By Del Hooge, missionary to the Philippines
Read James 5:16.
Broken relationships are hard to heal. Even families who are in ministry are affected. The response to the call to ministry is no guarantee of tranquility among relations or friends. James’ words echo in biblical historical narratives in both Testaments.
Joseph, David, and even Jesus found friction with their brothers. Paul and Barnabas had disagreements. Human relationships do affect heavenly fellowship at times. Professor Eli Harju often waved his arms horizontally and vertically to illustrate this. If the horizontal is neglected, the vertical is affected (opposingly as well).
Is there any difference if we consider the spiritual family of God? James gives us a possible answer to the problem of some unanswered prayers. Prayers for the offender or offended are hard to come by when a relationship is unmended. It is hard to pray for a “brother” when there is broken fellowship.
A brother brought charges against a brother, and the matter spread among many. But when a meeting was arranged, and they met over a cup of coffee, soft words and tears of joy mended that relationship. They could pray together and rejoice in the grace of God when they followed 1 John 1:9. They left rejoicing with the burden lifted, and it was easy to pray for each other.
James uses some interesting words in this verse: “confess,” “faults,” and “righteous man” (yes, the last is two words in English but just one in Greek). “Confess” is just admit. “faults” are offenses, and the last is “one who is seen as now equal.”
It is a work of God’s grace that brings us to admit when we have done wrong or wronged someone. It is also important that if we have suffered wrong and we are given the opportunity to forgive, we should do so immediately. God has made it possible for us to be right before the only Righteous One. How much more we should forgive?
God says that confession of faults puts offended parties back on equal ground so that fellowship can be mutually resumed.
In my mind, this might be a simple way to express this verse: “Fess up when in the wrong so you can heal relationships. The prayers of a person doing right are powerful.”
Let’s empower our prayers with the mending of relationships!
Let’s empower our prayers with the mending of relationships!
Reflective Questions:
- Is there someone you have wronged you need to seek out and ask for forgiveness? Has someone wronged you, and you are holding on to bitterness?
- If you answered yes to either question, what is stopping you from seeking out the individual to bring healing and health?
- Why do you think God places such an emphasis on confessing our faults to and praying for one another? How would you explain this formula to someone … confession + prayer = healing?
Memory Verse:
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5:16
Prayer:
Dear God, I am thankful for your forgiveness. I don’t know where I would be without it. Give me the strength I need to forgive others and, when needed, ask others for forgiveness for my trespasses. Help me to pray often for others.
Related Scriptures:
I John 1:9; Jeremiah 29:12-13; Proverbs 15:29; Matthew 21:22; John 9:31; Psalm 34:15; Jeremiah 33:3; Psalm 145:18-19
