I recently had an opportunity to discuss the subject of healing with a few Christians on this site. I wasn't prepared for what transpired. The views surrounding 'present day' healings were strangely diverse. I'm using this particular post, (related to healing), to expound on my understanding of healing according to the scriptures.
I firmly believe that the Gift of healing was given in accordance with
I Corinthians 12:28
...first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then
those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help ...
I also believe that Faith plays an important part in receiving healing, in accordance with
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen..
We use faith when we pray, believing that God hears and answers. We use faith when we ask, believing we will receive what we've asked for according to His will, and faith is involved in deliverence from bondages and in healing. Jesus was approached by His disciples after their unsuccessful attempts to cast out a demon. Jesus was asked by the disciples, why couldn't we cast him out? Jesus replied, in Matthew 17:20 -
..."because of your lack of faith"...
Matthew 21:22
...And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. ..
In another passage, Jesus didn't do many works in a particular area, because of their unbelief (Matthew 13:58). (unbelief, in this verse, was not referring to failing to believe on the Messiah, but rather a recognized, distinct lack of faith)
In Matthew 9:28
Jesus asked, as he was approached by blind men, " Do you believe I am able to do this" ? (This question was specifically addressing the issue of faith or belief in Jesus' ability to perform the healing)
Is this an opportunity for believers to measure the faith of others? Absolutely not ! Does healing reflect a person's righteousness or level of holiness?? Not at all. Unbelievers were healed in Jesus' time as well as today. Does a person's apparent inability to receive healing indicate that it is God's will for them to suffer, or die? Surprisingly, for some, the answer to that question would be, I don't know, Maybe, or even Yes! Most who subscribe to this philosophy, cling to the idea that once a person has waited for a long enough time, this should be an indication that it may be the will of God for them to remain in their present condition, placing an expiration date, so to speak, on their request for healing. Once again, the word of God does not support this theory or philosophy.
Healing is available as part of the covenant we have with God through Jesus Christ. If a person avails themselves of the blood bought right to believe for healing, it is their choice to do so. If someone decides that there time would be better spent ministering to those with similar conditions to their own, that is also a conscious choice that every believer has the right to make for his/her own life, and one should not condemn the other for their belief, or their choice.
Those who decide to persecute those who maintain a belief that it is God's will to heal, certainly have their work cut out for them in finding New Testament scriptures indicating that it is Gods will for a person to suffer or to die of sickness. I boldly maintain that, while some suffer as a result of self inflicted illnesses and poor health choices, my belief remains unchanged, in believing that sickness is rooted in the curse, not the blessing, (Deut. 28), and that it is satan who kills and destroys, not Jesus.(John 10:10).
Each person has the right to ask, but no matter the what the outcome or experience is, we are not afforded the right to create new philosophies and doctrines which eliminate the words of Christ, which should be respected as absolute truth.
There are those who have tried to convince me that, on occassion, God will 'allow' a debilitating affliction, with no hope of healing, so that he can complete his purpose in that individuals life, or so that they will be better able to minister to individuals with similar sicknesses. The justification is also sometimes used, that an injury or debilitating illness is so disfiguring, that the only option for that individual would be ministry or to simply live with the disfigurment. I believe that this is simply an indication of how far from faith we have fallen.
There is nothing supporting the belief that God 'allows' sickness to disable an individual for the purpose of ministry. I love my brothers and sisters in Christ, but this belief is based on personal intellectualizing, speculation, and unfounded assumption. These non-biblical beliefs can only be supported by 'personal experiences' and 'logical conclusions'.
Some have used the thorn in Paul's flesh to support this unfounded philosophy regarding 'purpose in permanent sickness'. Let's examine it to see what it really says:
II Corinthians 12:7 (spoken by Paul)
God has given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of satan, to torment me, lest I be exalted above measure.
This was clearly a means through which the Lord kept Paul from becoming conceited, because of the great revelations he received. The thorn is not defined as sickness, but an unnamed tormenting messenger. A messenger is a demon, and I certainly don't subscribe to the idea that every sickness is a demon.
Another favorite, sometimes referred to, is, Paul's illness, found in Galations 4:13 -
As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you. Even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God..... 15 I can testify that, if you could have done so, you would have torn out your eyes and given them to me....
This is an indication that Paul did suffer with an illness. For how long? There are many conditions which might affect the eyes, blurred vision, conjunctivitis (pink eye), and many others. The truth of the matter is, Pauls purpose was not in his sickness, and there is no indication that this sickness was the 'thorn in Paul's flesh', (referred to in the previous scripture), but the sickness (for however long it lasted), was the reason he went to Galatia. To use this possibly 'short term' illness, to support the theory that God uses sickness to create ministries, is a considerable stretch.
I am not implying, in any way, that every sickness which results in death or the loss of body function, is an indication that an individual is cursed or excedingly sinful or that they lack in God's favor. How devils maneuver and accuse, in order to attack and harm individuals, is a mystery, but I for one, will place the blame where it belongs, squarely on satan, and Jesus needs no help from him in reaching the lost.