meant.
Forgive me, I don’t mean to be questioning the fine minds that did the translation for NIV. Instead, I am questioning our understanding of what it means to be made well. Once again the challenge is discerning who’s point of view we should look at the word through; God’s or ours.
Continue reading “James 5: 15a — Sōzō”James 5: 14 — A Test of Faith
Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.
As I read this verse I am almost overwhelmed by the implications. How should we begin? Perhaps we should begin with being sick.
Who among us has not been sick at one time or another? Often our sickness passes and we get better. Some kinds of sickness affect the body for years. Other sicknesses lead to death. Sometimes quickly, other times very slowly.
As a Christian, we do not fear death. Yet almost no one yearns to be ill. We like feeling well. That is how we are intended to be.
Continue reading “James 5: 14 — A Test of Faith”James 5: 13b — Songfest
Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.
Even though there are a lot of things to be afraid of in life, there are also things that make us happy. When a family member is diagnosed with a medical condition we are naturally concerned. When that condition is successfully treated we are happy.
Happiness is a wonderful feeling that comes over us unexpectedly.
Continue reading “James 5: 13b — Songfest”James 5: 13a — Prayer
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray.
It seems a bit ironic to read this verse and be in the middle of a pandemic. People are dying and the rest of the world is scared. Who on earth isn’t in trouble right now? Let them pray!
Prayer is a wonderful thing because we don’t pray to someone we don’t believe in, even if it is only a little.
Continue reading “James 5: 13a — Prayer”