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Ring of Truth provides 366 daily ‘proofs’ that the Bible is consistent throughout from Genesis to Revelation, and relevant for our lives today!
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John 9:25
“He replied, ‘Whether he is a sinner or not, I don’t know. One thing I do know – I was blind but now I see!’”
“One thing I know.”
I don’t claim to know how or why – but I do know this – it works. Christianity works. I don’t know how, but I do know Who.
‘If you are following God the best you can, you will not get ill.’ We have many who subscribe to the same theology today – and it’s fine so long as you remain healthy. The trouble comes when you become sick. Then, not only do you suffer from the effects of the illness, but more than that, you suffer from an overwhelming sense of guilt and go on the proverbial witch-hunt to track down the sin or sins which have caused it. If you are as sinful as I am, there can be a constant hunt.
I don’t deny that some sicknesses are a direct result of the way we live. Unforgiveness, bitterness, envy, hate and revengeful attitudes all have direct consequences on both our mental and physical health. Sexual immorality in all forms comes at a severe cost, as do addictions and abuses of all types.
However, I find it ironic how often the folk who ‘preach’ that ‘prosperity-style’ theology wear glasses or hearing aids as if they are excluded from the theory. I am equally totally convinced that God designed and longs for us to live in health. But He seems more interested in the ‘health of our attitudes and character.’ Some of the most Christ-like people I know suffer disabilities and it is certainly not their disobedience or lack of faith that is the problem.
The other concern I have with this theology is that it is judgmental. I judge that you have sinned badly to be where you are now, or you have a stubborn lack of faith. This becomes even more abhorrent when we relate it to our Blood-bought brothers and sisters. What did Jesus say? “Neither this man nor his parents sinned” (v 2). Listen, neither of them sinned. So stop going down that track.
“This happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life” (v 2). In this example, the man was to be healed. In others, it is so that they can display the greatness of God in overcoming physical difficulties far beyond the capabilities of unregenerate (unsaved) mankind (particularly in attitude, faith and character).
Throughout Biblical history not everyone was healed. Jesus reminded the people that there were many (suffering) widows in Israel at the time of Elijah but he was sent only to one in Sidon, and there were many lepers in Israel in Elisha’s time but he was sent only to Naaman, the Syrian (see Luke 4:25-27).
Listen! Yes, God wants us well and whole. Yes, God does heal today. Yes, by Jesus’ stripes we are healed (see 1 Peter 2:24). Yes, we do pray for everyone to be totally healed and by faith believe they will. (See also James 5:14-15.) But God is the healer, not us, and God is Sovereign and He knows what is best for us.
So often our prayers are self-centred and this world focused. But we are all just passing through. This world is not our destiny – Heaven is. In Heaven there is no crying, no sickness, no disease or pain (see Revelation 21:4).
Why pray to stop people going there if it would be so much better for them?
Yes – of course we want them saved first and if they are – pray for them to be totally healed, but above all, pray that God will accomplish His perfect will in each situation and that Satan will gain no glory.
Remember too – when you share your story with people – they don’t need deep theological arguments or doctrinal statements. All you need to say is – the truth –
“I was blind – but now I see!” “I didn’t believe – but I do now.”
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