2. The Purpose of Confession
The purpose of confession is to promote
restoration, and freedom. The
phrase, "You may be healed" at the end of 16 is the purpose
statement of the verse. It answers the question, why do we confess and pray for
one another? We confess and pray because
there is healing in such communal practices. The wounds and
chains that the devil uses to drag us around are melted away as we confess our
sin and receive prayer.
James’
word choice is important here. He uses the word “healed” in relation to
confession. McKnight notes Healed means a spiritual healing
(forgiveness of sin, spiritual restoration) while still including physical
healing. McKnight write on how Isaiah 6:9-10 plays an important role in shaping
the early Jewish Christians understanding of the word “healed”. Isaiah 6: 10 reads: “Make the mind of this people dull, and stop
their ears, and shut their eyes, so that they may not look with their
eyes, and listen with their ears, and comprehend with their minds, and turn and be healed.” The verse is used on three occasions by
three New Testament writers. In Matthew 13:15; John 12:40; and Acts
28:27 all three used the verses as a warning against those who persist in
habitual sin.[1] In contrast, James tells them how to “turn”
and be healed. James believes that when a communities’ lifestyle repentance;
a way of life marked by constant turning in confess and turning to prayer,
there will be a turning up of the communities’ experience of God’s grace and
power.
Does James mean physical healing or spiritual healing?
Given the command is general in nature the use of
the word ‘healing’ can be understood as a “Both/and” understanding. So the spiritual
healing is in the forefront while physical healing is still included in the
background. The reason for keeping the door open to physical healing is because
of the biblical evidence. Jesus showed some sickness is unrelated to personal
sin (Jn. 9:1ff.) and at other times sin was the direct caused of sickness (Mk.
9:18; Jn. 5:14). So it is clear sin is
can’t be the ultimate cause of all sickness. James follows Jesus lead as he concludes
his encouragement to pray for the sick. He writes "If he has sinned", in
verse 15, the
"if" makes clear sin does not always cause sickness. Confession is needed
but the two can be connected on occasion (see 1 Cor 11:29-30). Yet scripture
gives no information about what sickness are tied to sins and such labels are fruitless
speculation. What is important is a health church is a people who confess there
sin. As Doug Moo summarizes James aim, “the whole community should be
encouraged to confess their sins to one another and to pray for one another. By
so doing, the health (in the broadest sense) of the community will be insured.”
[2]
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