[:en]SCRIPTURE: JAMES 5
“Be paitent and stnad firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. Don’t grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The judge is standing at the door!” (James 5:8-9)
“Above all, my brothers, do not swear – not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “yes” be yes, and your “no” , no, or you will be condemned” (James 5:12)
“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he 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 man is powerful and effective” (James 5:15-16)
“My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins” (James 5:19-20)
WARNINGS TO RICH OPPRESSORS: ( vs. 7-12)
The sins of the rich are: hoarding, stealing wages, extravagant living and injustice. They took advantage of their power to abuse and kill the poor. They amassed wealth, garments, gold and silver, only to have it rotted, eaten and rusted. They heaped up treasures only to be judged on the “last day”. They held back wages of the poor with the cries of workers against them. They lived a life of luxury and self-indulgence, spending money that was not rightfully theirs.
PATIENCE IN SUFFERING (vs. 7-12)
James encouraged the brothers to endure and fight the battle until the Lord’s coming. He cited examples of a farmer who patiently waited for the harvest. He told them not to grumble against each other for the Judge is standing at the door. He spoke of Job’s perseverance and how God had blessed him at the end. James told them to avoid swearing. Instead, they should speak honestly and keep their words.
THE PRAYER OF FAITH (vs. 13-20)
Anyone who has trouble should pray. Anyone who is happy should sing song of praise. Anyone who is sick should call the elders of the church to pray over hm and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. James used Elijah as an example of the power of prayer. With Elijah’s dedication and faith, the heavens gave rain and the earth produced its crops. Lastly, he reminded believers to bring back brothers who have wandered away form the truth.
LESSON:
As we await the return of Christ, let us examine ourselves if we have committed the sins of the rich. Let us keep our words and fulfill our promise. Let us ask God to give us grace necessary to endure tirals. Let us confess our sins to each other and and pray for each other so that our sickness will be healed. For the prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Lastly, let us bring back strayed believers and restore them in love.[:]