On the subject of why people do or do not get ill:
We have good reason to believe that God does heal, but in His own time, and in His own way. 5 years ago my wife Beth was diagnosed with cancer, and in the three weeks between the diagnosis and the surgery, much praying was done and the biopsy revealed nothing but a blood sac where there should have been a tumor. The doctor was baffled, and it has been a great testimony.
But God does not always immediately remove illness. Some illnesses are given in rare instances so that God's power can be shown (such as how we view Beth's cancer diagnosis)...this is illustrated in Matthew 9:2- 8, Mark 2:2-12 , and Luke 5:17-26 . Sometimes though people get sick because we live in a fallen world, with a polluted environment that affects our bodies in a negative manner, such as the many who get chronic diseases or cancer. Even many who have claimed to be faith healers have died of cancer, or had family members die of cancer.
Some illnesses are given for other specific incidences. The early church fathers all agreed that Paul's "thorn in the side" was illness, it is agreed it wasn't a spiritual thing because Paul specifically said that this thorn was "in the flesh." This was what he meant when he said that he preached in Galatia because of an illness, which he plainly said in Galatians 4:13-16. We can safely assume that this was a painful eye disease, because Paul talked about what an awful trial was in his flesh and that the Galatians would have plucked their eyes out and given them to him. Then Paul said that he would glory in this sickness so that the power of Christ might rest upon him (2 Cor 12:9). Furthermore, he even said that he took pleasure in being sick. (2 Cor 12:10)
I know Beth, who has had chronic conditions for years, has used them to draw closer to the heart of God. When she is weak, she knows God is strong. When she is unable to do something on her own, she is acutely aware of how near God is, and how He lifts her up.
Paul instructed Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach's sake and his infirmities (1 Timothy 5:23). This reminds us of two things: First, God also encourages the use of medicine, and wants Christians to develop wise eating and drinking habits and a use of hygiene and cleanliness such as treating polluted water and keeping one's body clean. Second, some Christians can expect to have numerous sicknesses no matter how godly they are. Godly Timothy did, so did Paul. The Bible says he not only had stomach problems, but "often infirmities" of other types.
We should seek the Lord in prayer for a touch of His power to relieve anything we have. But we should not continue to do this day after day with no results. For example if you have a migraine headache you should pray but if you still have the headache the next day you shouldn’t be waiting for supernatural healing as much as going to the medicine cabinet and reach for the aspirin. If you have an infection you can pray but if it doesn't go away don't just depend on prayer but on medicine and doctors. Remember Luke was physician, he didn't give up his vocation to lay hands on people.
Phil. 4:12" "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. and in all things I have learned whether to be fed or to be hungry, whether living in plenty or in want I can do all things through Him who gives me strength". Contentment in whatever state of condition one is in shows maturity in ones spirituality. To condemn those who are not healed shows one's contempt against God and His sovereign will in our lives. People who believe and teach the "Perfection" gospel (if you believe enough you'll be healed, if you believe enough you'll get prosperity, if you believe enough you'll suffer no great tribulations in life) are part of a toxic faith; which is impossible to live up to. People get sick, people have financial issues at times, or have problems come into their lives. (Christ promised persecution and suffering would follow those who believe in Him- for if He suffered, so will His followers.)
We always ask for prayer when in need physically, emotionally or spiritually- it is what God wants us to do- and the prayers of the believers can do much. Prayers are also a way of showing love for one another, when we lift each other up to God we show our hearts not only to God but to each other. I know when Beth is having a rough enough day that we ask for prayer, that we know God hears and honors those prayers, and I know that the people that pray for Beth give her immense comfort. God heals in His time, and in His own way. Some illness He lifts immediately, some go on for whatever purpose; hence the many devout Christians who have died of cancer or live with a chronic condition. Those with an illness should pray, and if need be seek medical attention (God did give us physicians such as St. Luke), and in awaiting healing use that illness to help deepen their faith. Suffering, in any form, can soften and shape our character for the good if we let it.
We have good reason to believe that God does heal, but in His own time, and in His own way. 5 years ago my wife Beth was diagnosed with cancer, and in the three weeks between the diagnosis and the surgery, much praying was done and the biopsy revealed nothing but a blood sac where there should have been a tumor. The doctor was baffled, and it has been a great testimony.
But God does not always immediately remove illness. Some illnesses are given in rare instances so that God's power can be shown (such as how we view Beth's cancer diagnosis)...this is illustrated in Matthew 9:2- 8, Mark 2:2-12 , and Luke 5:17-26 . Sometimes though people get sick because we live in a fallen world, with a polluted environment that affects our bodies in a negative manner, such as the many who get chronic diseases or cancer. Even many who have claimed to be faith healers have died of cancer, or had family members die of cancer.
Some illnesses are given for other specific incidences. The early church fathers all agreed that Paul's "thorn in the side" was illness, it is agreed it wasn't a spiritual thing because Paul specifically said that this thorn was "in the flesh." This was what he meant when he said that he preached in Galatia because of an illness, which he plainly said in Galatians 4:13-16. We can safely assume that this was a painful eye disease, because Paul talked about what an awful trial was in his flesh and that the Galatians would have plucked their eyes out and given them to him. Then Paul said that he would glory in this sickness so that the power of Christ might rest upon him (2 Cor 12:9). Furthermore, he even said that he took pleasure in being sick. (2 Cor 12:10)
I know Beth, who has had chronic conditions for years, has used them to draw closer to the heart of God. When she is weak, she knows God is strong. When she is unable to do something on her own, she is acutely aware of how near God is, and how He lifts her up.
Paul instructed Timothy to take a little wine for his stomach's sake and his infirmities (1 Timothy 5:23). This reminds us of two things: First, God also encourages the use of medicine, and wants Christians to develop wise eating and drinking habits and a use of hygiene and cleanliness such as treating polluted water and keeping one's body clean. Second, some Christians can expect to have numerous sicknesses no matter how godly they are. Godly Timothy did, so did Paul. The Bible says he not only had stomach problems, but "often infirmities" of other types.
We should seek the Lord in prayer for a touch of His power to relieve anything we have. But we should not continue to do this day after day with no results. For example if you have a migraine headache you should pray but if you still have the headache the next day you shouldn’t be waiting for supernatural healing as much as going to the medicine cabinet and reach for the aspirin. If you have an infection you can pray but if it doesn't go away don't just depend on prayer but on medicine and doctors. Remember Luke was physician, he didn't give up his vocation to lay hands on people.
Phil. 4:12" "I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. and in all things I have learned whether to be fed or to be hungry, whether living in plenty or in want I can do all things through Him who gives me strength". Contentment in whatever state of condition one is in shows maturity in ones spirituality. To condemn those who are not healed shows one's contempt against God and His sovereign will in our lives. People who believe and teach the "Perfection" gospel (if you believe enough you'll be healed, if you believe enough you'll get prosperity, if you believe enough you'll suffer no great tribulations in life) are part of a toxic faith; which is impossible to live up to. People get sick, people have financial issues at times, or have problems come into their lives. (Christ promised persecution and suffering would follow those who believe in Him- for if He suffered, so will His followers.)
We always ask for prayer when in need physically, emotionally or spiritually- it is what God wants us to do- and the prayers of the believers can do much. Prayers are also a way of showing love for one another, when we lift each other up to God we show our hearts not only to God but to each other. I know when Beth is having a rough enough day that we ask for prayer, that we know God hears and honors those prayers, and I know that the people that pray for Beth give her immense comfort. God heals in His time, and in His own way. Some illness He lifts immediately, some go on for whatever purpose; hence the many devout Christians who have died of cancer or live with a chronic condition. Those with an illness should pray, and if need be seek medical attention (God did give us physicians such as St. Luke), and in awaiting healing use that illness to help deepen their faith. Suffering, in any form, can soften and shape our character for the good if we let it.
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