WHY MANY DO NOT RECEIVE HEALING
If God still heals the sick today, why are so many good Christian people sick?
Thousands of sick and suffering people in the world today would love to believe
in the teaching of divine healing. It would mean deliverance for them from much
suffering and sorrow but they dare not rest their case in the hands of God and
trust Him for deliverance until this question is answered.
Thousands more, who already believe in the doctrine of divine healing, are
asking almost the same question. “Others are healed. I know that God does heal
today. Why do I not receive healing? Is God a respecter of persons?”
These questions cannot be ignored. God has not ignored them, for we read the
answer in the Bible.
“For there is no respect of persons with God.” Rom. 2:11.
If God’s promises of healing apply to ANYONE, they apply to EVERYONE.
“Is any sick among you? 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
of faith SHALL SAVE THE SICK, and the Lord SHALL RAISE HIM UP;
and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5:14, 15.
It has been explained earlier in these lessons that healing is not provided nor
promised for the enemies of Christ, nor for those who persist in living in sin.
It is our
purpose here to deal with the reasons that CHRISTIAN PEOPLE fail to receive
healing.
If you desire to be healed, and are not a Christian, you must first find healing
for your soul. Repent of your sins and seek God with your whole heart. When you
have repented of your sins, and believe in your heart the Lord Jesus (not just
some
things about Him, but believe HIM, trust Him, believe what He says in His word).
Then you will be born again by the Spirit of God, born into the family of God,
and
eligible to ask in faith for any of his promised benefits.
The following discussion on the subject of being “born again” is offered
because several have written asking how they can know they have really been
“born
again”--how they can be SURE. It will no doubt be of great value to Christian
workers desiring more information about dealing with those who need to be healed
and yet are not “born again.”
“. . . YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN.” John 3:7.
Jesus Himself declared “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the
kingdom of God.” John 3:3.
Observing the manner of life of professing Christians, and trying to copy it,
will
never be enough. Even attempting to live according to the Ten Commandments, or
to the moral code of the Bible will not do. The rich young ruler declared, “All
these
have I kept from my youth up. What lack I yet?” Matt. 19:20.
Rebirth changes the nature of the individual. It changes his interests, his
standards, and his outlook. He loves things he once hated, and hates things he
once
loved.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17.
Through this experience, and it alone, we are empowered to become the
children of God, heirs to all that He possesses, in heaven and in earth! (See
Romans
8:17; Gal. 3:29).
As His children, we love Him. We desire to please Him, to gain His favor, and
above all, to imitate Him, to be transformed into His image rather than be
conformed
to the image of the world. (Rom. 12:2).
Some may have told you that you can never KNOW that you are saved, and
that you are ready for heaven. There are those in the world today who call
themselves
preachers of the gospel who would say to you, “Just live the best you know how.
Pay
your just debts. Be kind to your neighbors. Attend the church of your choice. It
doesn’t matter so much what you believe, just so you are sincere. And when you
get
to the other end of this life, then you will find out whether or not you have
done well
enough. Nobody can ever know until the final judgment whether or not he is going
to
make it in!”
How utterly foolish! How far from the teaching of scripture! What a devilish
deception, to cause people to drift carelessly into hell!
“We KNOW that we have passed from death unto life,” I John 3:14.
“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of
God; that YE MAY KNOW that ye HAVE eternal,” I John 5:13.
This does not say that you may hope that you will have eternal life, when you
have come to the other end of life’s journey! You have eternal life NOW, and
know
that you have it, or else you have no eternal life! Eternal life begins within
you when
you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and are born again.
“For God so loved the world, that he have his only begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John
3:16.
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.
The life of the unrepentant sinner -- even the best of unrepentant sinners -- is
one life; while the life of the repentant, born again Christian is an entirely
different
life.
The Apostle Paul describes the life of a well-.meaning, self-righteous,
religious
sinner, in Romans 7:14, 15, 18,24.
“For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For
that
which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that
do
I. . . . For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing:
for to
will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.. .0
wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
But Paul had found the answer, and reveals it to us in the next verse. “I thank
God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 7:25.
“What the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending
His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the
flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Rom. 8:3,4.
If you have not been set free by the Lord Jesus Christ, you are in prison. You
are in bondage. You are bound by sin! You cannot do what you want to do, what
you
know is right. Many a time you have been ashamed of the things that you have
done.
Many times you have wanted to stop. You have “turned over a new leaf.” You have
made “New Year’s Resolutions.” You have seen the new leaf smudged and the
resolutions broken. Sin’s chains are too strong. You may blame your
“environment.”
You may feel that some day, when you are older, and when your circumstances have
changed, you will turn from your wicked ways and do better.
Only Christ can set you free. He whom the Son of God sets free is free indeed.
(John 8:36.)
You can no more save yourself by your own efforts than you can lift yourself
into heaven by your own bootstraps. A penalty has been placed upon sin by a just
and
holy God. That penalty Is death! “The soul that sinneth, it shall DIE.” Ezek.
18:4.
NOW, HERE IS YOUR PART:
1. You must realize that you are a sinner, and that your sins are worthy of
death. (Death, in this sense, means eternal banishment from God, in hell.)
2. You must come to hate your sin, which is destroying you. You must repent
of your sins and, in prayer, confess them to Jesus. “If we confess our sins, he
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” I John 1:9. Your sins need not be confessed to anyone but
Jesus unless they have wronged others; and that can be made right by
confession to the wronged one or by restoring to that one the thing of
which he has been defrauded. (Luke 19:1-8). If restitution is impossible, God
will freely forgive upon your repentance alone.
3. You must, after having confessed your sins to Jesus, believe in your heart
that He has been true to His Word, and has washed your sins away.
4. There is one thing more: after you have believed, you must acknowledge
Jesus as Saviour. “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy
heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess
with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God
hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man
believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation.” Rom. 10:8-10.
Now, at this moment, before Satan can snatch this opportunity from you, cry
out to God to forgive your sins. Confess that you are unworthy, that your sins
are
only worthy of death and hell, but remind Him that the penalty has been paid,
that
Jesus has died in your place, FOR YOUR SINS! Then, believe that you are
forgiven,
and thank God earnestly, and aloud, that your sins are gone. Tell your family
and
friends IMMEDIATELY that a new life has begun for you
“If any man be in Christ Jesus, he is a new creature: old things are passed
away;
behold, all things are become new.” 2 Cor. 5:17.
The change is so complete that God in His Word has called it a REBIRTH!
(John 3:3).
The Scriptures speak of the New Christian as a BABE IN CHRIST. Just as
new born babes must receive proper care, proper nourishment, and training, in
order
to become adults, so the new born Christian must observe certain rules in order
to
grow up strong and healthy In his spiritual living.
Because I am concerned for every one who has begun this new life, I have
written a short booklet to give such a believer a start. It is entitled, “HOW TO
LIVE
THE CHRISTIAN LIFE.” You may have it for ten cents. This will defray mailing
costs. Please write for it if you need this extra help.
IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN AND STILL HAVE NOT RECEIVED
HEALING, examine your life and attitudes in the light of God’s Word. God has not
shown respect of persons in your case, for that is contrary to His divine
nature. If you
are still sick, there is a reason. God’s Word will reveal it to you, if you will
diligently
seek His face. When you find the trouble, correct it, and God’s healing touch is
yours.
This is God’s guarantee, and God cannot lie.
SOME REASONS MANY DO NOT RECEIVE HEALING!
1.Lack of Faith:
You may say, “But I have faith. I know God is able to heal me. Then why does
he not do it?”
Do you believe He will heal you NOW?
You say, “I hope He will. I know God does heal today. I’ve been to Bro.
________’s big meeting, and have seen hundreds healed, but when he laid his
hands
on me, I didn’t get healed.”
What you have is NOT FAITH. You have HOPE. You HOPE to be healed.
You have KNOWLEDGE. You know God is able to heal, and that He does heal.
You believe what you have seen, but you do not have FAITH.
Faith is believing what you have not seen simply because God said it is so.
(Heb. 11:1). If you had faith, you would already have been healed.
A dear sister came to us with a deaf ear, which had been deaf for many years.
She said, “I don’t see why I don’t get healed. I have as much faith as anyone. I
have all
the faith in the world.”
We at once carefully explained to her that if she had real living faith to that
extent, it would be impossible for her to remain deaf, for real faith works.
“Faith
without works (faith that doesn’t work) is dead.” James 2:20. Real faith is
guaranteed
to bring results, for God is faithful that promised. When she recognized the
fact that
she was lacking in faith and humbly asked God to forgive her for doubting him
and to
help her unbelief, immediately her ear was unstopped.
This is a thoroughly scriptural approach to God in such a case. Jesus once said
to a man whose faith was weak, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible
to him
that believeth.” Mark 9:23. He replied, with tears, “Lord, I believe; help thou
mine
unbelief.” Mark 9:24.
Immediately, Jesus first helped his unbelief. His faith sprang up. He received
the faith that God gives and the thing he desired became, not only a
possibility, but a
reality. Satan’s power was broken. This man’s son was delivered.
An honest confession of doubt, coupled with a sincere desire to learn better
how to believe, is far better than a loud profession of faith that does not
work. It is
hard to deceive yourself in this matter, and IMPOSSIBLE to deceive God.
Real faith is not hoping that God will heal you, nor knowing that He is able to
heal you. It is joyful assurance that the work is as good because God WHO
CANNOT LIE has promised --yes, even GUARANTEED-- to heal YOU!
2. Erroneous Teaching:
Many fail to receive healing because, due to erroneous teaching, they have been
made to believe that sickness and physical suffering is God’s way of bringing
out the
best in them, or of developing the fruit of the Spirit in their lives. They
believe that
they must be patient in affliction, and wait until it is God’s time to heal
them, that
perhaps God is working out patience and long-suffering in them, or perhaps God
is
chastening them for some unknown sin.
It is true that sin opens the door for sickness to enter, but all God asks is
that
sin be confessed and forsaken. The Scripture in James 5:14-17 applies
particularly to
this case. God does not say, “Is any sick among? Let him patiently wait until
God has
finished chastening him.” Rather, “Confess your faults one to another, (Now,
TODAY) and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.” James 5:16. The promise
is, “The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up;
and if he
have committed sins, they shall be FORGIVEN HIM.” James 5:15.
He is not glorified by the Christian continuing in the sickness nor in the sin
that caused it, but rather by giving deliverance from both.
Patience and long-suffering are the “fruit of the SPIRIT” (Gal. 5:22, 23), not
“fruit of sickness and suffering.” They result directly from being yielded to
the
indwelling Spirit of God. If in some individuals they may seem to result from
sickness,
it is rather because the sickness has driven that individual to give more
attention to his
relationship with the Spirit of God than he did when he was well. Any person who
has observed sick people will readily agree that in other circumstances the
result of
sickness is frequently less, rather than more patience.
If God (who never changes) used this method of teaching patience and
longsuffering,
surely at some time in the earthly ministry of Christ, He would have said to
someone who cried out to Him for deliverance, “Go thy way. Remain sick until you
have learned patience. Then you may seek me again, and perhaps I will heal you.”
Never once did He give such an answer. Not once did He command any person who
was well to become sick, nor any who was sick to remain so.
Both sin and sickness are the works of the devil. God certainly has not
ordained that the fruit of the Spirit should be developed by the works of the
devil.
This is the work of the Spirit! Christ was manifested to destroy the works of
the devil.
Some may say, “This may not be God’s time to heal me. I will be faithful in my
sickness, and God in His own good time will heal me, should it be His will to do
so.”
It would be just as well for a sinner to say, “This may not be God’s time to
save me. I
will be faithful in my sin and disobedience, and if I am one whom God wills to
save,
surely He will save me in His own good time.”
We know that it is the will of God to save everybody, for He is “not willing
that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.
Nevertheless, none will escape except they repent, for Jesus Himself said,
“Except ye
repent, ye shall ALL likewise perish.” Luke 13:3.
The moment the sinner repents, salvation is his. He need not wait and wonder
whether God will save him, for God has said, “If we confess our sins, he is
faithful
and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I
John 1:9.
This is recognized as sound doctrine among all that call themselves
fundamental believers. Yet many of them fail to recognize the fact that the same
Bible
tells us: “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health,
even as thy
soul prospereth.” 3 John 2.
Health is God’s will for His people, conditioned upon the well-being of the
soul.
All of God’s promises are conditional. Salvation is conditioned upon
repentance. Healing is conditioned upon faith and spiritual health, but when
God’s
conditions are known and met, GOD GUARANTEES THE ANSWER.
“For ALL the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the
glory of God by us.” 2 Cor. 1:20.
“For he is faithful that promised;” Heb. 10:23
3. Indefinite Prayers:
Many fail to receive healing because they do not ask definitely for the thing
they desire from God. “. . .ye have not, because ye ask not.” James 4:2.
Two blind men were sitting by the wayside, and hearing that Jesus passed by,
began to cry out, saying, “Have mercy on us, 0 Lord, thou Son of David.” Matt.
20:31. Truly they were addressing their plea to the right person, but when their
prayer
is analyzed, they really hadn’t asked him for ANYTHING! Jesus asked them, “What
will ye that I shall do unto you?” Matt. 20:32.
“Lord, that our eyes may be opened.” Matt. 20:33. Thus their prayer was made
definite, and “immediately their eyes received sight,” Matt. 20:34.
When you come to God for healing, state your need DEFINITELY. God’s
promise is: “And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the
Father
may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13.
In one of our meetings, a man came in the healing line that was deaf in one ear,
blind in one eye, and had rheumatism in his knees. As he came, he asked for
deliverance for his ear, which had been totally deaf for a number of years. As
prayer
was offered and Satan’s power was broken, he immediately received his hearing.
This
so inspired his faith that he had courage to ask healing for his eye. When this
prayer
also was answered, his faith was strengthened yet further, so that he asked and
received deliverance for his crippled knees. There was no real new need in the
man or
any new willingness to heal on God’s part, but as each need was presented
definitely,
God was true to His word, and DID EXACTLY WHAT WAS ASKED IN JESUS’
NAME.
Oftentimes the failure to make a definite request is due to lack of faith. The
beggar who comes to your back door may say, “Lady, please give me something to
eat.” He isn’t sure he will get anything. If he should get something, he doesn’t
know
what it might be. So he makes his request indefinite, but when you go into the
store
with money in your purse to buy something to eat, you don’t say, “Give me
something to eat.” You give the grocer a very definite list of just the things
you want,
and the quantity of each. You have no doubt that you will receive the thing you
ask
for.
Just so, the person who comes to God believing that whatsoever he asks, he
will receive, will normally ask definitely for the things he desires. Many
times, if the
person seeking healing will determine in his mind exactly what healing he truly
needs
and expects to get, and can be persuaded to ask definitely, the barrier to
healing is
immediately removed.
Many people believe that it is a sign of meekness or humility to say, after they
have prayed, “If it be thy will.” This may be a trick of the enemy to keep you
from
having real faith to be healed. So long as you are not sure it is God’s will to
heal you,
you cannot ask in faith, for never in the history of answered prayer has anyone
persuaded God to do anything contrary to His will. The central secret of
answered
prayer is praying IN HIS WILL.
Those who feel they should say, “If it be thy will” quote as an example the
prayer of Jesus in Gethsemane, when He cried out in agony of soul, “If thou be
willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
Luke
22:42.
Note that He was not praying for something that God had promised. He was
not praying with a desire to change the circumstances, and although the prayer
was
prayed by the Son of God Himself, IT DID NOT BRING ABOUT THE CHANGE
suggested in the prayer. This was never intended to be a prayer to change
things. It
was simply the agonizing cry of a struggling soul.
He knew the will of the Father. He had known before He ever came to earth
that He was to come for no other purpose than to drink of that cup. Even before
Gethsemane, when the disciples had asked for places of honor, He had asked them
if
they were able to drink of the cup which He must drink. This was a prayer for
strength and grace to drink the cup. The hour had come, and the cup was bitter.
Jesus had taken upon Himself the human frailty of the flesh when He became
"flesh and dwelt among us," John 1:14. So in being made, in all points, like
unto His
brethren (Hebrews 2:17), His flesh, naturally, rebelled against the horrible
knowledge
that in a few hours it would be torn, bruised, bleeding, disgraced, forsaken,
and
suffering the greatest punishment known to man. He who had known no sin was to
be made a public spectacle as a sinner, bearing our sins upon the cross. He knew
that
His Father, who had been so close by, even as He walked the dusty paths of
Galilee,
could not go with Him through this, His hour of greatest testing. In agony of
soul, He
looked about for another way, but His purpose was unshaken, and only for a
moment
would He even cry out. And God sent an angel to strengthen Him for that dark
hour.
Yes, in your life, too, you may many times have good use for the words,
“Nevertheless, not my will but thine be done.” Save them for the time when your
consecration is being tested. Save them for the day when the dark waters have
almost
swept you off your feet and the devil is tempting you to seek an easier way out!
Then,
cry out as Jesus did. “Father, if it is all right with you, I will take the
easier way, but my
mind is made up. My face is set. I am determined to do thy will at any cost.”
“NOT
MY WILL, BUT THINE BE DONE,” Luke 22:42, will be the correct prayer at this
time.
In your praying, day by day, make it a practice to find out God’s will, and then
pray with complete confidence for those things which are His will.
When we pray for healing, we are praying for that which God has already
revealed to be His will. IT IS GOD’S WILL TO HEAL YOU! Then, why should you
say, “If it be thy will”?
It is right that we should be concerned to know the will of God, and that when
we pray, we should pray in accordance with His will. We read in James 4:13,15,
“Go
to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue
there
a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: . . . For that ye ought to say, If the
Lord will, we
shall live, and do this, or that.
In this case, God has not promised, nor revealed His will in the matter.
God has promised and revealed His will in regard to the healing of His people.
Therefore, we need not say, “If it be thy will;” rather, let us say, I thank
you, Father,
that you have revealed Your will concerning the matter in Your Word, and that I
know I am asking in Your will.”
“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything
according to his will, he heareth us: and if we know that he hear us, whatsoever
we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.” I John
5:14, 15.
The “if” in many prayers not only denotes doubt but is used as a loophole
through which many hope to escape any possible charge of unbelief or unconfessed
sin. If healing fails to come, the person who prays thus can always excuse
himself by
saying, “It just wasn’t God’s will to heal me. He heals others, but although I
am
blameless, God has shown respect of persons, and chooses not to heal me.”
In the light of God’s own plain statement that He is not a respecter of persons
(Rom. 2:11), such a statement might well be classed as a slander against God, or
“charging God foolishly.”
4. Lack of Understanding of God’s Dealings in Regard to
Healing.
A lack of understanding of the way God deals in regard to healing is the cause of many remaining sick. The person who has set a pattern in his mind and feels it is the only way that God can or will work is in danger of losing confidence. When the answer doesn’t come according to his mental pattern, he may also have the feeling that his prayer has not been heard or will not be answered.
Since healing can come only by faith, it is easy to see the importance of understanding God’s methods of dealing in order that faith may not be shaken.
Many have been heard to remark that if God does the healing, it will instantly
be complete. This is merely man’s theory, and is not God’s constant pattern.
One outstanding example of non-instantaneous healing from the Old
Testament is that of Naaman. (See 2 Kings 5).
Elisha was a prophet of God, and was greatly anointed by God to perform
mighty works in His name.
Apparently the people looked to him to heal them (through the power of God)
because an obscure captive Israelite maid passed the word to Naaman that he
could
be healed of his leprosy if he would find Elisha.
Naaman’s king immediately sent him to Israel, the land of the prophet, Elisha,
with instructions to the king of Israel to see that he was healed. How
frequently our
hearts are stirred today, and made to wonder, when we see the “heathen” (those
who
do not profess to be Christians) quickly accept and believe when they are told
of a
Saviour who heals the body as well as the soul, while many Christians sit by in
unbelief and refuse to acknowledge or enjoy the blessing.
The king of Israel was like these. He became all upset and wondered how he
could do the command of the king of Syria. (Vs. 7). He apparently knew so little
about what God was doing that he didn’t even know there was a prophet in his
land
who could heal the sick!
Elisha heard of the matter and sent word that Naaman should be sent to him.
When Naaman came to Elisha he was quite disappointed to find that, instead of
being
treated as the high representative of a powerful government, he was not even
approached personally by Elisha. Instead, Elisha sent his servant, Gehazi, to
him with
a message. Naaman was to go to the Jordan River and wash in it seven times, and
he
would be healed.
The Jordan was a muddy and unattractive river. Syria, Naaman’s own country
had two rivers that were much cleaner and more attractive. Naaman was angry at
such
treatment, but he allowed his servants to persuade him to do the thing Elisha
had
commanded, and he was healed!
Did the muddy waters of the Jordan have any healing effect on Naaman? Of
course not, but it was necessary that Naaman perform an act of humility and
obedience. To do so indicated that he had some degree of faith. This was not the
end
of the matter. He came back to Elisha to thank him. He told Elisha that he would
no
longer worship nor sacrifice to the heathen idols of his land. He would serve
only the
God of Israel from that day.
He offered gifts to Elisha, but he refused to accept them. The power of God cannot be bought, and this heathen captain might have misunderstood If Elisha had taken the gifts.
That instantaneous healing is merely man’s theory and not God’s constant
pattern is also borne out in the life of Jesus; healings were not always
instantaneous.
Often He did heal instantly but other patterns apparent today were also apparent
in
the ministry of Christ. Let us consider some of these, both in the time of
Christ and in
our day:
The Healing of the Nobleman’s Son: A certain nobleman, whose son was sick
at Capernaum, met Jesus and said to Him, “Sir, come down ere my child die.” John
4:49. Jesus said unto him, “Go thy way; thy son liveth.” John 4:50.
According to the words of Jesus, the boy was healed. The work was done. The
case was closed. The nobleman’s servants met him along the road before he
reached
home, bringing him the glad news: “Thy son liveth.” John 4:51. When the father
inquired of them the hour when he began to amend, the servant replied,
“Yesterday at
the seventh hour the fever left him.” John 4:52.
Note that be boy “began to amend.” It would appear that although this boy
was truly HEALED, it was not an instantaneous full restoration to his former
health
and vigor. Rather, the fever left, and he was on the road to recovery.
Even so today, in many cases, the cause of the disease is driven out, yet some
time is required before normal processes of growth or convalescence bring about
a
state of full and normal well being.
The Healing of the Man Born Blind: (John 9). Jesus met a man who was blind
from his birth. Jesus made clay and anointed his eyes with the clay and
commanded
him to “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam.” John 9:7. The blind man did exactly as
he
was told. He went his way, washed, and CAME SEEING.
His eyes were opened, WHEN? When he obeyed the command of Jesus and
did what He told him to do. Thus, we learn that healing may be down the road of
obedience. Jesus can heal you in the same way today. It is important to
recognize that
this is scriptural.
In our meetings the Lord has dealt with certain individuals concerning
obedience, and when they obeyed God’s voice, they were miraculously healed. It
is
doubtful if any that stubbornly refuse to do God’s bidding can have faith to
receive
healing.
The Healing of the Ten Lepers (Luke 17): As Jesus entered into a certain
village, ten men who were lepers stood afar off and “lifted up their voices, and
said,
Jesus, Master, have mercy on us. And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go
shew
yourselves unto the priests.” Luke 17:14.
Jesus did not there on the spot tell them that they were healed. But He did tell
them to go shew themselves to the priests, which they knew they had no reason to
do
unless they were healed. They started to the priests in obedience by faith,
doing the
thing they could not do unless they were healed. When they started, there was no
outward manifestation of their healing, but “it came to pass, that, as they
went, they
were cleansed.” Luke 17:14.
This was not an immediate, visible healing, but was a genuine healing by the
power of God. These men took God at His word, and His word did not fall. They
acted their faith, while it was yet not seen. As a result, in a very short time
they SAW
what they had had faith to believe.
If you will do BY FAITH that which you could not do before, God will meet
YOU. Jesus said frequently said to the bedfast, “Take up thy bed, and walk.”
Mark
2:9. They were healed when they obeyed. Peter said to the impotent in his feet,
“In
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk,” Acts 3:6, and obeying,
he was
healed. Many today are receiving deliverance in the same manner.
The Healing of a Young Lady on Crutches: In one of our healing lines came a
young lady on crutches. She had been crippled for four long years. As she came,
the
glow of faith was upon her face. Before the minister could say one word to her,
she
beamingly handed him her crutches. She was fully persuaded by faith that she
would
need them no longer. Of course, she went away walking without the crutches. God
never fails to reward real, living faith.
The Healing of a Lady in a Wheel Chair: Another had come in the same healing
line in a wheel chair. After prayer, she was commanded to rise and walk. Without
making a move, she replied, “You know I can’t do that,” and she couldn’t because
she
did not believe! However, two nights later, after being more fully instructed in
the
promises of God, she did arise from the chair, walked, ran, and climbed the
steps to
the platform. This type of healing seems to have been one of the most prominent
in
the healing ministry of Jesus, and it is still in effect today.
Like the Fig Tree, Diseases are Cursed and Wither Away! One day Jesus cursed
a fig tree because it produced no fruit. (Mark 11:13). Apparently there was no
change
in the appearance of the tree then, but the next day, when He and His disciples
passed
again that way, Peter was amazed, and said to Jesus, “Master, behold, the fig
tree
which thou cursedst is withered away.” Vs. 21. In this short time, it had dried
up at
the roots, and was withered away.
Many diseases are healed in the same way. The “root” of the disease is cursed
in the name of Jesus. Should it be cancer, tumor, goiter, or some other growth,
it must
either pass from the body or disintegrate into the blood stream, and be carried
away.
IN FAILING TO UNDERSTAND THIS TRUTH OF GRADUAL HEALING, TWO GRAVE DANGERS ARE APPARENT:
1. The person may lose confidence in the healing power of God, due to
disappointment in failing to be made perfectly whole as expected. The loss of
confidence opens the door for Satan to return and take possession again of that
which
had been taken from him. (See Matt. 12:43-45.) In that case, even that which was
gained is lost. This also accounts for many that testify at one time to having
received a
“partial healing” and then in a little while are as bad or worse than before.
(This
subject will be discussed at greater length in one of the future lessons).
2. The person may accept the partial deliverance as being all that God can or
will do, and therefore fail to continue to stand against the devil by faith
until the
healing is complete. If Satan cannot prevent your healing altogether, he will
back up
one step, and try to hinder you from receiving ALL that God intended for you to
have.
GOD’S PLAN FOR HEALING IS COMPLETE HEALING, whether it be
instantaneous or a convalescent type of deliverance.
If you do not receive instant healing, do not be discouraged, but keep reaching
out to God by faith, and praise Him for that which has already been done in your
behalf. Do not only praise Him for the improvements in your condition, which you
may be able to feel, but especially for the stripes which He bore at the
whipping post
in Jerusalem to pay the price for YOUR deliverance. Keep right on looking at
Jesus
until the manifestation of your deliverance is complete.
FAITH IN GOD IS MORE THAN FAITH IN HIS PROMISES--IT IS
ALSO FAITH IN HIS COMMANDS. His commands need not be simple tests of
faith, as in the preceding cases. They may be tests of obedience.
5. Rejection of God’s Statutes:
While Elisha refused gifts from Naaman, Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, was
covetous of those things. He followed Naaman and told him that Elisha had
changed
his mind and would accept the gifts. The Spirit of the Lord revealed this to
Elisha
while it was happening. When Gehazi returned, Elisha gave him a chance to
confess
and repent. Instead, Gehazi told more lies. Then Elisha said, “The leprosy
therefore
of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed forever. And he went out
from
his presence a leper as white as snow.” 2 Kings 5:27.
A heathen captain, with little or no understanding of God and His Word is
healed. Take heed one who has much knowledge and understanding, as did Gehazi,
and willfully sins against God’s commandments, is in grave danger of severe
judgment. The judgment on Gehazi illustrates this.
There is little doubt that in every place where we hold healing campaigns, we
have some Gehazi’s who go through the healing line, desperately seeking from God
what can never be.
Somewhere, they have knowingly and deliberately turned aside from following
God’s will for them. They have despised their inheritance and sold their
birthright.
Now they wander, as a leprous Gehazi, seeking for a blessing they no longer have
a
right to receive. They have rejected the Lord’s statutes.
6. Stubbornness and Rebellion:
“And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet,
until
his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord,
but to the
physicians. And Asa died in the one and fortieth year of his reign.” 2 Chron.
16:12,13.
Is it a sin to go to doctors? This is a question that has been debated back and
forth by people who profess to believe in divine healing. I do not quarrel with
the
medical profession. I don’t know what the world would do without them. I don’t
know what many Christians would do without them either!
Not all Christians die who go to doctors. Many get well, so we will have to look
further for the meaning of this Scripture.
Asa was a man who made a very good start in serving God. He was a king of
Judah, and his first act as king was to remove all idols from the land and
forbid
idolatry. We are told that his heart was perfect “all his days.” 2 Chron. 15:17.
After the
35th year of his reign, the king of Israel invaded Judah and robbed him of some
of his
territory. Asa thought that if any other king joined Israel they could quickly
overthrow
his kingdom, so he sent to the king of Syria--a heathen king of a heathen
nation--and
asked him to come to his aid. The king of Syria consented.
God was so displeased that He sent Hanani, the prophet, to say to Asa:
“Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the Lord thy
God, . .
. Herein thou has done foolish1y: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have
wars.” 2
Chron. 16:7,9.
Asa became so angry at Hanani that he put him in prison, and we are told that
he oppreseed the people of Judah.
Now, four years later, he became sick. God was giving him one more chance, a
chance to repent, to turn again to Him in humility, trust, and obedience, but
Asa, in
his stubbornness and rebellion of heart, refused to seek God for his healing.
Man
could not help him this time, so he died.
There is a lesson here for those of us who know the power of God. To turn
from Him, and look to man and man only for help, whether for healing or for any
other need, is displeasing to Him.
7. Disobedience:
God’s power to heal was well-known and recognized by His people in the days
of the Old Testament. When He made His covenant with the children of Israel at
Sinai, He told them if they would obey His statutes and keep His commandments,
He
would keep them in health. “I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I
have
brought upon the Egyptians: FOR I AM THE LORD THAT HEALETH THEE.”
Ex. 15:26.
When they became critical and murmured against God and against Moses, God
permitted “fiery serpents” to come into the camp, and many were bitten and died.
(Num. 21:4-9.) The people knew the cause of this and came to Moses and said, ‘We
have sinned, pray unto the Lord, and he will take away the serpents from us.”
Num.
21:7.
God told Moses to fashion a serpent of brass and place it upon a pole where
anyone who was bitten could see it. He would only have to look at the brazen
serpent
and he would be healed.
This, of course, was a type of Christ, who was crucified for us that we might be
healed, both soul and body.
Many years later, Hezekiah, the king, had to destroy this same brazen serpent.
Once it had been a blessing but now had become a curse because the people of
Israel
“did burn incense to it.” 2 Kings 18:4.
Some who elevate a person, who is used to heal the sick, are guilty of doing the
same thing. They are exalting the instrument of healing rather than the Healer.
God
alone has power to heal. Man is never more than an instrument in His hands.
8. Speaking Against the Lord’s Anointed: (Num. 12:1-13.)
In the above Scripture we read that Miriam, the sister of Moses, criticized him.
So great was this sin in God’s sight that He smote her with leprosy! It was only
through the intercessory prayer of Moses that she was healed. God reminded
Miriam
how He had chosen and blessed Moses above all others, and God said to her, “were
ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?” Num. 12:8.
Some are unable to receive healing because they are guilty of speaking against
the Lord’s anointed!
A CAREFUL STUDY OF THE FOREGOING REASONS along with any
others that may occur to you, should help locate the reason you, or those for
whom
you are praying do not receive healing. By correcting the trouble and turning to
God
in repentance, you should be able to receive it.
Perhaps you have had prayer for your healing once, or even many times, but
failed to believe God for it, You think that perhaps it would denote unbelief to
come
back for prayer again for the same disease. Please refer to Mark 8:23. Here
Jesus took
a blind man by the hand and led him out of town. When He had spit on his eyes
and
put His hands upon him, He asked if he saw anything. The man looked up and said,
“I see men as trees walking.” Mark 8:24. It was only after Jesus had laid his
hands
upon him the second time that his sight was fully restored. Then he saw “every
man
clearly.” Mark 8:25.
If you have had prayer and have not received healing, do not be discouraged.
Rather, start over, reading the New Testament as though it were a new book. Read
and study as though you know nothing about divine healing. You have missed a
point
somewhere along the line. Just go back and start at the beginning, and be very
careful
to follow God’s instructions in every point, and for you too, heaven GUARANTEES
THE ANSWER.
The Bible teaches that we shall prosper and be in health, even as our souls
prosper. (3 John 2.) Yet we haven’t any promise in the Word of God that divine
healing will give unlimited physical life to any person in this present age. It
is still true
that “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:” Heb.
9:27.
Some earnest teachers, preachers, and Christian people, in their great zeal for
upholding the doctrine of healing, have left the strong inference that if one
should
exercise sufficient faith he might never die physically.
The Word of God makes it plain that death remains an unconquered enemy.
“The last enemy that SHALL BE destroyed is death.” I Cor. 15:26. A careful study
of
this Scripture and its context will show that while death will eventually be
destroyed,
destruction awaits a future time. The sting of death is sin. (I Cor. 15:56.) To
the
person who is saved from sin, death has lost its sting, but death itself is yet
unconquered. Until Jesus returns and puts all things under Him, death remains
the
normal end of all mankind.
Some quote Romans 5:12-14 as proof that physical health can be ours
indefinitely to the extent that there should be no physical death. However, Paul
was
not here referring to physical death, but rather to spiritual death--spiritual
separation
from God. One can be alive physically, but dead spiritually. “But she that
liveth in
pleasure is dead while she liveth.” I Tim. 5:6. A careful study of Romans 5,
especially
verses 17, 18, and 19, will reveal that Paul was speaking of this spiritual
death and not
of physical death. For he says, “For as by one man’s disobedience many were made
sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” Romans 5:19.
If
the death spoken of in verses 12 and 14 is physical death, then verse 19 should
read,
“So by the obedience of one shall many be made immune from physical death.”
It is true that physical health during our appointed life time has been provided
in the atonement. But the Word does not teach that any person can have such
outstanding faith as never to die physically. The exception is those whose
normal life
span will reach to the time when Jesus will come and those who are alive and
remain
will be caught up to meet the Lord in the air. (I Thes. 4:17.)
“The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of
strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labour and sorrow; for
it is soon
cut off, and we fly away.” Psa. 90:10.
After having given this general rule in regard to the normal length of life, God
gives us this pattern prayer: “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply
our
hearts unto wisdom.” Psa. 90:12. According to this verse, even the most
consecrated
Christian should expect to come at last to the end of his days. This will
explain why
some in advanced age fail to be raised from their beds. God’s time may have come
for
them to go.
However, even if it should be the end of days for an individual, God’s word
still does not indicate that it is His plan for that person to die in agony and
disease,
but rather that His servant should depart in peace. (Luke 2:29.) Disease is not
necessary to bring about death. God’s pattern for death is found in Psa. 104:29.
“Thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust.”
Even when the time has come for one to die, there is a scriptural example for
the belief that in the case of unusual faith, a limited amount of time may be
added.
Hezekiah was informed that God had commanded him to set his house in order, for
he should die and not live. Yet in answer to his pleading, Hezekiah was granted
an
extension of life for fifteen years (2 Kings 20:1-7). Nevertheless, although
Hezekiah
was healed and his life extended, when the fifteen years were over, he still had
to die.
Divine healing does not set aside the law of death. Real faith can be based only
upon
the word of One who is faithful. We can have faith for healing because God has
promised healing, but God has not promised that this physical life shall
continue
indefinitely.
Build your faith upon the Word of God. Search the Word to find the reason you have not been healed. Get rid of the reason you have not been healed. Then accept your healing joyful in whatever way God may see fit to give it.
God may choose to heal you instantly. He may choose to let the healing be
gradual. He may choose to give a sudden manifestation of your healing, but at a
time a
little later. Or, in the case of one whose time has come to go, he may deliver
from
pain and suffering, and yet take the person to his eternal rest.
Lay aside your own ideas of how God is going to heal you and accept the
healing God’s way. Believe God! Take Him at His word! He says healing is for
you.
God, who CANNOT LIE, has said, “believe that ye receive . . . and ye SHALL.”
Mark 11:24.
