Call for the Elders — The Body of Christ at Work

 


What Scripture commands when we are sick and dependent

James does not leave the sick believer to suffer in isolation. He gives clear instruction: “Is any sick among you? 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: And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up” (James 5:14-15). He continues, “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (v. 16).

Notice the direction of the command. The sick one is to call. Dependence is not failure; it is obedience. We are not designed to carry every burden alone. Galatians 6:2 says, “Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.” There is a difference between the personal load each must carry (Galatians 6:5) and the crushing burden that requires the help of the body.

When sickness makes us unable to help ourselves or others, the Lord has already made provision: the elders, the prayers of the saints, the mutual care of the church. Receiving that care is not being a burden in the sinful sense; it is allowing the body of Christ to function as God designed it. Romans 12:15 tells us to weep with those who weep. Matthew 25 shows that visiting the sick is ministry done unto Christ Himself.

Do not let pride keep you from calling. Do not let false independence rob the church of the joy of bearing your burden. The same Lord who strengthens the weak also commands the strong to come alongside.

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Location: Dublin, IN, USA

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