“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.” James 5:16-18 (KJV)
The writing of James is dealing with prayer, healing, confession of sin, and forgiveness; and these all come through faith in the One who died for our sins, was buried and rose again; and He ever lives to make intercession for us.
Is there need for an hierarchical priesthood in the Body of Christ? NO! Because Christ is our High Priest, and He has called us to be a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9). Jesus Christ Himself has given to all who have called on the name of Jesus for salvation a priesthood. As a Christian we all have the right, given us by the power of the cross – the torn veil of the temple – to access the very throne of God (Matthew 27:51). We are priests for one another and for ourselves through Christ Jesus. The priesthood has been given to all who come to God through the cross of Jesus Christ. There is no Hierarchical Priesthood within the true Body of Christ.
James says, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed”. There are some things that we may find ourselves personally weak in dealing with. Finances can be a problem for some by having poor spending habits, thus, not having the money to pay bills – in that there would be great help in consulting with a brother or sister in Christ who is good with handling material things; and it will begin in “confessing your fault or trespass” to the brother or sister. It could even be something related to a sexual situation; men sometimes have a real struggle with lust, and it would help to have a Christian brother to “confess’ this so as to strengthen the afflicted soul, and help deal with the sin.
We all have our faults and sins and trespasses. There are times we certainly need the aid of our brethren. It is great knowing that our brothers and sisters in Christ all have the same access to God that we have. One of the things which might keep us from confessing our faults would be that issue itself – we may not really believe they have the same access – however, we must rest assured, anyone who has trusted Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior has equal access to the throne as I do.
There is healing of many problems, relationships, sicknesses when we confess our faults, and our sins to others we may have offended, and we pray for the other.
The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the evidence the world needs to hear that Jesus is the only way to God. There is no other way.
Walk With God Today.
-Tim A. Blankenship
Filed under: BIBLE STUDIES, Christianity, Devotion, Discipleship, James, Theo/Doc | Tagged: Bible Study, Christianity, Confession, Devotion, Discipleship, James, Life, Life issues, Power, Prayer, Priesthood, Religion, Right
