GOD OUR HEALER.
CONTENTS AND INTRODUCTION.
1. WHY GOD EARNESTLY DESIRES TO HEAL TODAY.
1. Because of God's character.
2. Because of Christ's Atonement through His death on the Cross.
3. Because sickness is an evil thing.
4. The causes of sickness.
5. The means by which God heals a person.
2. HOW TO COME TO GOD FOR HEALING.
1. In repentance and contrition.
2. After diligent spiritual preparation.
3. With positive faith in God.
4. The victory of faith in God over circumstances, sickness and sight.
5. The wonderful grace of God to the sincere doubter.
3. WHY HEALING FROM GOD MAY BE DELAYED.
1. Because a person's allotted span of life has been reached.
2. Because the person praying for the sick has neglected prayerful
communion with God.
3. Because a person seeking healing may not be spiritually prepared
for healing.
4. Because God may desire to test and improve a Christian's character.
5. Because the sick person is looking to man instead of looking to
God.
6. Because a person believes the traditions of men instead of the Word
of God.
7. Because a person is suffering from sickness as a result of overwork.
8. So that a greater miracle can bring greater glory to God.
9. What to do when healing is delayed.
- Why is there sickness in the
Church of Christ?
- Can a Christian expect Divinely preserved health?
10. The scriptural qualifications of elders who pray for the sick.
4. CHRIST'S CHALLENGE TO HIS CHURCH.
1. Christ's challenge to His Church of communion with God and victorious
Christian living.
- When can we expect a New Testament revival and great healing miracles?
2. Christ's challenge to His Church of signs, wonders and miracles.
3. Christ's challenge to his Church through His great commission.
4. The challenge of Christ's character.
5. HEALING FROM GOD, NATURAL HEALING, AND MEDICINE.
Preface to the Second Edition. Since this book was written over twenty
years ago, we have seen the Lord do many wonderful miracles. We have
also experienced many trials of our faith over healing, which have given
us a personal experience of other people's suffering, and the qualifications
of a victory of faith over our trials. May this study inspire those
who read it, to realise the great mercy and love that God holds out
to the sick and suffering. I originally called this book, "Jesus
Christ The Healer," however, I have now changed the title to "God
The Healer," because every member of the Trinity is involved in
the ministry of healing the sick. W. H. Turner. May 3rd. 1997. Reformatted
October 7th. 2000
INTRODUCTION.
a. The challenge of the ministry of healing.
The ministry of healing the sick presents a tremendous challenge to
the spiritual condition of the Church; any false claims of real spirituality
are exposed by the lack of a ministry to the sick. This is particularly
so when viewed in the light of the healing ministry of Jesus and His
early Church. We can be quite sure that the Lord Jesus desires to heal
the sick just as much as He did when He walked this earth. Why, then,
does His Church fail to fulfil His commission to heal the sick? Is not
the Church criminally guilty in withholding the truth and experience
of Divine healing? It is a great tragedy that such a wonderful Saviour
has such poor adverts of His love and power, and that the tremendous
desire of God to heal the sick is largely frustrated by a very imperfect
Church. However, thank God for those Christians who have taken up the
challenge to minister to the sick as Jesus did. The Head of the Church
spent at least half of His time healing the sick, and His Church should
desire to imitate His example. Divine healing is not faith healing,
magnetic healing, hypnotism, or healing through spiritualist mediums.
Divine healing takes place when we meet with Jesus Christ the healer,
and with God our Father who, in His great love and grace, gives the
children's bread of healing, even to those who are not His children.
Mt.15v21-28. Lk.7v24-30. Christ's wonderful healing ministry was the
manifestation of the Father's generous giving heart to needy mankind.
Jn.5v19,30. 14v8-10.
b. Spiritual gifts and ministries of healing are still available today.
The argument that God no longer heals the sick does not have any Scriptural
foundation. In 1Cor.13v8-13., we read that the miraculous powers of
the Church are to continue until God's perfect kingdom comes upon earth,
and we see Christ and the Father face to face, and fully know as we
are fully known. Spiritual gifts, including Divine healing, are a partial
and incomplete manifestation of "the powers of the age to come."
Heb.6v5. Our present partial and temporary manifestations of "the
powers of the age to come," will be replaced by the permanent and
complete manifestation of those powers in the wonderful kingdom of the
altogether lovely God of love; until that day dawns we are to "follow
after love and earnestly desire spiritual gifts." 1Cor.14v1. Some
say that 1Cor.12v28-30., shows that ministering to the sick should be
performed by Christians who have a ministry of gifts of healings. However,
Paul, in 1Cor.12v31., tells us that ALL Christians are to covet the
more powerful gifts of the Holy Spirit; and James.5v13-18., informs
us that healing of the sick should be part of the ministry of the elders
of the local Church.
Obviously those who are entrusted with a ministry of gifts of healings
will specialise in ministering to the sick. But God expects all the
ministries of the Church to minister to the sick besides fulfilling
the ministry in which they specialise. The teacher will specialise in
teaching, but he will teach about healing by example as well as doctrine.
The prophet will reveal the mind and purposes of God, but will minister
to the sick as well. The apostle will pioneer and found Churches, but
in doing this he will minister to the sick; indeed the apostles founded
churches through the miracles they did. Rom.15v18-21. The greater ministries
that God has set in the Church should manifest spiritual gifts and have
a ministry to the sick, so that the lovely desires of God can be brought
to pass. Jesus never sent out any preachers without a commission to
bring healing to the sick. Mt.10v1-8. Lk.10v1-9. We are to observe the
same commands that Christ gave to His Church, and the commission of
healing the sick is amongst these commands. Mt.28v20. Mk.16v15-20. Acts.1v4-8.
2v43. 5v12-16.
c. God still desires to heal even when His Church fails to convey His
healing power.
The sick should remember that when the disciples of Christ fail to
bring healing because of their weak spiritual condition, as in the case
of the boy that the apostles could not heal in Mk.9v14-29.; it is still
the desire and will of Christ to heal. Praying for the sick shatters
any false pretence of spiritual power. Spiritual pretenders who pray
for the sick without having the spiritual power to deliver the sick,
will only cause anxiety, worry, fear and frustration in the sick. A
person has to live close to God to minister to the sick with results.
When Jesus and His apostles ministered to the sick, there were no disillusioned
and disappointed crowds of sufferers leaving the meetings without healing
and bitter in spirit through their disappointed expectations. We also
read that most of the healings in the New Testament were instantaneous
and complete, and not temporary, such was the spiritual power of Christ
and His early Church. e.g. Mt.8v3,13,15-17. Acts.5v12-16. 8v5-8. 6v6.
John Chrysostom, A.D.346-407., comments; "There are some who ask,
'Why are not miracles performed still? Why are there no persons who
raise the dead and cure diseases?'" To which he replies, "That
it is owing to the want of faith, and virtue, and piety in those times".
For as Jerome says, "The Church lost as much of its virtue, as
it had gained of wealth and power."
John Wesley in his sermon on "The More Excellent Way," states,
"It does not appear that these extraordinary gifts of the Holy
Ghost were common in the Church for more than two or three centuries.
We seldom hear of them after that fatal period when the Emperor Constantine
called himself a Christian; and, from a vain imagination of promoting
the Christian cause thereby, heaped riches and power and honour upon
the Christians in general, but in particular upon the Christian Clergy.
From this time they almost totally ceased; very few instances of the
kind were found. The cause of this was not, as has been vulgarly supposed,
'because there was no more occasion for them,' because all the world
was become Christians. The real cause was 'the love of many,' almost
of all Christians, so called, was 'Waxed cold.' The Christians had no
more of the Spirit of Christ than the other Heathens; The Son of man
when He came to examine His Church, could hardly 'find faith upon the
earth.' This was the real cause why the extraordinary gifts of the Holy
Ghost were no longer to be found in the Christian Church; because the
Christians were turned Heathens again, and had only a dead form left."
End of quote.
The gifts of the Holy Spirit almost passed away in the dark ages of
Church History, except for spasmodic manifestations of them in times
of revival. However, we can thank God, that, just as the Scriptures
promised, in these last days of this age, God is manifesting His presence
through His spiritual gifts, as Christians seek Him, and are renewed
in love, faith and power. It is a tragedy that much of the Church sleeps
on, indifferent to, and often wilfully ignorant of, God's intense desire
to manifest His love, power and Divine purposes through His spiritual
gifts. Israel limited God and frustrated the fulfilment of His purposes
through their sin, stubbornness and unbelief, and for most of its existence,
human failure has frustrated the beautiful desires of God and His Church.
Ps.78v41. In 1Cor.12., Paul makes it quite clear that God desires to
manifest the gifts of the Holy Spirit in great power through the individual
Christians who have been entrusted with the ministry gifts of Christ,
and also through each local church through the various members co-operating
together as a body. Eph.4v10-16. We also need to remember that God will
not give unlimited spiritual dynamite to spiritual babes, He will give
them a measure of power and spiritual gifts, which will be a real blessing
to them and the local church. However, mighty workings of the Holy Spirit,
particularly in the area of judgement, are given to Christians, who
because of their maturity of character, are better able to stand the
perils of great spiritual power. Judgement ministry is the last level
of spiritual authority to be given. Jn.20v20-23.
The aim of this book is to bring comfort, consolation and healing to
the sick by showing them God's love and strong desire to heal them,
and also to challenge Christians with the example of our Lord and His
great commission to preach Gospel and heal the sick. When the kingdom
of God comes near to a person through the preaching of the Gospel, the
sick should be healed too. Lk.10v9-11. Divine healing takes place as
a result of meeting with God, and there is no such thing as a difficult
case of healing to Him; He heals all our diseases. Ps.103v3.
CHAPTER 1. WHY GOD EARNESTLY DESIRES TO HEAL TODAY.
We need to remember that Divine healing is not just a doctrine, it
is bound up in the person and work of Christ, healing flows from the
redemptive work of Jesus. Mt.8v16,17. Divine healing is a result of
an encounter with the Trinity, and people's lives should be changed
as a result of meeting with the healing love and power that flows from
them. Christ earnestly desires Christians to manifest spiritual gifts,
because He earnestly desires to manifest His saving and healing power
through them. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are the means by which Christ
carries on His ministry on earth today. Let us consider the Scriptures
that show why God earnestly desires to heal us today.
1. BECAUSE OF GOD'S WONDERFUL CHARACTER.
a. God is a God of full compassion. Ps.145v7-9.
God is the Father of mercies, and full of tender mercy. 2Cor.1v3. Ps.145v7-9.
Caring for sparrows, and so full of love for His children that He counts
the hairs of their head. Mt.6v25-34. 10v29-31. 5v43-48. God's infinite
abilities are directed by His infinite compassion, and he desires to,
and can, meet all our needs. The great God of Is.40. is so great that
He views the inhabitants of the earth as grasshoppers, and the nations
as a drop in a bucket; yet He feeds His flock like a shepherd and carries
the lambs in His bosom, encouraging the fearful and giving power to
the faint. Is.40v7,11,15,22,28-31. God is not only The Almighty, He
is The All-gracious; that is, He is willing to use His almighty power
to deliver us. We should no more doubt the willingness of God to heal
us, than we should doubt His power to heal us.
The altogether beautiful character and love of God and His wonderful
promises cause us to confidently expect healing from Him. Though the
Scriptures reveal to us the justice and righteousness of God; it is
the wonderful mercy, grace and love of God, that is the supreme revelation
of the Scriptures. God is "merciful and gracious, longsuffering
and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving
iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear
the guilty." Exod.33v6,7. God loves to help the bowed down and
oppressed, and relieves the fatherless and widow. Ps.146v5-10. God's
is perfect love, and out of His love spring all His gracious and just
acts. 1John.4v8. James.1v17.
b. Divine love is the basis of Divine healing.
Divine healing is not merely a sign to confirm the Gospel, it is a
manifestation of Divine love. The signs are signposts to the glorious
fact that God is love and that He brings good news of salvation and
healing. 1Jn.4v8. Christ stopped the people using His miracles as mere
adverts of His meetings. Mt.12v15,16. The reason why our Lord wants
to do, "the same works," and "greater works," through
His Church, is that His transcendent love just longs to meet the needs
of suffering humanity just as He did while He was on earth. Jn.14v12,13.
Christ's tremendous compassion is exactly the same today; He still cannot
refuse an answer to a cry of need, or a prayer of faith. Jesus came
to destroy the works of the Devil and deliver his captives. 1Jn.3v8.
Lk.4v17-21. 9v56. Acts.10v38. Sickness is evil, it is not glorifying
to a loving and lovely God; it was never part of His original design,
it is a result of the fall of angels and men. Christ came to make men
whole and to save them from their sins, and from all the effects of
sin. Wholeness is the will of Divine love and compassion. Mt.1v21.
Christ was God manifested in the flesh, God with us manifesting His
Divine love. God the word was tabernacled in earthly flesh. Jn.1v14.
Mt.1v23. How wonderful it is that our great God should manifest Himself
in human form, and go to the ultimate in self-sacrifice to save and
heal mankind. Christ was moved with compassion, His Divine love poured
out in a never-ending stream to meet the needs of the multitudes. Mt.14v13,14.
Mk.1v32-45. etc. As soon as the people saw this Divine love and power
meeting the needs of the people, they came in their multitudes. So great
was the need that Christ could not meet it with the physical strength
at His disposal, He gave the twelve, and then the seventy, power to
act as He acted, in His name. His Divine love and power was channelled
through less perfect channels to meet the need of suffering mankind.
Expect the promises of God's Divine love to be fulfilled for you, they
are completely reliable. Come to this same Jesus NOW. Repent of your
sins, if you have not already done so. Come to Christ in contrition
and accept Him as Lord and Saviour and He will surely meet with you.
Look NOW to Jesus. God has given gifts of healings to His Church, so
that His love and power can meet your need. We read of the multitudes
being healed by the apostles of the early Church through the power of
the risen Christ, He will meet with you just the same as He met with
them. Acts.5v12-16.
We are to contend for the faith that Christ delivered to His Church,
and the healing of the sick had an important place in the doctrine and
experience of Jesus and His early Church. Jude v3. God's purpose to
heal the sick still stands, and Christians have to contend earnestly
for this important Christian doctrine and experience. Christ's Divine
love manifested a continuous ministry of healing during His ministry
on earth, and instituted a continuous ministry of healing in the Church.
Lk.4v18. Mk.16v15-20. Mt.28v18-20. Lk.24v46-48. Jn.14v12. 1Cor.12v9,28.
The ministry of healing is to continue right to the end of the age;
it has never been withdrawn. Like all Gospel truth, it is to be preached
to all the world, to all nations, to every creature and to the end of
the age. The character of Divine love and compassion does not change,
the Divine gentleness, mercy, love and power of Christ's healing touch
is just the same today. Heb.13v8. Our churches should radiate the grace,
love, mercy, sweetness and healing virtue of Christ to a world groaning
under the weight of its sin and shame, and oppressed by Satan.
c. It has always been God's will to heal the sick.
It has always been the will of Divine love to save man from ALL the
effects of sin, and to heal the body as well as the soul. It is not
God's will to have Christ's body, that is, Christ's Church, sick and
ill, Divine love wishes it to be whole. 3John.v2. God does not desire
His children to be sick any more than human parents desire to see their
children sick. Human parents desire to see their children well and God
desires to see His children well. Christ's love is so wonderful that
He died for His enemies and He wishes to save and heal all, particularly
His dear friends who love, trust and worship Him. Rom.5v6-11. Sickness
is an enemy of the perfect will of the Lovely God of love. His desire
for His creation is wholeness and health and He will not be content
or happy until this takes place. Heb.10v13. Is.41v13-16.
Lay aside any bitterness or resentment towards God and realise that
the open arms of Divine love are waiting for you. God wants to meet
with you now, not "sometime," in a far distant time in the
future, God wants to prove His love for you now. The unchangeable purpose
of God is health for our bodies as well as for our souls, and Jesus
healed all the sick who came to Him to prove it. Christ came to do His
Fathers will, and healed all the sick who came to Him. John.4v34. 8v29.
Heb.10v7-9. Mt.8v16,17. God's purpose towards the sick never varies,
He still desires to heal them. James.1v17.
It is quite inconsistent to say that Jesus heals the soul, but no longer
heals the body. Church history proves that where men and women have
had a positive faith in God, and a real love for the sick, the sick
have been healed in answer to their prayers. Divine love has never withdrawn
any of its ministries towards the sick, sinful and needy. 1Cor.12v28,29.
Christ's purpose was to bring salvation and healing to all who would
receive it. Christ's desire to heal all is revealed to its full extent
in Mt.8v16,17., on this occasion, as throughout His ministry, ALL were
healed who came to Him for healing. Divine love still desires to fulfil
Mt.8v17. to the full. God does not want us to bear our sicknesses when
our dear Lord Jesus has already born them. The ministry of Jesus fulfilled
God's full purpose, and overcame human failure and lack of faith.
Even in Nazareth, those who came to Jesus for healing were healed, the
unbelief of the others kept them away. Mk.6v1-6.
d. Realise the wonderful character of God and the wonderful
promises that He has given to you.
God's promises and character are the grounds of your faith; God is
faithful to His promises. Great is His faithfulness, and even if we
believe not, He still abides faithful. Lam.3v23. Ps.119v90. Is.49v7.
2Tim.2v13. 1Jn.1v9. James.1v17. God will fulfil His word if we meet
the conditions. 2Cor.1v20. Have faith in the lovely God of love. Mt.21v18-22.
Mk.11v22-26. Remember, it is faith in Jesus that brings God's power
into operation. Mutual trust is the only ground for fellowship and friendship,
and so the writer to the Hebrews states that without this trust and
faith it is impossible to please God. Heb.11v5,6. Strangers had more
respect for Jesus than His own people at Nazareth; those who touched
Him in faith were healed. Mk.6v3,53-56. Lk.6v19. Jesus said on several
occasions that healing was according to people's faith. When Jesus
healed the two blind men in Mt.9v27-31., He said, "According to
your faith be it unto you." When Jesus healed the centurion's
servant in Mt.8v6-13., "Jesus said to the centurion, Go thy way;
and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant
was healed in the selfsame hour." When Jesus healed the Syrophenician's
daughter in Mt.15v28., Jesus said to her, "O woman, great is thy
faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made
whole from that very hour." In Mk.10v52., Jesus said to the blind
man, "Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately
he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way."
We do not build faith by just talking about faith, or by praying for
faith. Paul tells us in Rom.10v17., "So then faith comes by hearing,
and hearing by the word of God." Faith is increased by the truth
in Jesus, by hearing God's word and by that Word revealing the beauty
and glory of the wonderful character of God. Don't talk merely about
faith, reveal to people the wonderful character of Jesus and the Father,
and how faithful and trustworthy they are, and faith will grow in them.
See how beautiful God is. See the glory of His promises. See how positively
God desires your salvation and healing. The Bible knows nothing of the
faith-destroying, negative preaching that is preached by many today.
See the great love and compassion of God meeting the needs of the multitudes.
As you realise what God is like, then faith will grow in your heart.
However, be quite sure that there is nothing in your heart that you
need to put right with God, for sin is a great enemy of faith. In his
epistle John tells us, "If our heart condemn us not, THEN we have
confidence towards God". 1Jn.3v21. "Confidence," "parrhesia,"
means, fearless confidence, cheerful courage and boldness." See
Heb.4v16., "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need."
Heb.10v19,35. "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into
the holiest by the blood of Jesus. v35 "Cast not away therefore
your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward." 1Jn.5v14.
"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask
any thing according to his will, he heareth us."
The heart and life that has been cleansed in the blood of Jesus, and
continues to walk in the light of His truth, will have a bold and positive
victorious faith in God. Faith is not developed by psychology or auto-suggestion,
it grows by loving and walking with God, and by reading and rejoicing
in His promises. Plant the seed of the word of God in your heart and
obey it, and you will find that you will reap a harvest of faith and
healing. Remember that a temporary delay in healing does not mean that
God refuses to heal you, look steadfastly to Jesus. Heb.10v35-37. 12v1,2.
Jesus, our great High Priest lives to meet our every need, and He has
set special ministries in His Church to heal the sick through prayer
and faith. James.5v13-20. Mk.16v15-20. 1Cor.12v5-11,28. The Scriptures
inform us that in these last days we can expect a great manifestation
of the saving and healing power of God through a renewed and empowered
Church. Acts.2v16-21.
Jesus and the Father intensely desire to heal the sick. God's
redeemed children can expect the children's bread of healing from their
heavenly Father. Mk.7v27. Jesus was so humble and gentle that He even
washed the feet of His disciples, He is just as gracious today, His
arms are open to receive and comfort you now. Jn.13v12-17. Mt.11v28-30.
20v20-28. He invites you to come to Him, He waits to meet your need.
Do you feel like the women who came to the end of herself before she
met Jesus? Mk.5v25-34. Lk.8v43-48. She tried all the doctors could do
for Her, and they failed. Christ's ministry had inspired a positive
faith in Him, she knew that she would be healed if she could but touch
the hem of His garment, and the moment she touched it, His healing power
and virtue instantly made her whole. Her positive attitude of faith
in His Divine love and power brought her instant healing. She had no
reservations, doubts or fears about His power and love, she had her
point of contact with God settled, and God accepted it. Come to God
with the same positive faith in His mercy, love and power and He will
meet your need. The character of Jesus and the Father assures you that
they earnestly desire to make you whole.
The Scriptures reveal that a person who has great faith in God can
bring healing to another person. Mt.8v5-13. 9v1-8. N.B. v2. Acts.3v1-16.
14vv8-10. It is not long prayer, but believing prayer, that bring the
request that we desire. We read of the various levels of faith in God,
in the Bible. We read of temporary faith, Lk.8v13.; weak, or little
faith, Mt.6v30. 8v26. 14v29-31. Lk.22v31,32., and great faith, Mt.8v10.15v28.
Rom.4v16-21. The person that comes to God for healing obviously manifests
some faith in Him, but prevailing faith seeks God out until the answer
comes. Faith is a living contact with Jesus and the Father. Faith is
our capacity for God, and our confidence in God. Jesus said that the
person who believes God ALWAYS receives what they ask. Lk.11v5-13. Christ
said that if a person does not doubt in their heart, that is, there
is no laugh of unbelief, and asks in positive faith, they shall have
what they desire. Mk.11v22-24. Jn.14v12,13. 15v6,7.
2. BECAUSE OF CHRIST'S ATONEMENT THROUGH HIS DEATH ON THE CROSS.
a. The cross of Christ shows how earnestly God desires to heal us.
It is a wonderful fact that the lovely God of love died to redeem us
from all the effects of sin. The cross of Jesus causes us to confidently
expect healing from God. The God who gave His Son for us will also with
Him freely give us all things. Rom.8v32. Mt.11v27. 21v22. 19v26. 1Cor.3v21-23.
3John.v2. Rev.21v5,7. The redeeming work of Jesus is the basis of every
blessing the Christian receives. Christ's death was the foundation of
creation, Rev.13v8. 3v14., of redemption and all the blessing of the
new covenant. Heb.8v7-13. 9v11-28. 10v19-39.
Healing of the body is linked with forgiveness of sins and a covenant
relationship with God. Realise that Jesus redeemed us from all effects
of the sin and fall of man, and that as a result we can be healed if
we acknowledge Christ as our Saviour and Lord. Physical death and sickness
entered the world through sin, the cure is salvation in Jesus. Rom.5v12-21.
By coming to Christ in sincere repentance, we can know Him as Saviour
and healer. The Old Testament. types and prophesies, and the New Testament
fulfilment of those types and prophecies, prove that through the atonement
of Jesus we can be saved and healed.
b. We are in the year of Jubilee.
In Lk.4v19. we are told that Jesus said that His delivering love and
power in the age of grace was to be likened to "the acceptable
year of the Lord," that is, the year of Jubilee. Every fiftieth
year, or more precisely, on the tenth day of the seventh month of the
49th. year, on the great day of atonement, the sounding of the trumpets
proclaimed the year of release and redemption. Every inheritance throughout
Israel was restored to its former ancient family owner. All prisoners,
captives and slaves were given their freedom, and all debts were absolved.
The land, as on the Sabbath years, enjoyed a year of rest, and was not
sowed or reaped, its natural produce was the property of all, to partake
as they needed it. The blessing of God gave an abundant harvest to make
up for the deficiency of food due to the suspension of work in the seventh
year. The sixth year yielded a miraculous supply sufficient to meet
the need of three years. Lev.25v8-23. However, Lev.25v9., tells us that
no blessing of the year of Jubilee was to be announced by the sounding
of the trumpet, until the blood of the bullock slain as a sin offering
was sprinkled upon the mercy seat on the day of atonement. Through the
death and shed blood of Christ, the slaves and prisoners of sin, sickness
and Satan can know complete release and deliverance, rejoicing in the
forgiveness of their sin. What a wonderful Saviour and heavenly Father
we have! Hallelujah. Through Christ's atoning death salvation and healing
can be ours, so come to Jesus for salvation and healing and He will
give it to you on the grounds of His atoning death. Throughout the Scriptures
we see that it was the blood of the atonement that was the grounds of
healing. In Lev.14v18,19., we read that atonement was made for the lepers
cleansing, and we read in Numb.16v45-50., and 2Sam.24v10-25., of plagues
being stayed because of the atonement. Christ's death is the basis of
every blessing that we receive as Christians.
c. The uplifted type of the brazen serpent brought
healing, how much more the uplifted Son of God.
The bronze serpent was a type of Christ's atonement, and the Israelites
were healed through looking at it. Num.21v5-9. John.3v14-16. If forgiveness
and healing came to all who looked at the brazen serpent, the type of
Christ's atonement, then, surely, by looking to the fulfilment of that
type, our dear Lord Jesus, we can expect greater blessings than the
Israelites experienced through the type. Jn.3v14. 12v32. This proved
true in the ministry of Jesus, He healed all that came to Him of every
disease and sickness. Jesus is the Saviour who forgives ALL our in iniquities
and heals ALL our diseases. Ps.103v3.
In Exod.15v26., God promised to be "God the healer," and
though it is a conditional promise, like all the promises of God, it
reveals God as the healer of His people. Also similar promise is in
Exod.23v25,26., where God promises His obedient children, "I will
take sickness from the midst of thee and the number of thy days I will
fulfil," and again Ps.91v16., promises those who dwell in the secret
place of the Most High long life. Ps.90v10. These promises are conditional
upon the keeping of the moral law, and law of health laid down in the
law. Some would say that we cannot claim these Old Testament promises,
however, Jesus showed by His ministry that these promises are to be
extended even to the Gentiles in this new dispensation. Many such lovely
promises as Deut.33v25,27. Johua.1v5,9. Is.40v31. Ps.23 etc., given
originally to Israel, comfort and encourage Christ's Church today, we
can also find comfort and healing through such Old Testament promises
as Ex.15v26. Ex.23v25. Ps.103v3. These promises are "Yea and Amen"
in Christ, when we fulfil the conditions that God laid down with them.
2Cor.1v17-20.
d. The full fulfilment of Is.53v4. is healing for ALL,
as Mt.8v16,17. proves.
We read in the Gospels that Jesus healed all the sick in the multitudes
that came to Him. Mt.4v23-25. 9v35. to 10v1. 12v15. 14v34-36. Lk.6v17-19.
The inspired exposition of Is.53v4. in Mt.8v16,17., informs us that
Jesus healed all in the light of His atonement. Like the scapegoat,
Christ has borne away the sins and sicknesses of all who trust in Him
and His redeeming blood. Lev.16v22. It is foolish and unscriptural to
say that healing is not in the atonement. Jesus died to deliver us from
our sicknesses and pains as well as our transgressions and iniquities,
He comes to give us peace of body as well as peace of soul.
The outstanding Hebrew scholar Delitzsch, writes on Is.53v4.:- "Freely
but faithfully does the Gospel of Matthew translate this text, Himself
took our infirmities and carried our sicknesses.' The help which
Jesus rendered in all kinds of bodily sickness is taken in Matthew to
be the fulfilment of what in Isaiah is prophesied of the Servant of
Jehovah. The Hebrew verbs of the text, when used of sin, signify to
assume a heavy burden and bear away the guilt of sin, as one's
own; that is, to bear sin mediatorially in order to atone for it. But
here, where not our sins, but our sicknesses and pains are the object,
the mediatorial sense remains the same. It is not meant that the Servant
of Jehovah merely entered into the fellowship of our sufferings, but
that He took upon Himself the sufferings that we had to bear, and deserved
to bear; and, therefore, He not only bore them away, but also in His
own person endured them in order to discharge us from them. Now when
one takes sufferings upon himself which another had to bear, and does
this, not merely in fellowship with him, but in his stead, we call it
Substitution." End of quote.
The truth is indisputable, Christ's substitutionary death extends
to healing of the body as well as the soul. Delitzsch, one of the greatest
Hebrew scholars of all time, states there is a substitutionary and "mediatorial
sense" in the words of Is.53v4. In Is.53v4., the same two verbs,
"nasa," borne, and "sabal," carried, which are used
to tell us that Jesus "bore our sicknesses and carried our pains,"
are the identical verbs that are used in Is.53v11,12., to state that
Jesus bore our sins and iniquities for us as our substitute. This proves
that healing is one of the "all things" that are given to
us through our Lord's atonement. Rom.8v32.
In Is.53v4., "surely," is "aken," which means,
surely, indeed, certainly, and truly. It is worthy of note that the
only "surely" in the redemptive chapter of Is.53, is before
the promise of healing for the body, so we can "surely" expect
healing for our bodies as well as for our souls. This "surely"
is emphasised in Mt8v17., when Matthew says that the prophesy of Is.53v4.
was "fulfilled", it means that it was "filled full,"
that is, the full extent of its promise was revealed. The full extent
of the promise of Is.53v4., is healing for ALL who come to God for healing.
The Christ of the cross is the perfect remedy for all our needs, both
spiritual and physical. Through the shedding of Christ's blood, all
who believe are redeemed from the curse of the law. Gal.3v13. We can
claim healing on the grounds of Christ's atonement, just as we can claim
salvation from our sins, it is part of our salvation, it is a privilege
for all who believe in Jesus. Jesus said that most people will not believe
that God wants to heal them, so He did miracles to confirm that it is
God's will to heal those who come to Him for healing. Jn.4v48. God uses
the power and revelation gifts of the Holy Spirit to increase faith
and remove hindrances to healing. However, the following exceptions
to healing must be noted. We will not be healed if our time has come
to die; all the people Jesus healed are now dead, and Elisha died, even
though his body was so full of God's power that his bones could
raise the dead. 2Kings.13v14-21. Divine healing does not give us immortality.
We must also remember that Paul tells us that there can be Divine sickness
and death as well as Divine healing, through failure to examine our
lives and put things right with God. 1Cor.11v28-30. If we neglect our
bodies and health, we may also have to reap the consequences until we
learn better. Phil.2v24-30. 4v18,19.
When the angels came to the shepherds, they brought the best tidings
possible, "good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people,
for unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which
is Christ the Lord". Lk.2v10,11. The angelic choirs told of the
intense desire of God to bring peace to mankind because of His goodwill
and love. They proclaimed the greatest event of all history, God manifested
in flesh to save mankind. When Jesus came to show His goodwill and to
give His peace and salvation, what did He do? The gospels reveal that
Jesus saved and healed all who came to Him in faith, confessing their
need, He showed the wonderful goodwill of God, we never read of one
needy person being refused, the only stipulation that Jesus made was
that people came to Him in repentance and faith.
e. "Today is this Scripture fulfilled in your
ears." Lk.4v21.
When Jesus preached the sermon at Nazareth in Lk.4., His message proclaimed
the perfect benevolence and goodwill of God. He said, in effect, "Today,
you can prove the truth of Is.61v1,2. and 58v6., you can prove the goodness
of God in saving and healing power." TODAY He tells YOU that there
is deliverance for all the captives because of His atonement. When Jesus
read these Scriptures in the synagogue at Nazareth, He showed the will
of God in relation to deliverance from sin and sickness. Christ came
to preach salvation, to heal the sick and broken hearted, to deliver
Satan's captives, and set mankind at liberty. Christ came to bring salvation,
health, and happiness, He could say, "This day, is the Scriptures
filled full in your ears, through my ministry". Jesus showed God's
will for them and for us. He explained and demonstrated God's strong
desire to bless them. The tragedy was that they did not receive the
promised blessings offered to them by Jesus, because of their prejudice,
contemptuous familiarity, unspiritual carnal outlook, and rank unbelief,
and we can miss enjoying the promises of God and the blessings of Christ
by the same unbelief, ignorance, and unspiritual carnality. Mk.6v1-6.
f. There is Divine healing in invocation of God's covenant Names.
When the Lord made His covenant with Israel, He promised them healing
by invocation of His covenant Name of Yahweh. The original pronunciation
of the Divine Name has been kept secret by the Jews, however, Yahweh
is to be preferred to Jehovah, as the first part of the Divine name
is included in the well known exclamation of praise "Hallelu-Yah,"
Praise ye Yah. The covenant and redemptive name of Yahweh was the basis
of Israel's deliverance from Egypt. The covenant names of Yahweh
were given to Israel, and they witness to the glories of God, and His
presence, and supply to Israel. The redemptive names of Yahweh were
all revealed in the Jesus. When Yahweh tabernacled in human flesh as
Yahweh Jesus, He was Yahweh the Saviour and healer. Let us consider
the redemptive names of Yahweh and see how they apply to our Lord.
Yahweh-Jireh. "Yahweh will provide." Gen.22v14.
John.1v29. Acts.20v28. Rom.8v32.
Yahweh-Elohim. "Yahweh our God." Deut.6v4.
Yahweh-Adonai. "Yahweh our sovereign Lord."
Gen.15v2,8. etc.
Yahweh-Nissi. "Yahweh is my banner." Ex.17v15.
Jn.15v5. Mt.28v18-20. Mk.16v15-20.
Yahweh-Ropheka. "Yahweh that healeth thee".
Ex.15v26. cf. Acts.3v16 4v10 etc.
Yahweh-Mekaddishkim. "Yahweh who sanctifies
you." Ex.31v13. 1Cor.1v2. 1Pet.1v2.
Yahweh-Shalom. "Yahweh is peace." Judg.6v24.cf.Jn.14v1,27.
Acts.10v36. Phil.4v7.
Yahweh-Tsabaoth. "Yahweh of hosts." 1Sam.1v3.
etc. See Is.6v3,5. with John.12v37-41. N.B. v41 Is.45v21-23. with Rom.14v9-12.
Phil.2v10,11. Mt.28v18-20. Phil.2v6.
Yahweh-Elyon. "Yahweh Most High." Ps.7v17. Heb1v3. 7v1 Jude.v24,25.
Lk.8v28. Acts.16v17. Rev.5v11-13. Jn.13v13. 20v28. 1v1. Jn.1v2. Heb.1v8.
Rev.1v8,11. 22v13.
Yahweh-Rohi or Ra-ah. "Yahweh my shepherd."
Ps.23v1. Jn.10v11,14. Heb.13v20. 1Pet.2v25. 5v4.
Yahweh-Shammah. "Yahweh is there." Ez.48v35. Mt.18v19,20. Rev.21v3,4.
David rejoiced that he had claimed and proved Yahweh's covenant Name,
and through calling upon it in his own life-threatening experiences, had
added new concepts of the Divine Name through experiencing Divine deliverances.
David had called upon Yahweh to be his Rock, Fortress, Saviour, Deliverer,
Shield, Refuge, and High Tower. David, like multitudes of others, proved
the power and efficacy of the invocation of the Divine Name in his own
experience and trials, and it gave him an assurance in trial, and the
necessary qualifications to invoke that name for others. 2Sam.21v1-4,14-22.
Ps.18.
Yahweh-Tsidkenu. Jesus is "Yahweh our righteousness,"
He brings to us all the blessings of salvation. Jer.23v5,6. 33v15,16.
Rom.5v18. 10v3,4. 1Cor.1v30,31. 2Pet.1v1. All the redemptive names of
Yahweh are available to us through Christ's atonement.
Jesus is
Yahweh-Ropheka, Yahweh that healeth thee, because He died for us.
Ex.15v26. In 1Cor.10v1-4., and elsewhere, the deliverance from Egypt is
used as a type of salvation from the power of Satan and sin, in Jesus
we have the fullness of the type. The Israelites had the name Yahweh given
to them as the sign of their covenant relationship and authority, we have
the name of Jesus, that is, "Yahweh the Saviour," given to us on a covenant
relationship. Through the name of Jesus, Yahweh the Saviour, we can ask
anything of God the Father and receive it. Oh, the power of the name of
Jesus, and what tremendous blessings and great deliverances He brings
us. Jn.14v13. 16v23. 1Jn.5v14.
g. The ministry of Jesus and the early Church was not
limited to "healing meetings."
Healings took place almost everywhere and at any time; in street, home,
Temple, synagogue, and countryside. Indeed most of Christ's ministry
to the sick took place in the open air, His Divine love met a need wherever
He found it and He desires to meet our need today. Jesus came to redeem,
but He proved His purpose to redeem mankind from all the effects of
the fall through the healing of the sick. The tragedy of human physical
suffering was met by Divine love, He healed all that came to Him, He
met both spiritual and physical needs. Through His redeeming blood we
can be made whole in body, soul and spirit. The cross of the Lord Jesus
is the basis of the healing of our body as well as the healing of our
soul. We can confidently expect healing from the Lord Jesus on the basis
of His atonement.
3. BECAUSE SICKNESS IS AN EVIL THING.
Jesus earnestly desires to heal us, because sickness is an evil thing.
It is sometimes said to have produced good results in the character
of some children of God, however, fighting any kind of evil thing, like
resisting Satan, develops spiritual muscles, but it does not alter the
fact that sickness is an evil thing, and some diseases are particularly
evil.
A. Sickness is an enemy of God's perfect will of wholeness.
Wholeness of body, soul and spirit is the will of Divine love. 1Thes.5v23.
3Jn.v2. This is proved by the following facts.
a. The original perfection of God's creation shows God's will for wholeness.
the fall of angels and men made creation subject to "vanity" and unreality.
In Rom.8v20., "vanity," is "mataiotes," from "mataios," empty, vain; creation
no longer fulfils its original design, and is at present in a temporary
unreal and depraved condition. "Mataiotes only occurs in two other places
in the New Testament, it is used in Eph.4v17., to describe the vain depraved
attitude of mind of the unconverted Gentiles; and in 2Pet.2v18., of the
"great swelling words of vanity" of morally depraved false teachers. Sin
and sickness have made the whole creation groan, it waits in hope for
the manifestation of the sons of God. Rom8v18-23. Wholeness will be restored
to creation at Christ's return, sickness will be permanently banished
from God's eternal kingdom. Is.11v1-10. 65v17-25. Rev.21v4. 22v3.
b. God laid down laws of health in His law to preserve health.
His desire is that man should be whole. He gave laws of rest, food, hygiene,
sanitation and quarantine as well as the moral law. Prov.4v20-22. Ex.15v26.
c. The human body reveals God's perfect will of health, it is self
healing.
d. There is perfect health in heaven, and Jesus told us to pray that
His kingdom would come upon earth.
e. Christ revealed God's will for good health by healing all that came
to Him, and the early Church did likewise. Jesus said, Jn.20v21.,
"as my Father has sent me, even so I send you". cf. Jn.17v18. Today is
God's day of salvation and healing.
f. The healing of sickness glorifies God, not sickness. It is the
healing of sickness shows His perfectly loving will and character. Mk.2v12.
Mt.15v31. Jn.11v4,40,45. The glory of God is His complete dedication and
sacrificial love for His creation.
g. Christ's cross shows us that God's will for us is healing. Mt.53v4.
with Mt.8v16,17. It is God's will to save us from sin and all the effects
of sin, and to give us His good gifts and good things. Mt.7v11. Lk.11v13.
We can clearly see that the wholeness is the will and strong desire of
the God of love for His creation; sickness and death are enemies of His
perfect will. 1Cor.15v26.
B. Sickness is a captivity and bondage.
God says sickness is an oppression of Satan, from which Jesus came
to set us free. Acts.10v38. Jn.8v36. Jesus came to destroy Satan's
evil works and set his captives gloriously free. 1Jn.3v8. Lk.4v17-21.
Job suffered a captivity due to sickness at the hands of Satan, and
after Job's faith was tested and improved, God delivered him and healed
him. A delay in healing brought Job spiritual enrichment of character,
and increase in faith. Job.2v7-13. 42v10. Christ healed a woman who
had suffered the bondage of sickness from Satan for 18 years, and made
it quite clear to the hypocritical religious leaders of His day, that
it was God's will to release people from the bondage of their sickness.
Lk.13v10-17. N.B. v16. Jesus is just the same today, He will set you
free from bondage of sin and sickness.
C. Sickness is a curse and chastening-rod of the law.
Sickness is spoken of as a curse and chastisement on those who break
the law. Deut.28v15-29. 45-48. 58-68. Those who live in sin can expect
its evil fruits, breaking God's health and moral laws has caused much
of the sickness in the world today. The way of the transgressor is hard.
Prov.13v2,15. What a person sows they must surely reap. Gal.7v7,8. Jesus
has redeemed us from the curse of the law, and through repentance and
faith in Him, we can be saved and healed. Gal.3v13,14. God may allow
sickness to chasten sinful believers if they persist in sin, however,
God's perfect will is to redeem us all from the curse of the law, and
for this cause Christ died for us, and through His death we can enjoy
healing of soul and body. 1Cor.11v29-32.
4. THE CAUSES OF SICKNESS.
A. The basic cause of sickness is the sin of Adam.
Because of the sin of Adam, we no longer have access to the tree of
life which kept the body in perfect health. Gen.2v9,16,17. 3v1-24. Ez.47v7-12.
Rev.22v2. All sickness goes back to Adam's sin as the basic cause, it
brought sorrow, sickness and death into the world. Rom.5v12-14. Human
heredity passes on more and more physical weakness, and is in itself
a major cause of sickness, so sickness may not be due to a person's
own sin but to heredity.
B. Sickness can be due to a person's own sin.
Sin may be the cause of a person's sickness, but it is not necessarily
so, as James.5v15. tells us, "IF he hath committed sins they shall
be forgiven him". Children die of sickness before they have sinned,
and some of God's saints have suffered sickness and physical infirmity
even though their lives were blameless. Job.2v3. Lk.1v6,7. Leaving these
considerations aside we can certainly say that sin effects the complicated
workings of the mind and body, things like bad temper and bitterness
of spirit can cause severe sickness in time. 1Pet.4v1-5. The breaking
of God's moral law will bring disease. Deut.28v15,58-61. Mk.2v5-11.
Bad living will certainly bring its evil reward. The doctors tell us
that there are literally millions of people who become ill because they
drink heavily, smoke, and lead immoral lives. Millions of people have
died because they smoke tobacco, most of them with heart disease, but
about half of this number die from cancer of the lung, throat and other
organs. It pays to live a clean life for God. If a sick person has sin
in their life, they should repent of it and come to Christ in humility
and contrition for cleansing and healing.
Sins like envy, greed and bitterness, can be just as devastating to
the health as the drunkenness, smoking, and immorality. Sins of the
spirit are sometimes more devastating and more difficult to deal with
than the sins of the flesh. Mt.21v28-32. The most dangerous sin of all
is rebellion against God, this can bring sickness, or even death. Miriam.
Numb.12v1-13. Asa. 2Chron.16v1-14.; Ananias and Sapphira. Acts.5v1-11.;
The Corinthians. 1Cor.11v30.. See Ps.107v17. The strong desire of God
is to deliver us from our sins and sickness, by bringing us into sweet
communion with Himself.
C. Sickness can be due to Satan. Acts.10v38. John.10v10.
The Scriptures state that evil spirits can be a cause of some sickness,
infirmity, deafness, blindness, dumbness, madness and epilepsy. Mt.4v23,24.
8v28-34. 9v32-34. 12v22-24. 15v21-28. 17v14-21. with Mk.9v25. Lk.4v31-36.
But here we need to give a definite warning, to attribute every sickness
to the Devil and demons is both unscriptural and unbalanced. Jesus Himself
only considered some sickness to be caused by demons, for as we see
in Mt.4v23,24. and elsewhere, ordinary sickness is clearly distinguished
from demon possession. Sickness can have a natural cause, and is seldom
due to demon possession or oppression. Demons can oppress and afflict
people with sickness without possessing them, and sometimes, like Job,
even God's children may sometimes suffer physical trials of faith because
of their activities. Job.2v4-7. Lk.13v11-16. 1Cor.5v5. Don't ascribe
everything you suffer to demons or Satan, your sickness will usually
have a perfectly natural cause. Evil spirits have other activities beside
causing sickness, and disease of the soul is their main aim and their
most dangerous work. Mt.4v1-12. 2Cor.4v4. Demons manifest themselves
as unclean spirits, lying spirits, seducing spirits, familiar spirits
and as spirits of infirmity that cause physical illness. Mk.1v23,24.
2Chron.18v22. 1Tim.4v1-3. Lev.19v31. 20v6. Deut.18v12.
N.B. It is an abomination to God, to say that a person
has a demon when they do not have one.
Demon possession is rare even among worldly people, for God's decrees
and kindness and care extend even to the worldling, "The Highest:
is kind to the unthankful and to the evil." Lk.6v35. Mt.5v45. God
puts an iron hand of restraint upon the powers of darkness and even
protects the worldling from the malice of Satan and his angels. 2Thes.2v7.
Acts.14v15-17. 17v27,28.
Some people who are praying for the sick say a person has a demon,
just to cover up their ignorance of a true cause. This kind of thing
can cause real agony of mind in a person who is suffering from some
quite natural cause of sickness and is neither demon possessed or oppressed.
Particular care has to be taken with people who may be nervous, run
down, unable to cope with life, or suffering from some mental illness
due to brain damage or weakness of the body. The Bible clearly distinguishes
between "lunatic" and those "possessed with devils".
Mt.4v23,24. All epilepsy, mental illness, or breakdown is not due to
demon possession or demon oppression. A Christian praying for the sick
has to be spiritually equipped to discern whether a person is suffering
sickness as a result of demon possession, demon oppression, or natural
illness.
We must distinguish between sickness which is the result of oppression
from outside of the body and demon possession. The best Christian may
suffer sickness as a result of an attack of demon oppression. Job.2v4-7.
To hurt people by saying that they have a demon when they have no such
thing, is very wrong, and for this kind of thing we shall have to answer
to God. If a Christian has real power with God, it will cause the demons
to manifest themselves if they are in a person. Very often a person
praying for a demon possessed person, or a demon oppressed person, will
be able to deal with the demon without anybody else knowing it. The
revelation of the demon influence and the removal of that demon influence,
can take place through silent prayer in the heart of the person praying
for the sick, without anybody knowing it, or anybody being hurt or disturbed.
At other times when demons openly manifest themselves in public, they
have to be dealt with openly. Christ never demanded faith from people
who were mentally ill, or who were out of their senses because of the
oppression or possession of demons.
Some people place an invalid emphasis on demons when dealing with sickness,
we should be positive and talk about Christ. If we walk with Christ,
God will give us the power to discern and deal with demons who are causing
sickness and opposing the work of God. However, as Mk.9v14-18., makes
clear, dealing with some evil spirits needs real faith and much prayer.
whatever you do don't suffer from "demonitis," don't be looking
for demons in everything, or blame everything on demons. There can be
other causes of sickness, and very often sickness can be due to our
own actions, which brings us to our next point.
D. Sickness can be due to neglect, abuse, or overloading
of the body.
God's law was very practical, it gave directions on rest, correct diet,
hygiene, sanitation, quarantine, as well as moral and ceremonial law.
If we ignore God's laws of health we can expect to be ill. God will
not allow us to overload our bodies, even in His service, without reaping
the consequences, as Epaphroditus found out, overwork will bring ill
health. Phil.2v25-30. 1Cor.6v13-20. Ps.107v8-15. ps.127v2. God expects
us to be practical, wise, and sensible. Some people do not need healing,
they need to exercise common sense in their activities, work, rest,
diet and habits. Lack of sleep food, rest, and too much strain placed
upon the body by fasting, work, or any other activity, will cause us
to reap a harvest of sickness. We have to realise our physical limitations.
Many good Christian men and women have made themselves ill by overloading
their bodies in the work of God, and as a result have had to have long
periods of recuperation when they could do little for God. For example,
the Bible tells us "to fast and pray", not, "to fast
and work". Excessive fasting and long fasts are definitely out
for working people and busy ministers of the Gospel. Semi-fasting as
in Daniel.10v1,2., is the rule for busy people. Many other people eat
far more than is good for them, and do not eat the foods that are nutritious,
and as a result are ill.
Many people are ill because of the neglect of others, nervous disorders
can be due to lack of companionship or creative activity. They can also
be due to a person not being able to cope with life and its difficult
circumstances and emotional conflicts. In such cases a person may need
not only healing but help and Christian love demonstrated in a practical
way. Let such people particularly remember the invitation of our lovely
Lord Jesus, "Come unto me and I will give you rest". Mt.11v28.
E. Sickness can be due to the natural ageing of the
body.
This follows on very well from the last point, for if a person neglects
or abuses their body in their youth, they will find sickness coming
upon them as a result of this as they grow older . The natural ageing
processes of the body are the cause of much illness, particularly if
there has been sinful indulgence in the form of smoking, drinking, surfeiting,
and immorality, or the body has been weakened by overwork or neglect.
As we get older we have to place less of a load upon our bodies, or
we can expect to be sick. Divine healing does not restore the vitality
of youth. The aged need more rest, and to be stayed upon Jehovah to
have perfect peace and rest of soul to meet life's bereavements, and
the weakness and problems of old age. Ps.90v10-12. Natural ageing causes
the death of all people, organs of the body cease to function because
they are worn out and the person dies. Until the kingdom of God comes
upon earth and the ages of ages begin, it is appointed that men die.
Heb.9v27.
We cannot expect Divine healing to make a person young, or to stop
them from dying when their time has come to die, but we can expect an
aged person to have the good health that they can expect at their age.
Not many have the physical vigour and strength in old age that Moses
and Caleb enjoyed, but few have had the walk with God that these men
enjoyed, and doubtless it was their deep communion with God and their
obedience to His law that kept them physically strong in old age. Deut.34v7.
Joshua.14v7-15. N.B.v10,11. However, as Ps.90v10. makes clear, this
is not the lot of all, it states that the infirmity of old age can be
a trial even to the child of God, and that death can bring a sweet release.
2Cor.5v1-10. 2Tim.4v6-8. Philemon.v9. The limitations even of a healthy
youthful body are indeed very great and cause us to groan and long for
our heavenly glorified body, a body like unto that of our glorious Lord
Jesus. Phil.3v20,21.
F. Sickness can be due to bacteria and viral infections,
and industrial poisoning.
The body can invaded by virus and bacteria and poisons or chemicals,
these can cause temporary or permanent ill-health and even death. Working
in certain industries results in many people suffering from the industrial
disease associated with that industry. God laid down in His law, directions
on quarantine, sterilisation and hygiene, to protect His people from
infectious disease due to virus and bacteria. His desire was that His
people should not only be healed from their diseases, but that they
should avoid becoming ill by keeping the sound medical measures laid
down in His law. God directs us to use preventative medicine, in the
form of adequate re
st, correct diet, sterilisation, hygiene, quarantine and by having
a heart full of the love and joy of the Lord. However, if we do become
sick, our dear Lord Jesus can heal our every disease and sickness.
G. Sickness can be due to injury, accident, war, or
the evil actions of others.
We are in a world full of imperfect and sinful men and women, and accidents
can happen through folly, ignorance, wrong judgement or natural disaster,
and people receive injuries that are fatal or produce permanent disability
or sickness. War is another frightful enemy of health and well-being;
millions suffer today because of this evil thing that comes out of the
perversity of the human will.James.4v1,2. How wonderful to read of cases
like that of the person in Kathryn Kulman's marvellous book, "I
Believe in Miracles". (Publishers, Oliphants, )He was suffering
and dying from severe and extensive war injuries, but he was instantly
healed by the Lord Jesus in Kathryn Kulman's meeting. If you want a
real blessing get this book, it tells over twenty other such miracles,
these were chosen because they were medically proven and had been proved
by the test of time as well.
There is not only injury of body but there is also injury of soul and
spirit, a person can be so tried by the evil actions and words of others,
that it makes them sick and ill and even results in organic disease.
if you are in this condition, our dear Lord Jesus can make you whole
and give you His peace. Sometimes Christians have to suffer this kind
of persecution for their Lord's sake. Paul knew what it was to bear
in his body the injuries received through serving his Lord. Gal.6v17.
He had suffered persecution, beatings, stoning, and vicious opposition
for his Lord, and he died a martyrs death for Christ. 2Cor.11v23-33.
2Tim.4v6. Torture and martyrdom has been the lot of multitudes of Christians
throughout Church history, and it is the lot of many Christians today.
When we suffer physically as a result of persecution for Christ's sake,
we can and should rejoice. Mt.5v11,12. Acts.5v40-42. 13v50-52. As Peter,
Paul, George Fox and others have proved, Christ can deliver us from
the hatred of men, or heal us after that hatred has caused severe injury.
Acts.12v1-23. compare v2 with v11. Our dear Lord Jesus suffered torture
and death for us, it is the privilege of Christians to suffer for their
Lord's sake, as well as to minister to the needy the healing power and
love of Christ. Rom.8v17. 2Tim.2v9-12. 1Pet.2v18-25. 3v14-18. Rev.2v10.
Now we have considered the causes of sickness let us go on to consider
the means by which Christ heals a person.
5. THE MEANS BY WHICH GOD HEALS A PERSON.
Having shown that the causes of sickness spring out of the fall of
man, and that it is the intense desire of God to save, heal, and to
deliver us from all the effects of the fall, we will now briefly consider
the means by which Christ heals a person. God communicates His healing
power in various ways and so we need to be led by Him when we minister
to the sick. Jesus healed the sick in various ways, He usually laid
His hands upon the sick, but sometimes He said a word of commanding
faith, or directed a person to perform a certain act. We need to be
led of the Spirit like our Lord. Above all, remember that Divine healing
is not achieved by employing spiritual techniques, formulas, or methods;
it is achieved by a person meeting with God and partaking of His life.
The following are the means by which the healing power of God can be
received.
A. Healing from God can be received through personal
prayer.
Through their own prayer of personal faith, directly from the Lord
Jesus. Is.38v1-22. Jn.14v11-15. 15v4-14.
B. Healing from God can be received by the prayers
of others.
This is usually accompanied by the laying on of hands. healing can
take place through the prayers of Spirit-filled, believers, who are
powerfully filled with the Holy Spirit. Mk.16v17,18. However, in the
Church it is usually the responsibility of the local elders, who should
pray for the sick after anointing them with oil. James.5v14-20. The
ministry of apostles, prophets, teachers and evangelists can also convey
a gift of healing. Those who pray for the sick need to be powerfully
filled with the Holy Spirit when they are praying for the sick. Acts.6v8.
The Lord Jesus was so filled with heavenly healing power, that a touch
from Him or His garments was all that was necessary for the healing
of the sick on many occasions. Mt.9v29,30. 14v35,36. Lk.8v43-48.
C. Healing from God can be received by prayer cloths.
Acts.19v11,12.
This was an unusual means, these were 'special miracles', that demanded
living faith, real spiritual power and great compassion in the apostle
Paul, and heart preparation in the sick person or their friends and
relatives. The sending of prayer cloths is nothing more than a spiritual
gimmick, if the person who prays over them has no real spiritual power
and acts without God's direction. In Acts19v11,12., "special miracles"
were performed to meet special needs and they were doubtless directed
by special revelation. As Elisha's staff was no good in the hands of
an insincere, powerless, and backslidden Gehazi; so imitations of Paul's
prayer cloths will do little or no good unless the person sending them
is full of the power of God and directed of God, and the person receiving
the cloth is seeking God with their whole heart. 2Kings.4v25-37. N.B.
v26,31. The Shunammite women had no confidence in Gehazi holding Elisha's
staff, v29,30., she wanted and demanded the real thing, a man in touch
with God, manifesting all the gifts of the Spirit, not a pretender,
and the sick have the right to demand the same.
D. Healing from God can be received by the performance
of a Holy Spirit directed action.
Naaman was healed by dipping in Jordan seven times at the command of
God through His servant Elisha. 2Kings.5v9-27. The Israelites were healed
by looking to the brazen serpent. Numb.21v5-9. The blind man was healed
by washing the clay from his eyes in the pool of Siloam. Jn.v1-15. The
ten lepers were healed as they went to the priests in obedience to the
command of Christ. Lk.17v12-19. The deaf man with an impediment in his
speech was also healed in an unusual way. Mk.7v32-37. God directed Jesus
to heal in various ways, so we need to be prepared to let God guide
us in the same way.
E. Healing from God can be received through a spoken
word of commanding faith.
A word of commanding faith can bring healing to those who are sick,
whether they be present or absent. It is a word of commanding faith
based on the revelation of God's word, and perhaps on spiritual revelation
by the gifts of the Holy Spirit as well. cf. Mt.8v8. Jn.11v41-44. Christ
spoke with a gentle voice to the widow of Nain's son and the daughter
of Jairus, and with a loud voice to Lazarus, but the effect was exactly
the same. A great voice is no indication of spiritual power, it is the
results of our prayers that reveal our spiritual authority and power
with God. Any false pretence of spiritual power is soon shattered by
meeting with the very sick or the chronic invalid. To decree things
in the name of Jesus, or to use the name of Jesus as a formula, without
having any communion with God, or any God-given power and authority
will produce little or no results. We have to abide in Christ to have
results and fruit that remains.Jn.15v7,8,16.
CLICK HERE FOR NEXT PAGE....