BELIEVERS UNDER TRIAL SHOULD PATIENTLY
PERSEVERE AND PRAY
James 5:7-20
As taught by Dave Lindstrom
I. Believers under trial should patiently persevere (James 5:7-11).
A. The Greek word for patience is “makrothymesate” which means to be long- suffering. As believers we are encouraged (commanded) to take the long view concerning the things we experience and suffer in this world (James 5:7,8).
1. The people around the Mediterranean Sea had their rainy seasons in the late autumn (after planting) early spring (before harvest). The farmers patiently planted and patiently cared for their crops relying totally on the predictability of these rains (James 5:7b).
2. As believers we are planting the things of our lives and making Christ-honoring choices because of our hope of Christ’s return (James 5:8).
3. The coming (“parousia”) of Christ will involve the rapture (catching-up) of the believers and the start of the Millennial reign (1,000 years) of Christ on this earth. Before this time begins, believers will come before the Bema or Judgment-seat of Christ where He examines our lives in this mortal body for the purpose of our reward as co-heirs with Him (I Thes. 4:13-18; 2 Thes. 2:1; Matt. 24:27-31; 2 Cor. 5:10; Rom. 14:10-12; Matt. 25:31-34; Rom. 8:17; I Cor. 3:5-15; Rev. 19:6 - 20:6).
B. Believers under pressure and trials need to rely on the Lord rather than grumbling (to groan or sigh) against each other (James 5:9).
C. As examples of patiently persevering believers we should think of the Old Testament prophets (i.e. David, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel) and Job. We need to remember that, “Yahweh blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first (Job 42:12; James 5:10,11).
II. Believers under trial should pray (James 5:12-20).
A. Believers under pressure and trial need to be completely honest rather than trying to out-maneuver their situation before other peoples eyes by taking oaths (James 5:12).
1. Our Lord Jesus and the Apostle Paul expounded on this subject as well (Matt. 5:33-37; Matt. 7:6-13 is a similar idea; 2 Cor. 1:17-21). The main issue that is taught is honesty and integrity in the speech of believers in their daily lives and their prayer lives.
2. Taking an oath in the name of Yahweh or God does not seem to be prohibited but should not be taken lightly or done rashly (Lev. 19:2; Psalms 24:4; Isaiah 45:23; I Thes. 2:5).
B. The believer who is under the trial should pray and can ask the church for their prayers as well (James 5:13-20).
1. Sufferers should pray and cheerful people should sing praises (James 5:13).
2. Weak and sickly sufferers can receive extra help from the prayers of their local congregation (James 5:14-20).
a. This kind of suffering Christian can ask their elders of the church (I Tim. 3:1) for special prayer using anointing oil which symbolizes the power of the Holy Spirit (James 5:14; I Sam. 10:1; 16:13; I Kings 1:34).
b. Not all sickness is the result of a persons sin (John 9:1-3) but some of it is (Matt. 9:2; I Cor. 11:30). The sickly believer should be willing to examine himself/herself, confess any sin, and humble himself/herself before the Lord. If the believer is sick because of sin, he/she will be forgiven and their body healed through this prayer of faith (James 5:15-18; I John 5:16,17).
c. As believers walk with Christ, they are given the privilege and awesome responsibility to help their fellow believers walk in the truth and therefore avoid extra destructive ramifications for them (James 5:19,20; I John 5:14-17).
