Captives to Christ

“And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up.  If he has sinned he will be forgiven” James 5:15.

In a world full of darkness and sin this verse is our remedy.  Many think this verse is about physical healing from sickness, but James was talking about something so much more…the sickness of our souls due to sin in the world.  It can become discouraging when considering my own tendency towards sin or the tendencies of those I love.  This is why it is so important to pray with expectation of God breaking us from our weaknesses and temptations.  It is imperative that we really believe what we’re praying for and thank Him in advance for His faithfulness. 

‘The world is committed to its pleasures, desires, and beliefs.  It will seek out and listen to its own teachers.  Children of God must listen to the spirit of God’ Kelly Minter, What Love Is, page 108.  John knew that there were competing views which would elevate sin over truth.  He wrote to encourage that while we might fall into sin we serve a God who is greater than our sin.  ‘You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world’ 1 John 4:4. 

I take comfort that every person in his audience sinned at one time and was born into God’s family.  There is no sin that is too great for God to forgive in our walk, but we must understand that our lives and the lives of others do have an earthly expiration date.  We must walk in the Spirit and shine the light on God revealing Him to those lost in a dark world.  We must be careful ourselves not to step into temptation for the devil doesn’t fight fair.  He knows our weaknesses and will try to trip us up when we least expect it.  But we have all the knowledge and the power in blood of Christ to protect and shield us if we are cautious and spiritually focused.  We will overcome our tendencies when we are equipped with the power of God and Christ in us. 

‘But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ's triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of him everywhere’ 2 Co 2:14.  If we are going to be captive to anything let it be to Christ!