This coming Lord’s Day we will continue our look at James 5:13-15. In this section of his letter, James is addressing the believer’s life from two broad categories of experience. As we discovered last week, there are times of suffering and times of cheer. And in both of these seasons of life believers are to cast their hearts heavenward in prayer and song (v. 13).

Then, in verses 14-15 James speaks of a specific kind of suffering that may befall a member of the body of Christ. In verse 14 he asks, “Is anyone among you sick?” And he has in mind a very serious illness, one that leaves the sufferer bedridden. To such an afflicted one the instructions are, “Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.” Then, James declares that, “the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven” (v. 15).

New Testament scholars tell us that this is one of the most controversial passages in James, and perhaps, even in the whole New Testament. On Sunday, we will ask the Lord to teach us from these inspired verses, and we will trust that His blessed Word will never return void.