JAMES 5:16 – WHAT IT REALLY MEANS I am continually astounded by the number of ministers that do not have a proper understanding of this passage: Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16 NIV) I have heard so many pastors and teachers (who have, otherwise, quite good understanding of our Fathers Word and his principles) emphatically teach that this means what people generally understand it to say: that believers should confess their sins to one another. Hey, Bill, Ive got to tell ya – I lied to the boss this week. Actually, twice. Oh, and I keep having impure thoughts about that new saleswoman at the office. Boy, I sure do feel better about it all. Maybe now I can finally be healed! Really? I find this to be a totally ludicrous position. For one, if sin has been dealt with and taken away by what Jesus did through the cross and resurrection, and the Mosaic Law doesnt apply to ANY believer under any circumstances... Well, then, just what would someone be confessing to their fellow believers? Why do so many grace teachers and believers think that we are supposed to confess transgressions to one another, and not even to God? Its completely nonsensical. Lets look back a bit in this passage, for better context: Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. 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. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:13-16 NIV) If they have sinned, they will be forgiven? WILL BE forgiven? This particular sentence should be a major clue that this passage is not referring to what most people think it says. NO ONE who has proper Biblical understanding thinks there is anything about forgiveness from God that involves a WILL BE! The entire passage, from the verse where I began the larger context, shows this to be speaking in regard to interpersonal relationships, and receiving answers to prayer. The concept this passage is actually conveying is such: Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, FORGIVE THEM...” (Mark 11:24-25 NIV) Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13 NIV) Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. (1 John 4:11 NIV) Because heres the bottom line: Dear friends, IF OUR HEARTS DO NOT CONDEMN US, we have confidence before God and receive from him ANYTHING we ask, because we keep his commands and do what pleases him. And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. (1 John 3:21-23 NIV) A person who does not walk in forgiveness with their brothers and sisters will have an EXTREMELY difficult time receiving answers to prayer. PERIOD. And this is why James advises you to work things out between yourselves – so that the prayers of you, the righteous person who doesnt stand SELF-condemned, will see your prayers be powerful and effective! Live a life of forgiveness, and never hold anything against anyone – because love forgives and never takes offense! - Pastor Brad Word of Faith Family Church, Dallas B. W. Tozier Ministries
Posted on: Thu, 25 Sep 2014 16:33:06 +0000
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