Real Faith Works Under Pressure

By Pastor Bill

I recognize that over the months, for most of us, we clean forget the meals that we’ve eaten. But that’s not to deny the part they play in feeding, nourishing, and sustaining us. And the Bible’s nutrient rich teaching plays a similar role at the spiritual level. So, on the heels of our recent sermon series, perhaps its useful to review our diet from the “James 5” menu in order to once again savour and taste every word that proceeded from the mouth of God. Real faith works, even and especially under pressure.  

James 5 (NIV)

5:1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on you.

Let the ungodly rich (those who’s net worth is their self worth) be forewarned, because they are destined for anguish at the day of reckoning, God’s final judgement.

5:2-3 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes. ³ Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You have hoarded wealth in the last days.

Beware: the condemnation of those intoxicated with wealth (the ungodly rich) is because of selfish hoarding – even the best of riches, money, and possessions are impermanent and cannot ultimately save you on the Last Day.  

5:4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

Be doubly aware: the ungodly rich are destined for Judgment Day because God knows they exploit their workers by withholding payment and victimizing the poor.

5:5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.

Be triply aware: the ungodly rich are doomed because instead of putting their money to good use they live in soft luxury fattening themselves up for their Judgment Day slaughter.

5:6 You have condemned and murdered the innocent one, who was not opposing you.

Be quadruply aware: The ungodly rich will be judged because of their economic oppression of the innocent poor, which form of social injustice using the court system is heartlessly exploitative.

5:7a Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. 

Overcome the temptation to be earthbound in spiritual short-sightedness, by patiently awaiting the basis of your Christian hope – the Second Coming of Jesus Christ (Don’t sweat the details when the big picture is golden).  

5:7b-8 See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. ⁸ You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 

Keep your eyes on God’s endgame; persevere and establish your heart firmly in the reward of your hope in Christ’s return, just like a farmer who works in view of his valuable crop, then waits and watches for the soon coming rain.

5:9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

Don’t look over the fence at your neighbour and impatiently grumble; instead, look at the door behind which stands Judge Jesus about to come through (There’s no time to lose; live today as though he was coming tomorrow).    

5:10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 

(Despite our culture’s unbiblical absolutes like prosperity, safety, and comfort) let your faith work itself out by persevering in suffering just like the examples of Old Testament prophets who kept speaking for the Lord in the face of adversity even life-threatening opposition.

5:11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Follow the example of Job who was blessed for his perseverance through suffering (Job 42:12) knowing that although suffering may be terribly painful it blesses you with spiritual strength and maturity proving that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

5:12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will be condemned.

One way to survive under pressure (especially in our culture of fake news and alternative facts) is to never cave into making false promises or dogmatic oaths designed to justify your deceit and dishonesty; instead, be radically truthful and avoid condemnation.  

5:13a Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. 

When under pressure facing trouble, bring heaven to a standstill with your first impulse: prayer.

5:13b Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.

When under pressure and feeling fine, even cheerful, let it be a springboard for singing God’s praise!

5:14 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.

When under pressure and feeling very sick, express your faith by initiating prayer from the church, especially from the Elders/Pastors, so they may pray for your healing after consecrating you for God’s blessing by His Spirit invoking Jesus’ name, not superstitiously, but recognizing that all authority and credit for any healing will be attributed to him.

5:15a And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up.

Faithful prayer for the sick will restore them to health from their sick bed (as God wills), which will be the Lord’s doing.

5:15b If they have sinned, they will be forgiven.

In the case of sin-generated sickness, be assured that (upon genuine confession of sin), God’s forgiveness will be granted.

5:16a Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.

So, it stands to reason that before mutual prayer for healing, invite accountability by practicing the discipline of inter-relational confession of sin.  

5:16b The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

Before praying for someone’s healing ensure that you’re “on praying ground,” that is, you’re forgiven and blameless, so that you do not obstruct wonderful results from the hand of God – righteous praying can do anything God can do.

5:17-18 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. ¹⁸ Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

The power of prayer is definitely within your grasp as a believer because “super star” Elijah was in the last analysis just an ordinary guy like us who learned that heartfelt prayer can transcend human capacity because it’s as powerful as God is omnipotent.

5:19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back,

When under pressure, if you see another brother or sister wandering from a life of truth into disobedience, don’t escape your responsibility; instead, actively reach out to bring them back.

5:20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Rescue the wanderer! If you help turn the backslider around, there are two stunning outcomes: the repentant backslider is rescued from no less than eternal death, and all of his or her numerous sins are completely forgiven – the out-gushing ocean of God’s mercy is greater than all my sins.  

Real faith works.
To God be the glory.