James

Chapters 1-5

The epistle of James is an often-debated book because of it seems to contradict Paul on the doctrine of justification by faith alone.  James writes the letter to the Jews of the Diaspora, the scattering of the Jews throughout the known world.  As a good Jew and the half-brother of Jesus, James knew the law well.  In His letter, he mentions the law several times, calling it “the perfect law,” “the royal law,” and the “law of liberty.”  This is a problem for many who understand that Paul’s insistence that the law is dead (unto salvation) and faith is the only way to righteousness.  James does not teach that his readers are under the law for salvation or as a rule of life.  Rather, portions of the law are referred to as instruction in righteousness for those who are under grace.  As the co-leader of the Christian community in Jerusalem and as a “pillar” of the church, it is not surprising to see some fifty-four instructions or commands given by him to the community.

Chapter 1 – Faith and Endurance

As one of the leaders of The Way in Jerusalem, James is familiar with persecution and trials.  Written in between A.D. 45 to 48, this was the first of the NT letters written for instruction and encouragement.  It is interesting to hear James describe himself as a “bondservant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  At one time he was a doubter of the true identity of Jesus as Messiah, but events have unfolded that convinced him that his half-brother was indeed the Son of God and he, James, was a willing servant to Him.  He writes to “dear brothers and sisters,” fellow believers in the Lord.

1.      James says to his readers, “whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy.”  Why would trouble be an opportunity for joy?  (A) It is not a natural human response to find joy in the midst of troubles – we must make a __________ commitment to face them in joy.  I’ve used the word commitment to underscore the idea that this is not a once in a while reaction, but a ____________ response to problems as the Holy Spirit within us gives us courage and strength, knowing that we are not alone in the battle and that God is in charge of it all.  The original word for troubles (trials) means, “to put someone or something to the test.”  God brings some tests to improve and increase the strength and quality of one’s faith.  Another word used in place of “endurance” is “patience” and few people today can boast of this trait.  “When our “endurance” or “patience” is fully developed (and it may take a lifetime) you will be strong in character and ready for anything (v.4).”  It doesn’t just happen by itself.  It takes work, commitment, trust and submission in Christ and the HS to develop these traits in us.

2.      We all lack wisdom at times (v.5); being wise as to knowing what God wants us to do when we face problems can, and should, lead us to a deeper relationship with Him.  How?  (A) One of the ways we face problems is turning to Scripture, but we find that the Bible does not give ______ answers to all the many problems that arise in life, but it does give us general _________ to follow.  The application of those spiritual principles of the Lord’s teaching helps us in our everyday approach to life. When we face problems and lack the wisdom of how to overcome them, ask God in prayer to direct your life and send an answer.  V. 5 says, “It will be given to him.”

3.      God wants believers to be strong in their faith.  What does v. 6 tell you about this?  (A) We must _______ that He loves us and cares, and that _______ is impossible with Him.  God is not honored by the kind of faith described as a wind-tossed sea.  What reaction is there from God to people who act this way?  They should not expect to receive _________ from the Lord (v.7).

4.      VV.9, 10 speak of Christians who are poor and of some who are rich.  What principle can we derive from these verses?  (A) To be ________!  Trials make all believers equally dependent on God and bring them to the same level with each other by keeping them from being __________ with earthly things.  Both have the same privilege of being identified with God.  The rich believer is sometimes brought low by trials.  Is God punishing them for being rich?  No!  These experiences should cause him to rejoice and realize that true happiness and contentment depend on the true riches of God’s ______, not earthly wealth.

5.      V. 12 – Everyone undergoes testing in their life.  V. 12 says, “God blesses the people who patiently endure testing.”  Is James referring to everyone, believer and unbeliever alike?  (A) Within the context of the letter, James is addressing _______ and the idea here is the passive, painful survival of a trial and focuses on the ________ outcome.  Such a person never __________ his saving faith in God; Jesus said in John 14:23, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep my Word (stay strong in the faith) and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make our home in him.”

6.      What is the reward for those who “patiently endure?”  (A) They receive the “crown of life (better translated “the crown which is life”.  The “Crown” was the wreath put on victor’s head after ancient Greek athletic events.  Here, it means the believer’s ________ reward, eternal life, which God has promised to him and will grant in ________ at death or at Christ’s coming.

7.      Vv.13-15 - James uses the same Greek word for temptation that he used for trials.  The idea here is that every difficult circumstance that enters a believer’s life can either _________ him if he _____ God and believes that God will see him thru, or become an invitation to _____ if the believer chooses instead to ______ God and disobey His Word.  God cannot be tempted and never tempts anyone else.  He does at times allow temptation to happen, but He has promised not to allow more than believers can endure and never without a way of escape (1 Cor. 10:13).

8.      What do we learn about the source of our temptation (v.14)?  (A) “Temptation comes from the lure of our own evil desires.”  How so?  (A) Sin comes from within us, from our old, evil, fallen, unregenerate nature.  It is about ______, “the strong desire of the human soul to enjoy or acquire something to fulfill the flesh ” (MacArthur).  It is not just about sex; it is different for each person, as the result of inherited tendencies, environment, upbringing, and personal choices.  These __________ are the direct cause of ones' sinning.

9.      Have you yourself ever said, “God, why did You make me this way?”  God can never do anything ____ and because of His great love for us, even before we were born, chose to make us His children.  His gifts to us can ____ be good and perfect.

10.  What does James mean in v. 19, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry?”  It means that we should be ready to ____ the ______ of God, as well as Godly direction and warning.  We should be ____________ by the Holy Spirit.  When was the last time you wish you had been “quick to listen” and “slow to speak?”  Anger is destructive and only leads us away from the ______ of His love and His Word.  We are called to be holy, not angry.

11.  VV.20-21 – “Your anger can never make things right with God,” – Our anger causes us to move away from the righteous life that God desires.  Consequently, it is important to put away, or ________, all of the moral filth in our lives and all of the evil, and humbly receive the true word of God that comes from that deepest part of us, our ____________, that instinctive sense that helps us know good from evil.  God’s true word also comes to us through the HS, the teaching of Christ, and the teaching of inspired men of God.  We know the right way!

12.  V.22, 23 - This is an admonition to those professing Christians who are content to simply _______ the Word of God, but refuse to make it their central driving force.  We are called to look carefully and cautiously at His Word, unlike those who glance at a mirror and just as quickly forget what they’ve seen.  These are those professing Christians who quickly forget the changes and improvements the Word shows them to make.  The Word should be written on our hearts and __________ –it is that important!

13.  V.25 - “If you keep looking steadily at God’s perfect law…” – Looking steadily in the Greek means to “stoop down” in order to have a good look at the good and perfect law God gives us to obey.  We have seen the NT writers say that the law is dead (Rom. 10:4) because of what Christ has done.  How does this verse reconcile with this teaching?  (A) We must not ________ God’s given law.  It was meant to show us the ___________ of sin and ____ inability to make it the redeemer of our souls.  Only the Messiah is worthy and capable to do that; yet, God’s law is given and revealed by God.  It is the way of life we see Jesus living, all according to God’s ______ and purpose.  It is perfect because it can’t be bettered.  Jesus left us with one Commandment –the law of love.

14.              V.26 –We often say that as Born Again Believers, we don’t follow a religion, but we have a personal ___________ with Christ.  Here James is referring to a public ceremonial worship, instead of the ________ godliness we follow.  The readers of the letter are not capable of following the precepts of the law and its ceremonial trappings and rituals, at least not sincerely.  Often we reveal our sinful nature when we do not control what comes out of our mouths.  A sorry example of this is my own failure to control my tongue during more than one Bible study as others refused to even try to understand God’s word and I lashed out with, “That’s the stupidest thing I’ve ever heard!”  To say the least, it severed our friendship and weakened my witness.

Chapter 2 – A Warning Against Prejudice

In light of what we read in v. 1 of this chapter, we find it amazing the extent to which the church was guilty in its support of slavery in this country for much of its history.  They chose to ignore the statement, “How can you claim that you have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people more than others?”  Paul often admonishes us that we are all equal in God’s eyes and Christ certainly taught that we must love all men equally.

1.      Again, we find a poor translation of the original language in v.1.  The NLT reads, “How can you claim that you have faith in our Glorious Lord Jesus Christ…” while other versions of Scripture read, “My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ…” There is a difference, although both have meaning and importance.  “The faith of our Lord Jesus” refers not to the act of believing, but to the entire Christian _____ (Jude 3), which has its central focus on Jesus Christ.  In both the Old and New Testaments, God spoke out against partiality and snobbery.  It is inconsistent with our Christian faith.  Jesus was never One to show undo respect to someone because of his or her social status or financial wealth.  In fact, He spoke out against the rich because of their tendency to put their wealth before their God.  The point James is making is that we are to treat all men ______, with respect and reverence, and not to be _________ with evil thoughts.

2.      IN Vv. 5-9, James gives four reasons why it is wrong for a believer to favor the rich and look down on the poor.

q       We ________ the man God honors- God has chosen the poor people to be rich in faith and they are the “ones who are to inherit the kingdom of God promised to those who love Him.” - (see 1 Cor. 1:26-29).  This does not exclude rich people from heaven; it simply implies that the rich are too often absorbed and content with _________ riches.

q       The second reason why we are not to look down on the poor and show undue preference to the rich is that the rich are the ones who characteristically ________ God’s people and drag them into court (v.6b).

q       The third reason – They habitually _________ Christ’s holy name (v.7).

q       The fourth reason (v.8) – paying special attention to the rich violates the _____________ –“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”  Who is our neighbor?  Any person who has a ________ we can meet.

3.      James makes his final point in this argument- to break one part of the law is to be _____ of all.  Just one sin makes fulfilling the law’s most basic command- to love God perfectly and to love one’s neighbor as oneself- impossible.

4.      What is v. 13 saying about God’s mercy?  (A) A person who shows no mercy and compassion for people in need demonstrates that he has never ___________ to the great mercy of God, and as an _____________ person will receive only strict, unrelieved judgment in eternal hell (Matt. 5:7).

5.      What kind of faith is condemned in v. 14-26?  (A) The verses condemn the kind of false faith that produces no good __________.  These verses have caused great controversy in the church, some teaching that James is contradicting Paul’s teaching of Justification by faith alone and teaching that one can be saved by faith plus good works.  In other words, we must trust the Lord Jesus, but that is not enough.  We must also ____ to His redemptive work our own attempts to live the Christian life.  James asks what kind of faith do you have if you don’t _______ by what you do.  He clearly agrees that salvation is a gracious gift from God (1:17,18 and cross reference Eph. 2:8-9).  He is saying here that there is a kind of faith that is ____ and does not save.  The correct reading of v. 14 is crucial –James does not say that this person actually has faith, but that he _____ to have faith (“saying you have faith.”  This kind of faith is worthless because it is _______ and _______.  A person cannot be saved by a faith claimed without any evidence given of it.  I’m reminded of someone who was baptized and assured the Baptizer that “Jesus was his Lord,” but almost immediately resumed his habit of coming to church once in a very great while, evidencing no filling of the Spirit and no spiritual gifts.  Saving faith cannot be a mere _________ exercise with no __________ attached.

6.      Vv.15, 16 give an example of faith without works.  Merely acknowledging a brother or sister in need and asking God’s blessing on them is not what a believer is called to do.  Like the Good Samaritan, he is called to ____ his brother in need.  His professed compassion without action is phony, an empty profession of faith.

7.      True faith and good works are inseparable.  James uses the form of a debate to prove this.  The first man, genuinely saved, is the speaker.  The second professes to have faith, but he does not demonstrate his faith by good works.  The first challenges the other- “Yes,” the first man says, “You say you have faith, but you do not have works to ________ it.  I claim that faith must be backed up by a life of good works.  Prove to me that you have faith _________ a life of good works.  You can’t do it.  Faith is invisible.  The only way others can know you have faith is by a life that demonstrates it.  I will show you my faith by my good works.”

8.      James gives the example of Abraham proving that he had faith in God by offering Isaac on the altar.  He didn’t talk about his faith; he ____ it out in his life.  The act of faith whereby God declared Abraham righteous by his faith alone took place many years ______ the sacrifice of Isaac (Gen. 12:1-7; 15:6).  Abraham’s offering of Isaac demonstrated the _________ of his faith and the reality of his justification before God.  The argument many people give is “You only have to believe to be saved.”  What is your definition of believing?  In what?  Yes, in Christ, but that must also include what He teaches and commands, and by extension, what the rest of Scripture teaches if indeed it is God’s inspired Word.

Chapter 3- Controlling the Tongue

1.      Why does James warn that not many should become teachers?  (A) We must always remember the context of what we are reading.  This letter is the very first letter written as instruction to new believers, most of whom were formerly Jews.  Apostles, their apprentices, and prophets were the ones who converted the people to Christianity.  They were itinerant, traveling from place to place, and establishing new communities of believers.  It was most important to them that the new believers receive good __________ in the facts of the Christian gospel so the faith could be spread.  False teachers, of whom there where many, hindered the growth of the faith.  James is warning those who would ________ the gospel of Jesus Christ that their judgment would be severe.

2.      In vv.2-8, James gives five figures of speech describing the tongue.  What do the examples of the bit, the rudder, and the fire teach about the importance of watching what we have to say?  (A) Each example refers to a very _______ and seemingly, insignificant object that greatly _________ other, larger things associated with it.  The small bit _______ a very large horse; a comparatively small rudder is capable of ______ the largest ship; and a spark, which leads to a _________, which in turn can cause great damage and even loss of life.  The smoke caused by the fire can in itself do much damage.  A person’s tongue is quite small, but the tiniest slip of the tongue can caused irrevocable damage.  Once the word escapes the moth, there is no reeling it back in.  Conversely, the tongue is a valuable _______ we can use to teach, to comfort, to exhort, to preach, and is capable for an endless variety of good uses.

3.      V.6 compare the tongue to “a flame of fire, full of wickedness that can ruin your whole life.  It can turn the entire course of your life into a blazing flame of destruction, for it is set on fire by hell itself.”  Discuss this verse among you.  How can it “turn your entire course of life?”  How is it “set on fire by hell itself?” (A) First, it is so ___________.  It can damage at a great distance.  A word uttered in contempt or slander on the East coast can cause life-long damage to the person it is directed toward on the West coast.  It is ____________.  Once said, it is not returnable and is never forgotten.  A word uttered without self-control can cause damage that can alter the very course of one’s life on both accounts.  When James says “hell sets it on fire” he refers not just to the place, but also to the ____________ that live there.  They use the tongue as a source of evil.

4.      In light of v. 8, what hope do we have of controlling our tongue?  (A) Man can train animals to do his bidding, but he cannot control his own tongue, not in and of himself.  Only with ________ constant help can we begin to have mastery over it.  God can do more than man can ever dream possible.

5.      Vv. 10-12 - It is amazing that out of the same mouth come praises for God and the worst and foulest kind of cursing.  It _______ people and then wishes _____ on people who are made in God’s image, His children.  The tongue that blesses God should help men instead of wounding them.  We need to ask God to set watch before our lips (Ps.141: 3), and pray that the “words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts might be acceptable to Him who is our Strength and Redeemer (Ps. 19:14).”

6.      Vv. 13-18 – James turns from teachers and the tongue to dealing with wisdom’s impact on everyone’s life.  His thought is along the lines of OT wisdom, that wisdom is divided into two domains, man’s and God’s.  When he speaks of wisdom, he is not thinking about how much knowledge a man has, but how he ____ his life from day to day.  Having knowledge and using it wisely are two entirely different things.  A man may read the Bible, go to church, attend Bible classes, earn a degree, but if he never has more than head knowledge of the Savior without ___________ to Him in faith, it means nothing.  He is lost!

7.      V.13 is a great illustration of the good works James call us to.  How so?  (A) He says that if one is wise and understands God’s ways (which should describe all believers), then live a life of steady ___________.  Why?  So, that only ______ deeds will pour out of us.  This is the good work that results from the salvation experience and is the kind of work that comes only from God.

8.      James offers the other side of the coin.  If you do things with “bitter envy” (having a harsh, ________ attitude toward others) and suffer from the kind of __________ ambition that causes animosity and the breaking down instead of building up of God’s people, then that kind of “wisdom” is not from above and is motivated by the devil (vv.13-16).

9.      Reading from vv. 17,18, describe God’s brand of wisdom.  (A) It is _____ in thought, word, and deed.  It is clean and right in spirit and body, in doctrine and in practice, and in faith and morals.  It is __________ –a wise man will do what he can to maintain peace without sacrificing purity.  True wisdom is ______ at all times.  He/she is not sarcastic or rude, is _________ not crude, is ________ and _______ not demanding and overbearing.  He/she is __ jealous and selfish, the very attributes that define man’s brand of wisdom and lead to disorder and all kinds of evil.  He/she is willing to _________ to others and is _________ and willing ________ to God’s code of morality.  He/she is full of ______ for those who suffer pain and hardship and has the ability and desire to forgive quickly.  He/she shows no partiality and is a _________, unwavering person who is undivided in his/her commitment and convictions.  He/she is a __________ who constantly plants the seed of peace and therefore reaps a harvest of goodness.

Chapter 4 –Drawing Close To God

James ended the last chapter with a description of a peace loving person.  Now he is reminded of the wars and fights that often exists among God’s people.  Why do the same things afflict the Christian community that exists in the world?  It is because we are constantly trying to satisfy our lust for pleasures and possessions, and to outdo others.

1.      In light of these struggles, why do people not ask God to help (v.20)?  (A) True joy, peace, happiness, meaning, hope, and fulfillment in life come only from God.  Unbelievers, however, are ________ to ask for them on ____ terms –they refuse to submit to God or acknowledge their dependence on Him.  Even when they do ask, they don’t receive because their motive is wrong, seeking only their won pleasure.

2.      Why does James call these people adulterers when there is no indication of this sin occurring (v.4)?  (A) It is a metaphor for ___________ unfaithfulness.  They would have understood it as Jews because the OT often describes unfaithful Israel as a spiritual harlot.  James has in mind ________ Christians, outwardly associated with the church, but holding on tightly with desire for the evil world system that man and Satan have built for themselves.  The result?  They are _________ of God.

3.      V. 5 is the most difficult verse in the epistle to translate.  The debate centers on whom is the “spirit” spoken of here.  The NKJV and our NLT take it to mean the Holy Spirit while others view it as the spirit that God has set in us, our human spirit, that longs with jealousy.  His point seems to be that the ___________ spirit (the inner man) is bent on evil and dwells on it constantly.

4.      V. 6 gives us some hope.  What is the hope?  (A) The only hope in man’s spiritual darkness is the sovereign _____ of God, which alone can rescue man from the lust for evil things.  God gives “more grace,” more than the power of sin, the flesh, the world, and Satan combined – it is endless.  But His grace is only for those that come to Him ___________, in submission and repentance.

5.      In vv. 4-10, James gives ten commands on how to receive saving grace.  They show man’s response to God’s gracious offer of salvation.  Describe the ten.  (A) _______ yourselves before God.  _______ the devil and he will flee from you.  Draw ______ to God, and God will draw close to you.  ____ your hands and ______ your hearts (symbolic for recognizing and confessing their sin).  _______ tears for the wrong you’ve done –be _____ over your sins.  Let your heart be truly _______ for your sins and _______ over them with brokenness.  Let there be _______ rather than silly and empty laughter.  Finally, we should be _________ before the Lord.  True humility eventually brings honor.

6.      We are not to speak evil toward a brother/sister (v.11).  Someone has suggested that there are three questions we should answer before criticizing others- what good does it do your ________?  What good does it do _______?  What glory for ________ is in it?

7.      In what sense is “…then you are criticizing and condemning God’s law (v.11.b)?”  (A) The royal law of love says that we should love our neighbor as ourselves.  To speak evil against a brother, or to judge his motives, is the same as speaking out against this law, and saying it is ________.  When one speaks evil of another, it puts that person in the position of being a ______ and ________ to the law.  But only God is superior to the law.  He is the One who gave it and the One who judges by it.

8.      The next sin James addresses is self-confident, boastful ________ without _________ on God.  The picture he describes is of a businessman who makes careful plans for a venture down to the last details, even to the amount of profit.  One problem –he never takes ____ into his business.  This is not to say that we should make no plans for our future, but not in self-will – that is sin.  It is the all too familiar cry of this era, the “I will” call to total independence from anyone or anything, including God.  We see it throughout history, all the way back to Cain and Able and we see it of the devil in Isaiah 14:13,14: “For you have said in your heart: “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation; I will be like the Most High.” 

9.      The point is that it is wrong to plan as if tomorrow were ________.  We don’t know what tomorrow holds, only God does.  Our plans should always center on “If the ______________ us to, we will live and do this or that (v.15).”

10.  V.17 –It is good to take God into every aspect of our lives, to live in moment-by-moment dependence on Him.  If we ______ we are to do this and _____ to do it, we are clearly sinning.  How do you make your plans?

Chapter 5- Warning to the Rich

James lashes out at the rich, condemning them not for being wealthy, but for misusing their resources.  Perhaps the sorry conditions in which the believers in Jerusalem lived in Jerusalem caused him to be so specific in his condemnation.  Yet the moral climate hasn’t changed; the rich rule mercilessly and the poor bear the brunt of their excesses.  These wealthy ones were far different from the ones seen in 1 Tim. 6:17,19).  These are the wicked wealthy who profess Christian faith and have associated themselves with the church, but whose real God is money.

1.      What warning does he give to the rich he addresses?  (A)  They will “weep and groan with anguish because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you (v.1).” what are the terrible troubles he refers to?  (A)  Soon these rich abusers would meet God.  First he point out the foolishness of  accumulating expensive clothes and money –all of which will decay and rot away.  Because of their failure to use their riches for the good of others, they would suffer the consequences at the end time, when all of it would be useless to save them, even for a second.

2.      The second sin James attacks is acquiring wealth by failure to pay proper wages.  The laborers who were cheated out of their money cried out, but none heard except the Lord Almighty (the Lord of Sabaoth, the Commander of the armies of heaven (angels).  Scripture teaches that angels will be involved in the judgment of unbelievers (Matt. 13:39-41; 16:27; 25:31; 2 Thess. 1:7,8).  This sin covers anything to do with gaining wealth illegally or immorally.

3.      James next condemns the luxurious living of the rich.  Are they not entitles to these things they have earned?  (A) Yes, if they have earned it honestly and have shared that wealth abundantly with those in desperate need.  Those who abuse their wealth selfishly are like animals fattened for the slaughter (v.5).  The price they pay will be eternal condemnation in the fires of hell.

4.      So, what are believers to do, given all of these problems?  (A) V.7 –Be patient  with people, not trials and circumstances, and wait for the Lord’s return..  Specifically, James has in mind patience with the oppressive rich.  Like farmers patiently waiting for the rains that water his crops, believers are to patiently endure with courage their mistreatment and wait for the glory that is theirs at the Second Coming.

5.      What is v. 9 saying about God judging you?  What do you stand to lose if He judges you for  “grumbling about each other (v.9)?”  You will NOT lose your salvation, but you will lose rewards.  God judges all we do and puts it all on the balances of His justice.  The good will be rewarded, the bad will be burned up and rewards lost.

6.      Believers who under go trials and persecution should look to Job and see the outcome God has planned.  What is the outcome?  (A) V.11 – “We see how the Lord’s plan ended in good, for He is full of tenderness and mercy.”

7.      V. 12 – “But most of all, never take an oath...just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned by it.”  A person’s speech is the most revealing look at his spiritual condition.  The Jews would take oaths and swear by anything but the name of God, which alone was considered binding.

8.      Vv.14-20 highlight the power of prayer in the believers life.  The verses must be taken within the context in which they are written.  So, step by step, let us look at these last few verses:

q       Who are “the suffering (v.13)?”  (A) Those suffering because of evil treatment or persecution.  What should they do?  Keep praying and singing praises to God.  He is still in charge and knows your needs.

q       The sick are to call the elders.  (A) The sick who are weakened by their suffering are to call the elders of the church for strength, support, and prayer.

q       The elders are to pray over them and anoint them with oil.  (A) See Mark 6:13 – This refers to olive oil which was used as medicine in that day.  But here it represents the power and presence of the Holy Spirit and was used symbolically in relation to supernatural healing (Matt. 25:2-4; Is. 11:2; Zech. 4:1-6).,  The early church had a great history of supernatural healing, called unction and stressed the gift of healing.  But we must be careful here (v.15) because we know from the totality of Scripture that many were not healed, among them Paul himself.  God’s sovereign will is in place.  He is the One who heals and will heal whom He will heal.  Our job is to believe and pray for healing and believe that God is in control.

q       V. 16 –Does this mean that we are to tell others of our deepest and darkest sins?  James means that when we sin against someone else, we should hurry to confess this sin to the person we wronged.  Also, we should pray for one another.  Instead of holding grudges and allowing resentments to build up, we should stay in fellowship with one another through confession and prayer.  Those prayers have the power to accomplish much.  Sickness is often caused by sin –the stress, the guilt, abuse, etc. are causes.  Confession of those sins and repenting from them often leads to healing, both physical and spiritual.

q       V. 16b- “The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results.”  The prayer of a man whose heart is right with God works wonders.  God hears and answers those prayers.

• V.19- Is James talking about believers here?  (A) He is talking about the professing believers who have strayed from the truth they once confessed.  These people are in great danger and the church must call them back to the true faith.  V. 20 –“Save that sinner” – not sinning, true believers (we all sin), but those with dead faith.  Those who wander doctrinally will also lead a visibly sinful lifestyle, not one lived by biblical principles.  These put their soul in danger, “from death” meaning eternal separation from God and punishment in the fires of hell.