It amazes me how unique, yet at the same time, similar, we all are. We all have individual thoughts and points of view, but we’re similar in nature. We all want a joyful, comfortable, meaningful life. In the Bible, we see many people who seem to be special, extraordinary. Elijah was one of them, yet James says we aren’t all that different.
Elijah
16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.
18 Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.
As a reminder, Elijah was an Old Testament prophet who faced an evil king and queen of Israel. God told him to go to this wicked king, Ahab, and tell him that it wouldn’t rain on the land, and they wouldn’t even have any dew, until Elijah said so (of course through the word of God).
Humility
Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
First, James tells us to confess our sins to each other. Pride will block the power of God in our lives as much as anything else. God wants us to be humble, so that we can hear His voice and be willing to follow His calling in our lives. We are told here to confess to each other, not just to a priest. We all have an obligation to each other to help each other and hold each other to account. Look what he says a few verses later.
Restoration
19 Brethren, if any man among you errs from the truth, and any man brings him back,
20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.
God puts us in places to help each other, encourage each other, and hold each other accountable. Yes, we are our brother’s keeper. I need you, and you need me.
We are responsible for each other.
Effective Prayer
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.
Next, James tells us about the power of prayer. It’s not just the act of praying, and it’s not just from anyone in any situation.
Righteous
very strong is a working supplication of a righteous man;
This is from Young’s Literal Translation. Yes, there is a God, and He hears our prayers, when we pray with a sincere, humble heart. If we pray, but we have no intention of turning away from our evil ways, God says that He will hide His face from us.
No Answer
It’s true that God is long-suffering and His love is unlimited. At the same time, He knows our hearts and He will not be fooled by us. He is a loving, merciful God Who created and believes in justice.
No More Tears
17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.
But James says that Elijah had a nature like ours. No, he wasn’t perfect, but he was humble and loved the Lord. He was willing to stand up for what was right even when he believed that there was no one else left in the entire country who was willing to stand with him. That takes courage.
Are we willing to do what is right, even when everyone around us disagrees? God is right, the Bible is right, in spite of what some people may say. Because of that, I am willing to stand up for what is right, the truth.
That is not hate; it is love.
Wanting something to be true doesn’t make it true. I might want to be 7 feet tall, but that doesn’t mean I am 7 feet tall. Are we willing to love enough to tell people the truth, even if they don’t want to hear it? If we do, we will see miracles and God’s work marching on.
God is looking for people who will stand up boldly, humbly, and speak the truth – God’s truth – to a lost and dying world. Let’s be those people.
God, help us to have a
bold, loving, holy, godly nature.
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