Instruction For
Sick Believers
James 5:14-15
The Word of God gives
us the instruction and help we need in every circumstance of life. It tells us
how to behave as believers for the glory of our God. James tells the afflicted
to pray and the merry to sing. But what about the sick?
What are they to do? How can we honor our God in our sickness? James tells us.
"IS ANY SICK AMONG
YOU?" Faithful, believing men and women are not immune to bodily disease.
The sickness James has in mind is not some general, bodily ailment. That is
mentioned in verse 13. This is a desperate illness, sickness at the point of
death. The fact is, God's saints in this world do get sick and die. Our
sicknesses come by the will of God. And they are ordained for our spiritual,
eternal good (Rom.
"LET HIM CALL FOR
THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH." The one who is sick is to call, or ask, for the
elders of the church. It is not a vain, or
superstitious thing for believers to call upon their spiritual guides in times
of trouble and sickness. God's servants are not priests, or even apostles. But
they are guides, men to guide you to Christ for comfort and strength.
"AND LET THEM PRAY
OVER HIM, ANOINTING HIM WITH OIL." The elders are to both pray for and
anoint the sick one. The oil has no magical power. But it is a biblical symbol
of the Holy Spirit. This prayer and anointing is to be done "IN THE NAME
OF THE LORD." That does not mean a mere repetition of the Savior's name.
To pray in the name of Christ is to pray trusting his name, submitting to his
will, trusting the authority of his name, and seeking the glory of his name.
"AND THE PRAYER OF
FAITH SHALL SAVE THE SICK." Obviously, not all for whom believers pray are
healed of their bodily diseases. There are none today with apostolic gifts of
healing. What do these words mean? Certainly, they have reference to physical
healing. God often answers our prayers and heals the bodies of our sick
brethren. But more importantly, God answers our prayers and the prayers of our
sick brothers and sisters by making them completely well, raising them up from
the bed of sickness to their home in heaven!
Don Fortner