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NASB | Romans 8:28 ¶ And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 8:28 ¶ And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. |
Subject: Is God's will prosperity/healing always? |
Bible Note: Dear graceful, Here are some thoughts I've arrived at in my study of your question. I'll preface it by saying that I do not believe it wrong for a believer to to succeed or prosper financially or physically. It goes to motive. Are we seeking God to guide and direct our efforts according to Proverbs 3:5-6? With that said, Is it God's will always for prosperity and healing? I would answer no. Consider John 6: 28-29. 28 Therefore they said to Him, “What shall we do, so that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent.” The case you stated from the Gospels "might" appear to support such a claim, however, I believe the whole of scripture does not. We need to look at the purpose of such healings which I see are found in John 4:48 "So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.” The Apostle Paul echos this in 1 Cor.1:21. We must also look at Paul, the author of roughly one-half on the NT. How can we overlook the plain statement in 2 Cor. 12:7-9? 7 Because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to torment me—to keep me from exalting myself! 8 Concerning this I implored the Lord three times that it might leave me. 9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." If God's will is to always heal, why was Paul allowed this "thorn in the flesh"? (cf. 1 Tim.5:23, 2 Tim 4:20) Most difficult of all is to ignore the precedent to Pauls' "thorn in the flesh" in 2 Cor.11:23-33. 23 Are they servants of Christ?—I speak as if insane—I more so; in far more labors, in far more imprisonments, beaten times without number, often in danger of death. 24 Five times I received from the Jews thirty-nine lashes. 25 Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, a night and a day I have spent in the deep. 26 I have been on frequent journeys, in dangers from rivers, dangers from robbers, dangers from my countrymen, dangers from the Gentiles, dangers in the city, dangers in the wilderness, dangers on the sea, dangers among false brethren; 27 I have been in labor and hardship, through many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure. 28 Apart from such external things, there is the daily pressure on me of concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak without my being weak? Who is led into sin without my intense concern? 30 If I have to boast, I will boast of what pertains to my weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, He who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying. 32 In Damascus the ethnarch under Aretas the king was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to seize me, 33 and I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall, and so escaped his hands. To consider, how was Paul prospering in this very clear scenario? What of his hardships, were they not allowed by a sovereign God to produce perseverance,character, and hope? (Rom.5:3-4). This example of Paul seems to be conveniently overlooked or completely ignored by proponents of the Health and Wealth gospel! It doesn't fit that theology. My conclusion is this: God is sovereign and He can and will do His will! Not MY will but "thine be done". I do not see prosperity as a guarantee, nor healing as normative. It's been said God doesn't give us what we want, but rather what we need.(Prov. 30:8) Speaking the Truth In Love, BradK |