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.

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