The book of James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another [your false steps, your offences], and pray for one another, that you may be healed and restored. The heartfelt and persistent prayer of a righteous man (believer) is able to accomplish much [when put into action and made effective by God—it is dynamic and can have tremendous power].”
Most times, we tend to focus more on part B of the above verse of the scriptures. But how about part A? Part A is what the ideal Church (gathering of believers) should look like; a place where although I am ashamed of my faults but not ashamed to bare my heart to my brother or sister. Where I’m not afraid to open up about some secret thoughts and feelings.
How sweet it will be to find a believer with who I can confide my worst faults! Faults I’ve prayed about for so long, but they seem not to go away. Faults I’ve fasted and cried about at nights, but they seem coded into my genes.
‘Bro. yesterday, I hurt someone badly with my words.’ ‘I insulted my parents and elders, ‘I spent all night lusting after that man/woman,’ ‘I see evil tendencies rearing their ugly heads in me,’ ‘I’m daily drawn to the world and away from Christ,’
‘I see anger, pride, hate, lies, envy, jealousy and hypocrisy ravaging me,’ ‘I no longer believe in God as I used to,’ ‘I doubt if the Bible is true,’ I’m confused about my state with God,’ I feel lost, discouraged, depressed, and on the verge of losing my mind completely.’
And this my believer friend is not only saddened by these transgressions of mine but will keep my faults to himself. He also goes in to sorrowfully remember me in prayers. You can be sure that such heartfelt and persistent prayer will accomplish much.
Only then will a healthy and vibrant body of Christ be raised. Because we have many that are dying in their faults, afraid of betrayal, not knowing who to confide in. So, the Church is full of beautified sinners, putting up appearances but marching to hell from the gate of heaven.
Unfortunately, today, the Church is full of newscasters, people who are only interested in breaking the latest exclusive news of anything that crosses their ears. In a bid to show that they have information on the lives of others, they’d share very private things others shared with them in confidence, even on the pulpit. They can’t preach Christ because they don’t know Him but have all the time to assassinate the character of others.
In verse 15, God through Apostle James shows that forgiveness and healing go hand in hand. Forgiveness yields both spiritual and physical healing.
In search of this believer, who I can be open to, with things that only God knows about. Because obtaining forgiveness of my sins and healing go hand in hand.
O Lord, I want to be a believer that others can trust with their deepest faults and failures. And I’ll bear their burden in prayers before you, and with gracious words seasoned with salt, comfort their souls.
‘Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ’ – Galatians 6:2
