Healing of the Body and the Christian
Dear brother/sister, just a few words of encouragement about the healing of the body in the Christian life. As we with chronic pain tend to get easily discouraged at times.
I don't think it is always a fault, or the lack of faith, or an un-confessed and un-repented sin that a believer is not healed.
Some passages in the NT would indicate the same -
"...I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus". 2 Timothy 4:20b
"...a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me". 2 Corinthians 12:7b-9
"And his disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him". John 9:2,3
And one passage even shows Paul encouraging Timothy to use some medicine for his frequent (chronic) stomach problems. He said nothing about claiming the healing in the atonement of Christ. It could be that he had Luke "the beloved physician" beside him while writing to Timothy -
"No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments". 1 Timothy 5:23
Saying all this, I do believe the Lord heals his children in his time, his way, and sometimes takes his time with us, or by his "grace" sustains us in our pain. Plus, I do think our generation doesn't seek the Lord with the intensity of previous generations, especially in 1600, 1700 and 1800s.
So, i think we have much to learn from those that went before us -
"Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith". Hebrews 13:7
Trials of Job have taught him patience, but above all to trust and love Yahweh, the Lord.
And "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ". Romans 10:17
In the light of this it would also do us good to study James 5:13-18, as it is a promise of God's willingness and power to heal upon "the prayer of faith".
But remember my friend, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers." Romans 8:28,29
Dear friends, be of good cheer "in Christ".
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Comments
that is very true
You could also add the many times that Jesus healed people and did not mention any sin or shortcoming in the person, compared with the very few times that he told them to sin no more. In fact when the woman who had an issue for 12 years was healed, he said it was Satan who was to blame, not the sin of the woman.
I think the fact of the matter is that we are living in a fallen world, and although the kingdom of God is already here in power, it is only begun, and will not be completed until heaven. Christians still suffer other things like road accidents and financial problems as well, since it is a fallen world we live in.
John 9
Thanks Andrew. I think John 9 would be one example of it. But yes, there are many examples of it in the Scriptures and in everyday life. Though the opposite is true too, that God does discipline his kids, in love; as every good parent does for the bad they do. And examples of it are in 1 Corinthians 11; James 5... But his mercies never fail even his bad kids. The Psalmist says, "He does not despise his people that are prisoners", probably for the wrong the Israel has done, and were captured to slavery.