Last night I couldn't sleep much, so I finished a book I'm reviewing, Almost Home: My Life Story, Vol. 1. It's by Damien Echols, who was the supposed "satanic ring leader" of the group falsely accused of murder in Arkansas 15 years ago -- "the West Memphis Three." I always wanted to know more about this case, as I haven't seen the documentary about this travesty of justice, Paradise Lost. But this book is the first one written as a first-hand account of what went on. It's his life story, which has many fascinating (and sad) interactions with churches. It's always cool to be able to have a perspective like this. I hope he somehow gets free in the near future, instead of executed.
James urges believers in chapter 5 to be patient about the Lord's coming. I wonder if he would've used the same language had he known that we'd still be waiting nearly 2,000 years later. I wonder what the context was like at that time that made an exhortation like this necessary. I wonder if people were freaking out or making radical decisions based on the imminent return of Christ.
It's interesting how he warns us,
"Above all, my brothers, do not swear -- not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your 'Yes' be yes, and your 'No,' no, or you will be condemned."
I'm reminded of the verses in a previous chapter about, "You ought to say, 'If it is the Lord's will, we will live and do this or that.'"
I've personally tried to make this instruction a practical and real part of my life. I tell ya, it goes against the grain. When people ask, "Are you going to GMA? Are you going to Cornerstone Festival?" I say, "Lord willing, yes." I think people often think that means, "Well, I'm lingering on that decision." In reality, I'm trying to obey Scripture -- not just the letter of it, but the spirit of it as well. God could change many plans and assuming that we know the future is a presumptiousness that is not really proper. It's funny how these things rub against the grain -- even within the church.
I love the ending of the book, where James talks about prayer:
"Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the Name of the Lord. 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. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective."
This is not the first time that forgiveness and healing are joined together. This is fascinating.
Posted by Doug Van Pelt at March 9, 2006 08:12 AM