Subject: If we ask for healing does God answer no |
Bible Note: Greetings Mitch! One more point my friend! :-) You wrote: "I can not understand how you think God CAN heal, yet that at times he just choses not to." Allow me to provide examples of where God did exactly this very thing. Remember Job? God could have healed him (or even have prevented him from getting sick to begin with) but He did not for a time. Why? I know that you have already discussed Paul's thorn in the flesh. Whatever the ultimate outcome, the fact remains that God allowed Paul to have the thorn in the flesh (at least for a time). Why did He do this if it is always God's will to heal? We have already discussed God's covenant promise to Israel for healing, but were you aware that God also promised to bring sickness upon them if they did not keep His covenant? Read Deut. 28:61. How about Lazarus? John 11:1 tells us that he was sick and died. God allowed him to die of sickness! Why, if it is always God's will to heal? Paul says in 2 Tim. 4:20 that he 'left Trophimus sick in Miletus'. Why? These are just a few examples, some of which we know ended well. However, if your premise is true that it is always God's will to heal, then none of these people should have ever been sick to begin with! ;-) This is the primary theological problem with this particular doctrine. If healing is part of the atonement, then it should come automatically the moment someone becomes a Christian - just as forgiveness of sins comes automatically through the atonement. However, Christians still get sick. Christians still have defects. Christians even still die! This is proof positive that physical healing is not always God's will for our lives. God works to bring glory to Himself. He allowed Job to be afflicted so that He might receive more glory. He allowed Lazarus to die that He might receive more glory. If it is God's will to heal me and receive glory, then I will praise Him. If it is God's will for me to suffer that He might receive more glory, then I will praise Him. If it is God's will that I die that He might receive more glory, then I will praise Him with my dying breath. This is true faith! True faith doesn't dictate to God what He must do. True faith serves Him regardless of what God chooses to do. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |