James Just Like Us?

 

James

Just Like Us?

James says “Elijah was a man just like us”

What could James have meant by this statement?

We should not pull Elijah down to our level and

Think, we too, can do what he did just because we are men

 We are people like him

But we should take inspiration from Elijah knowing he was a man

A man who was righteous and therefore powerful and effective

Elijah was a man just like us, he did not tolerate

 He did not compromise his righteousness

And that is what made his prayers “POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE” 

Let’s climb the ladder of spiritual success

 Let us separate ourselves from the teachings of Jezebel and this world

As we come before the face of the Lord in prayer, remember Psalms 11:7

For the LORD is righteous,

He loves justice; upright men will see His face.

 

 

Just Like Us?

 

James says…

 

 “Elijah was a man just like us.”

 

What could James have meant by this statement?

 

Commentators describe Elijah

as one who appeared abruptly.

 

He was not recognized by his

parentage, but by what he did.

 

It is not who you are,

 but what you are.

 

Some think Elijah was an angel.

 

And I can see why, as he

seems like a Melchizedek…

 

Melchizedek, priest of God.

 

 Without father or mother, without genealogy,

without beginning of days or end of life,

 like the Son of God he remains a priest forever.

Hebrews 7:2-3

 

Elijah seems to have no beginning.

 

 And did not die,

 but went to heaven in a fiery chariot.

 2 Kings 2:11

 

Yet, James says…

 

 “Elijah was a man just like us.”

 

A man who brought down fire from heaven.

 1 Kings 18:36-38

 

Did miracles…

 

 Like making the jar of meal and

the jug of oil to never run out.

 1 Kings 17:12-16

 

Raised a widow’s son back to life.

 1 Kings 17:17-24

 

Now James reminds us that this “man” Elijah…

 

 He prayed earnestly that it would not rain,

 and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.

 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain,
 and the earth produced its crops.

James 5:17-18

 

What are you saying, James?

 

I feel like Elijah is on the ladder

of spiritual success…

 

So far into heaven I can’t see him

and I am at the first run of the ladder.

 

For me to compare Elijah to myself…

 

 Would be a grave dishonor to Elijah and God.

 

So James what are you saying?...

 

“Elijah was a man just like us.”

 

We should not pull Elijah down to our level…

 

And think, we too, can do what he

did just because we are men.

 

We are people like him.

 

But we should take inspiration

from Elijah knowing he was a man.

 

A man who was righteous and

therefore powerful and effective.

 

Leading up to James’ words

about Elijah, James says…

 

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James 5:16

 

Elijah’s righteousness was not

just some gift of God.

 

Elijah’s righteousness was making the

God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob #1.

 

Elijah did not have a number 2, 3 or 4.

 

He did not have anything else before God…

 

Even though the world, the government,

even the temple was polluted, compromised.

 

Elijah kept God #1.

 

Elijah never bent his knee to Baal.

 

He stood up to Jezebel.

 

 He would not compromise what

was right and remained righteous.

 

The Book of Revelation puts this into perspective…

 

"To the angel of the church in Thyatira write:

 

These are the words of the Son of God, whose eyes are like blazing fire and whose feet are like burnished bronze.  I know your deeds, your love and faith, your service and perseverance, and that you are now doing more than you did at first.

Nevertheless, I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel , who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads my servants into sexual immorality and the eating of food sacrificed to idols.  I have given her time to repent of her immorality, but she is unwilling.

 Revelation 2:18-21

 

Thyatira had great deeds of love and faith,

 but tolerated the teachings of Jezebel.

 

Elijah DO NOT TOLERATE

the teachings of Jezebel.

 

Elijah was a man just like us…

 

 He did not tolerate.

 

 He did not compromise his righteousness.

 

And that is what made his prayers…

 

 “POWERFUL AND EFFECTIVE”.

 

Let’s climb the ladder of spiritual success.

 

Let us separate ourselves from the teachings of Jezebel.

 

As we come before the face of the Lord

in prayer, remember Psalms 11:7…

 

For the LORD is righteous,

he loves justice;

upright men will see his face.

 

 

 

Scripture Reading

 

James 5:17-18 NIV

 

17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.