Subject: If we ask for healing does God answer no |
Bible Note: Healing...A Gracious Privilege 'Divine Healing: The Privilege of All Believers 'Just as salvation is by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8), so all God’s blessings and gifts are ours by His grace or unmerited favor. We do not earn them. We do not deserve them. 'No one in the New Testament demanded healing. People came to Jesus beseeching Him. They did not look on healing as their right, but as a gracious privilege extended to them. 'As the privilege of believers, the promise of healing does not rule out suffering for Christ’s sake and the gospel’s. We are expected to be prepared to follow His example (Hebrews 5:8; 1 Peter 2:19,21; 4:12—14,19). 'Nor are we to look to divine healing as a substitute for obedience to the rules of physical and mental health. Jesus recognized the need of the disciples to get away from the crowds and rest awhile (Mark 6:31). Jethro saw that if Moses did not delegate some of his responsibilities to others, he would wear away (Exodus 18:18). 'Neither is divine healing a means of avoiding the effects of old age. Moses did retain a clear eye and his natural strength until the day of his death (Deuteronomy 34:7). But this privilege was not granted to King David (1 Kings 1:1—4). 'The gradual breakdown of old age, pictured so graphically in Ecclesiastes 12:1—7, is the common experience of believers as well as unbelievers. Healing is still available to the aged, but the part that is healed usually continues to age like the rest of the body. We do not yet have the redemption of the body. 'Even we who have the firstfruits of the Spirit groan and travail in pain like the rest of creation, waiting patiently for the fulfillment of our hope (Romans 8:21—25). No matter what we do for this body, no matter how many times we are healed, if Jesus tarries we shall die. 'However, the Bible does not tell us this to discourage us, but to make us realize that we must encourage and cultivate our life in the Spirit, for the Spirit quickens (resurrects), and that is our real hope (Romans 8:11). In fact, even though outwardly one is perishing, inwardly one is being renewed day by day (2 Corinthians 4:16).' ____________________ To read more go to: (http://ag.org/top/beliefs/position_papers/4184_healing.cfm#top) |