"Elijah the prophet came near, and said, Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word." (1 Kings 18:36).
Hello To All:
We take the time to be edified by Elijah's testimony, because his total commitment to serving God, without any divided loyalties, gives us a foundational understanding of how a sick person can be healed within the context of James 5:14-15.
Elijah is introduced to us, in the historical time line, at 1 Kings 17:1. The first thing that he does is to make this proclamation: "As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word." (1 Kings 17:1).
This event, recorded in the time line of Elijah's servant status, in regards to the One and True and Living God, is also referenced at James 5:17; and in the previous verse (James 5:16), James is compelled by the Spirit of God to remind us to be aware that: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." James further tells us that, Elijah: "he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months." Certainly, this should be understood as an "effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man."
Throughout Elijah's service to God, he never deviated from his absolute devotion to, dependence upon, and his undivided allegiance to his Creator: the One and True and Living God. If we are to be able to claim: "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man," that "availeth much," as applying to ourselves, especially those of us who are ordained elders; then we must also have the same absolute devotion to, the same dependence upon, and the same undivided allegiance to our Creator as Elijah had. And, to make certain that there is no confusion: When I speak of our Creator, I am speaking of Jesus of Nazareth. This is the same Jesus who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God! Can the church say Amen!
At one point in the recorded events of Elijah's life (please examine the chapters beginning at 1 Kings chapter 17), Elijah is compelled by God to confront the false prophets of the false god Baal. When all of Israel is gathered, Elijah lays a challenge before all of Israel. We find written at 1 Kings 18:21, the following: "And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word."
Perhaps, one of the most striking realities of this text, is the fact that: "the people answered him not a word." It should be noted that our "old man," our fallen nature, enjoys the comfort of our chosen belief system; and we will fervently resist any efforts to alter our personal beliefs. How often have we answered "not a word," when we are challenged to choose between allegiance to our Creator and allegiance to something else. I am, once again, reminded about a pastor friend, who was reluctant to say anything to his denominational authorities, about a certain issue, because they controlled his future.
Elijah's future was totally in God's hands. Elijah's testimony is righty summarized by our opening text: "I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word." (1 Kings 18:36). He was able to pray with great effectiveness, because he prayed for the revealed will of God to be accomplished! This is the essence of the elder's responsibility in the James 5:14-15 text. God's revealed will is clearly stated: "And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up." (James 5:15).
Now, I am once again compelled to speak, directly to those of you who are my brothers in Christ Jesus; and have also been set apart by Him and ordained to the office of elder. In this capacity, we have been equipped by Christ to serve His church, the body of Christ, in it's entirety, as it is scattered throughout the world. But, if we are to effectively pray "the prayer of faith," then we must be able to stand with Elijah, before God and say: "I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word." If our loyalties are in any way divided, then we will not by able to effectively pray; and the sick among us will continue to be sick.
My brothers, let us fervently pray for one another, that our loyalties will not be divided; and let us also pray that the only one that we will serve is our Creator, Jesus of Nazareth. Once again, let it be said: This is the same Jesus, who is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Amen and Amen and Amen!
Until next time my beloved brethren, in Christ Jesus, I continue to be:
Your servant and your fellow pilgrim,
Elder Theophilus
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