This Sunday we continue our study of the Epistle of James.

As many of you have noticed, James is a very practical book. Rather than offering deep theological thoughts, James invites us to live out our faith in very simple and practical ways. James teaches us that it is a good thing to control our tongue, because it can be a very dangerous weapon.

James also teaches us to focus on wisdom, which is humility and a desire for peace, even at the cost of paying the price.

In today's text, James helps us understand things that are often misunderstood. In order to get a grasp of what James is trying to say, we need to start from the end.

James writes, “19 My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, 20 you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.”

Some of James' readers had wandered from the truth, which means they had some serious misconceptions regarding the nature of God and the Christian life. And the reason why he is writing is to bring back to the truth those who have wandered.  His goal is not to criticize and humiliate those who have wandered by pointing out to their mistakes. His goal is to cover “multitudes of sin” by pointing out the truth.

Similarly, in this sermon I will try to address some common misunderstandings about the Christian life. And this is not to rebuke or humiliate those who believe incorrectly, but to help them walk in the light by pointing out what I think the Gospel says. Like James, my job consists of leading, encouraging, and correcting. At the same time, being an elder, my job is also praying for you and I want to have a special time of prayer and anoint the sick with oil, that the Lord may heal them.

The text we read begins with a statement we need to analyze closely. “ 13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises.”

The apostle James is writing his letter sometime around the year 50 AD. The Church at that point was about 20 years old and active persecution had not yet begun. This does not mean, however, that our Christian brothers and sisters of that time did not have problems. Much the opposite. Believers were under a great deal of pressure as there was a great deal of economic discrimination and oppression.

Mostly because of gross misunderstanding and ignorance, Christians back then were accused of all sorts of strange things. For instance, since they talked about "partaking of the Lord's body" , people  assumed there was cannibalism going on behind closed doors. Or, since they called each other "brother" and "sister" and professed love for one another, Christians were accused of incest and immoral behavior.

But this is small thing compared to other, more complex accusations.  For instance, Christians were ridiculed by the pagans because so many of their number were poor. Their god was not all that good, the pagans figured, if he didn't care that they were poor. They were accused of atheism because they did not worship pagan gods and insisted their God was invisible. They were accused of having started a new religion that did not have an ancient tradition. They were accused of lack of patriotism, because they refused to kill and thus refused to join the army. And they were accused of  causing disasters - because the Christians would not honor the Roman religions and gods, when flood, famine, or disaster came, it was assumed that the Christians were the cause.

So, as you have probably understood, being a believer at the time of James was not necessarily easy. There was a lot of pressure from the outside world, and James saw the risk that this pressure and these misunderstandings could cause some to be led astray. When everyone around you keeps saying, “I do not think your God cares about you”, or “I do not think your God is strong enough to help you”, or “I think you are wasting your time trying to be faithful to God”, there is a serious risk that eventually you may start stumbling under the weight of these thoughts, especially when things in your life seems to be tough.

Similarly, it may be that some of you are having a really difficult time these days, and all you hear is people around you saying. “I don't really think your God cares,” or “I don't think God can help you,” or “I have been telling you all along that this going to church is useless and now the circumstances are proving me right.” It could also be that some of you have read a Christian book, or heard some preacher or have heard Christians friends say “Christians should not suffer. If you are suffering it means that there is something wrong with you.” And this idea is causing you a lot of distress.

Well, James wants to help you, and I want to help you. First of all – the idea that if something bad happens to you it means that you are a bad Christian is a lie that unfortunately many Christians believe. Unfortunately you will find many books written by well-known preachers who will try to convince you that the bad things that happen in your life are your fault and the result of your weak faith. Well – that's a lie. It is certainly true that at times we make bad choices and then we suffer because of those choices. But it is not true that behind every negative event in our live there lies some sin that we have committed and for which we are being punished. Do not believe that – it's a lie.

James does not say to us, “Is any of you suffering? It's your fault! Suck it up!” James says, “Is any of you suffering? You should pray.” James is not surprised by the reality of suffering. He simply thinks that's a natural thing. We live in an imperfect world in which we suffer and have problems. It has always been like this since the beginning of the Church, and, chances are, it will continue to be like that until Jesus returns. We should not be surprised when we experience problem, because it is a fact of life. And James tells us that instead of complaining, despairing, doubting God, or wondering what we have done wrong, we should rather do something else – PRAY! And we should remember the words of Jesus, “In this world you will have troubles, but be of good cheer. I have overcome the world!” So, rather that wasting our time complaining or despairing, we should pray to the One who is able to deliver us from our trouble. And remember that problems, if we relate to them the right way, are simply another opportunity for God to confirm that He is faithful. In another place, James writes, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.” (1:12) And Paul writes “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. 4 And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. 5 And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.” (Rom 5:3-5) We must always remember that nothing can separate us from His love.

So, if things do not go well, let us pray earnestly to the One who has delivered us and will deliver us from all our troubles. And if things go well, let us praise the One who has delivered us and will deliver us. As Psalm 34 says,

 1 I will praise the LORD at all times.

      I will constantly speak his praises.

 2 I will boast only in the LORD;

      let all who are helpless take heart.

 3 Come, let us tell of the LORD’s greatness;

      let us exalt his name together.

 4 I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me.

      He freed me from all my fears.

 5 Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;

      no shadow of shame will darken their faces.

 6 In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened;

      he saved me from all my troubles.

Whether things are good or not good, let our lips be not filled with words of complain, or words of desperation, but with words of praise and supplication.

James continues and asks another question - “Is any of you sick? You should call the elders and ask them to pray for you and anoint you with oil in the name of the Lord.”                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        

Here again we find that prayer is the right response when the problem we face is physical sickness. Here again I must correct another misunderstanding among Christians – the idea that sickness has no place in the life of a Christian. There are people who believe that if a Christian is sick, it is so for one of two reasons – either he or she has sinned or he/she does not have enough faith to be healed. These people often quote a verse in Isaiah, “by his stripes we are healed” and claim that Jesus on the cross took our sickness so that we may not be sick. Most of the time the same people also say that Christians should be rich, and if they are not rich it is because their faith is not strong enough. God wants to bless His children with health and wealth, and it is their fault if they do not enjoy the good gifts God wants to give them.

Unfortunately this teaching is quite popular in our days and continues to lead many astray. Yet, so long as we live in the flesh we must live with the limitations of the flesh, including sickness. This is just the way it is. And to believe and teach that sickness is simply the result of a weak faith is an abomination.

Indeed, James says, sickness is a reality for Christians. And sickness is a problem because, more often than not, it causes us to be separated from the community of faith. And so sickness not only causes physical damage, but can also cause spiritual damage. In such cases the elders are to be called, so that they can pray for the sick person. James here also mentions that the elders ought to anoint the sick person with oil. In the Bible oil is a symbol of the Spirit and being anointed with oil symbolizes one's belonging to God and need to be guided by the Spirit. Through the anointing the sick person is reminded that ultimately his/her life is the hands of God, who is the Creator and Giver of life. God has the power to heal and restore.

When we read James, we may be misled into thinking that every time we pray for the sick and anoint them with oil the end result will be healing. The risk is that of perceiving prayer and anointing as some sort of magic formula that ensures a positive outcome.

While I do believe that healing is granted most of the time, I also know for a fact that at times healing is not granted. I have met people who have been cured of cancer and even AIDS. I myself, when I was 4 years old, experienced healing. One day I woke up and my eye was swollen to about the size of a tennis ball and for three weeks the doctors had no idea what the problem was. The elders of my church came to pray for me and anoint me. And a few days later the eye came back to normal. General Superintendent Dr. James Diehl often tells the story of how God healed him. He was diagnosed with thyroid cancer. The Church prayed for him, and eventually the cancer was defeated. But he also tells the story of his son David, who was also diagnosed with cancer. Many people prayed for him, earnestly, but this time there was no healing and David died about a year ago. Was the faith of those who prayed too weak? I don't think so. The fact is simply this – at times, in spite of prayer, faith, and anointing, there is no healing. Why? I do not know. But one thing I know for sure – God knows better than me.

However today we are going to come to God in prayer and with the assurance that God knows what we need better than we know. We are going to come to God believing that He cares for us, that He is mighty to save us from all our troubles, and that He wants to touch our lives and bring comfort.

Are any of you distressed? I want to pray for you. Do any of you feel that the pressure from the people around you make you stumble? I want to pray for you. Are any of you doubting and wandering away from God? I want to pray for you. Are any of you sick? Do any of you need God to touch your body and your spirit? I want to anoint you with oil and pray for you. I want to remind  you that your life is the hands of God and that He can do with you whatever He wants. But also I want to remind you that our God is mighty to save you, heal you, and make you whole.

In Psalm 34 it is written, “O taste and see that the Lord is good. Blessed is the person who takes refuge in Him!” Let us take refuge in Him today. And, as He has taught us to pray, may His will be done, today and every day of our lives.