The Life of Victory

Since March, we have studied the book of James, the man who pastored the church of Jerusalem. This “no-nonsense” disciple pastored a church who understood persecution and needed to be encouraged to live their lives in the victory that all Christians have in Jesus Christ.

Two weeks ago, we talked about the position of victory for the marginalized Christian who might think they are alone in the world.

Eye’s up continuing to trust the Lord knowing that Jesus is coming back soon.

One of the strongest people I know is Patricia Hamilton. I don’t see a woman wallowing in pity. I see a woman who is trusting in her Lord knowing that He has enough grace for us every day.

How do we learn to live a life of victory in Jesus?

READ JAMES 5:12-20

1. Victory Values God’s Name and Lives in Truth. (v. 12)

The language that we use is important. Even in the ancient world, there was written laws for the Jews when it came to swearing to God or making an oath.

“Do not swear falsely by my name, profaning the name of your God; I am the Lord.” - Leviticus 19:12

How the people of God used His name was at the utmost importance. One could not simply say whatever they wanted.

There was a heavenly expectation that God’s people would hold value to His holy name and not use His name as a way to make promises to people.

Jesus taught the same message in Matthew 5:34-37:

“But I tell you, don’t take an oath at all: either by heaven, because it is God’s throne; or by the earth, because it is his footstool; or by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King. Do not swear by your head, because you cannot make a single hair white or black. But let your ‘yes’ mean ‘yes, and your ‘no’ mean ‘no’. Anything is from the evil one.”

Jame’s took a page out of Jesu’s book to teach on the same concept.

College students can often times be unreliable when it comes to pinning them down on any kind of plan. You can’t take their word for what they say because they are living in what may seem like an alternative universe.

The idea of “letting your yes be yes and no be no” needs to be reclaimed in society. People will say yes but mean no or say no hoping you know that they are saying yes.

Words are serious anymore. There tends to be an underlying meaning everywhere.

The language used in God’s kingdom is clear and truthful. The name of God is held in high esteem and people never swear by it.

We speak to one another in truth because we value truthful language more than saying things in a way just to make others feel good.

Be authentic in your language. It’s kinder and more loving than avoiding truth to soften the blow. Just tell the truth in love.

2. Embrace Victory Through Prayer. (v. 13-18)

James wrote that we are to be prayerful no matter what circumstance we find ourselves in.

Personal prayer

There is also a benefit to having a church that will pray for you.

elders - Spiritually mature Christians in your church who will come and pray for you personally.

Oil was viewed in a medicinal way and was also a demonstration of spiritual alertness.

The prayer of faith - The oil does not save but the prayers of the the faithful.

“Raise him up” is translated as “make thee whole”.

Faithful prayers can raise up the sick and also raise up people who are spiritually lost in sin.

Have you done a neighbor wrong? Do you have a trouble conscience? Do you have something you need to confess openly?

Find the righteous man and ask him to pray for you because the prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective.

Elijah without God was a homeless wanderer.

Elijah with God was a prophet.

Elijah without God was alone in a spiritual battle against 450 prophets of Baal.

Elijah with God prayed a prayer that brought fire down from Heaven to consume the altar he had set up.

Elijah without God was a human being looking at the sky.

Elijah with God prayed that it wouldn’t rain and the land was dry.

Elijah without God was alone in a cave.

Elijah with God heard the still small voice of God.

Elijah without God was walking in a field alone.

Elijah with God was picked up on the field by a fiery chariot and taken to heaven before he would see death.

Where are the righteous men and women today?

Have you made yourselves available to the church for the laying on a hands and prayer? Is our faith strong enough that even our children know that God is good through the difficult times?

The God who is Lord to the people can provide power to the people to carry out His mission.

Part of that mission is prayer and the miracles that come from them.

Victory comes not from the actions of men but by the prayers of the saints. Call upon these men and women in your time of need so that their prayers can impact your life.

You can also claim victory in every portion of your life whenever you submit to God in personal prayer.

3. Be Your Brother’s Keeper (v. 19-20).

James ends the book with a call to action. When we see a brother who has “wandered from the truth,” we are to “bring him back”.

Doing so will be saving that sinner from spiritual death.

Isn’t it amazing how much conflict we see on the internet and yet rarely is it seen through people in person?

People find it easy to accomplish their dirty work through other people, texting, or vague words on social media.

What about the church? Do people matter enough to us that we are willing to find them and bring them back to the truth?

As the body of Christ, we are sheep who are following the Great Shepherd. When we see other sheep wandering away from the fold, the Lord is calling you and me to be willing to bring them back.

Can we drag them back? No

We are called to do our best to love people enough to encourage them to come back to Jesus.

People may say “It’s not problem. Am I my brothers keeper?”

Yes. You are. You are called to do whatever you can to encourage, lead, and love someone enough to tell them that Jesus is the only way to live.

This should be something we think about often.

“If sinners will be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our bodies. And if they will perish, let them perish with our arms about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, at least let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go there unwarned and unprayed for.” - Charles Spurgeon

Are we fanatical enough to do our best to encourage our brothers and sisters to return to Jesus?

I pray to the Lord that we are.