Healing According to The Will of God

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that,

if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:

1 John 5:14

God is sovereign and what is impossible with man is possible through God.  

But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.  Matthew 19:26

The key word here is sovereign in that God knows all, sees all, is able above all.  There are times that healing and deliverance does not come.  Sometimes it is due to our own disobedience to God and His word but there are also times when God's will supersedes our will and desires.  

Always remember, however. . .

The secret things belong unto the Lord our God; but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. (Deuteronomy 29:29)

Faith requires just that: Faith. If you have all the answers, you do not need faith. God only asks that you act in faith upon His Word, not provide answers. 

And many lepers were in Israel in the time of Eliseus the prophet; and none of them was cleansed, saving Naaman the Syrian.  Luke 4:27 

We are not told why this was so.

The variables listed below are some of the factors that affect healing and deliverance.
    

     DISOBEDIENCE IN THE HEALING PROCESS

In the healing process, sometimes God gives special instructions which seem foolish to the natural mind. For example, God told Naaman to go wash in the muddy river to receive healing (2 Kings 5:1-14). Sometimes a simple act of obedience is all that stands between you and a miracle.

     IMPROPERLY DISCERNING CHRIST'S BODY

Weakness and sickness result because we do not properly discern the Body of Christ. To "discern" is "to learn and understand something by examining, investigating, and discriminating". (1 Corinthians 11:27-30)  

And he took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom. Matthew 26:27-29 

We can fail to discern the Body of Christ in three ways:

  THE MEANING OF THE BLOOD AND FLESH:

We fail to discern when we do not understand the meaning of the fruit of the vine and the bread which are symbolic of His blood and flesh. This is what happened when Jesus first gave this teaching in John 6:47-66 and many turned back from following Him. They did not understand the spiritual meaning of what He was teaching. While many discern the blood for remission of sins, they often do not understand the true meaning of the body. The body is for healing, so we can eat of it and be healed (see John 6:48-58 and Luke 6:48-51).

 DIVISION IN THE BODY:

Sometimes we fail to discern our relationship to brothers and sisters who are part of the Body of Christ. We eat and drink unworthily if we do not maintain unity with our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Paul explains in  1 Corinthians 3:1-13

 that carnal Christians involved in division cannot eat the meat (flesh, body) of the Word because of their carnality.

  EATING UNWORTHILY:

We eat unworthily when we take communion with an unexamined life. Weakness and sickness result. This is why Paul says to examine yourself spiritually and repent before taking Communion.  (1 Corinthians 11:27-33)

  THE EVIL SPIRIT IS NOT CAST OUT

Some do not receive healing because their sickness is the work of an evil spirit which must be cast out. They need more than a prayer for healing. In conditions caused by an evil spirit the Bible records that the enemy was cast out in order for healing to occur. (Matthew 8:16)

    COUNTERACTING GOD'S WORK

If you are praying for healing while indulging in harmful practices, you may be counteracting God's work. For example, if you retain bitterness and anger it may affect the healing of related physical disorders such as ulcers, high blood pressure, nervous tension, etc.

    

     VIOLATION OF NATURAL LAWS

The same God that said "I am the Lord that healeth thee" also gave many natural laws for health and cleanliness to His people. Some people do not receive healing because they violate these natural laws. For example, a person may continue to drink alcohol and wonder why they are not healed of their liver condition. They may continue to smoke cigarettes and wonder why God does not heal their lung cancer.

    

      APPOINTED TIME TO DIE

The Bible teaches that there is an appointed time to die

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; Ecclesiastes 3:2

And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Hebrews 9:27

Even the great prophet Elisha, who did many miracles of healing and deliverance, became "sick with the sickness whereof he would die"

Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. . .   2 Kings 13:14

As we contemplate the following questions:

1.         What variables affect healing?

2.         Why don't more people get healed?

3.         Why are some healed while others are not?

3.         Why are sometimes very shallow and worldly Christians healed while more sincere and dedicated people have not yet received healing?

Our attitude should be as that of a famous evangelist who ministered for many years in healing and deliverance.  Rev. F.F. Bosworth said:

"I, for one, will preach all the Gospel if I never see another man saved or healed as long as I live. I am determined to base my doctrines upon the immutable Word of God, not upon phenomena (experience)."

(Biblical Studies)



07/23/15
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