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Healing is the Children’s Bread

Last time I shared how I disagree with the methods and teachings of some prosperity and “word of faith” preachers today. That is not to say that everything they teach about faith and healing is wrong. In fact, I have been greatly encouraged by their emphasis on aspects of the New Testament that are often neglected or overlooked.

That is why I would like to offer encouragement to anyone reading this who is in distress — financially, physically, relationally, emotionally or otherwise. The whole Bible is a wonderful source of hope for every situation. The New Testament is a terrific place to start for many of us, mainly because Christ, who is foreshadowed in the Old Testament is more clearly revealed in the New.

Please do not forsake the Old Testament. There are aspects of the New that cannot be fully understood without it. Not only that, but the powerful testimonies it contains are immensely faith-building. This the subject we are addressing, faith and how it can help you in your life. The faith we are discussing is faith in God. This faith comes by hearing, hearing by His Word. (Romans 10:17)

Everything you can learn about faith, including from yours truly, is second hand. You have a better source. The very Word of God. I am not talking about a quick fix, but something that can permanently change your life, your outlook and your future.

All I am suggesting is to begin reading the four Gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, and the Book of Acts as well. Read them with the focus on the greatness and glory of God in Christ. Try and take in all the wonder, the mighty deeds, the depth of His love and compassion, and the possibilities He is presenting to you personally.

Make the conscious decision to believe the Words of Jesus, the testimony and teachings of His apostles, and to allow your life to be changed by them. Think seriously and deeply about the truth of the Gospel. This is not about abandoning reason or comment sense. It is about surrendering yourself to your all-wise, all-powerful and all-loving Father God. He will lead you and teach you and build your faith in Him more effectively than anyone else can!

So what do you think? Are these recommendations worth considering?

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Who sinned?

As He (Jesus) passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he would be born blind?”

Jesus answered, “{It was} neither {that} this man sinned, nor his parents; but {it was}so that the works of God might be displayed in him.(John 9:1-3 NAS)

Recently I was listening to a teaching concerning divine healing which caused me to be so grateful for the Biblical instruction that I have received over the years. Before I go any further, let me say that I believe that Jesus Christ is the same, yesterday, today and forever. He is our Savior, Lord, Healer and Baptizer in the power of the Holy Spirit. We are instructed to pray to the Father in His Name for help in every time of need. All things are possible to those who believe in Him! He has healed me and my loved ones numerous times and I rejoice every time and in every way He demonstrates His love to anyone in this way!

My concern today is only that we should be careful not to misrepresent the Lord in our efforts to inspire others to believe and pray to experience His healing power. Recently I have been exposed to evidence that certain errors are misrepresenting the Lord today.

Many people are being told that any disease or sickness they are suffering is directly related to some specific secret sin or negative heart condition they possess. When people are not healed by the healing ministry, the blame is often placed on the sick person. Since they believe it is always God’s will to heal everyone, they assume the fault must be in us.

Some are even taken into a psychotherapy session in which they try to uncover the root of the sickness in the individuals heart. The Scripture is used as a diagnostic tool in the following way: I was told that since Proverbs 14:30 states that “envy rots the bones,” a person with a Osteoporosis must be harboring envy.

My response was that all believers need to know the freedom that comes from full surrender to Him, whether they are sick in body or not. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the power of God unto salvation from every visible or hidden sin! Yes, there are known connections between our mental and emotional state, and our physical health. But Jesus Himself proved that it is wrong to assume that sickness is always the result of someone’s personal sin!

Consider James 5:14-16:
Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.(NAS)

IF he has committed sins…

Jesus did not say that the blind man and his parents never, ever sinned. He simply stated that his blindness was not due to their sin. I think this would apply to James also. If a person was sick due to any unconfessed sin, that would be forgiven as the Lord restored his physical health.

In the New Testament, I cannot find many of the methods and techniques used today which frankly resemble the practices of the cults more than Biblical faith. Jesus and his disciples healed people under all kinds of circumstances. Some had great faith, others just desperation. One common denominator was their cries for help. The other, and most important, was the compassion in the Heart of Jesus!

All of us, whether young and healthy, or old and ailing, all of us need God’s grace and mercy. What a relief to know that we can place our full trust and confidence in Him for every need, whether physical, mental, emotional, relational, or financial! Our past, present and future are all in His generous, capable and loving hands!