Healing

---

Did you know that God purposed for us in Christ to be as free from sickness and disease as He made us free from sin. If we were to survey the Christians in our communities, "What is God's will for man's soul?" I believe they would emphatically agree, "To be saved!"

But, suppose you posed the similar question about man's body? Would their reply be as energetic and convincing? Many believing ones understand the truth that Christ died to redeem us from our sins but have not enjoyed his redemptive work in also taking upon himself our physical afflictions.

1 Peter 2:24:
Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.

Healing and wholeness are redemption manifested. Dr. E. W. Bullinger, in his work on The Divine Names and Titles lists ten redemptive names of God. The 2nd being Jehovah Rapheka from Exodus 15:26,"I am the Lord that healeth thee" or literally, "I am the Lord thy physician."

The Greek word for "healed" in the above mentioned 1 Peter 2:24, is properly used in regard to surgeons. It means to be "revived from illness; to cause to live" and denotes the completion of the act.

As David declared in Psalm 103:3 and 4:

Who forgiveth all thy iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction: who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Colossians 1 reveals that we have "...redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:"

Redemption is to be rescued from and undesirable state. We find neither sickness nor sin a state we crave to be in. Neither is it a condition God would like for us to be mired. Therefore He made provision for us in the finished work of Jesus Christ. In Christ we are as much redeemed from sickness as we have been redeemed from our sins.

Psalm 107:20:

He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.

Has God sent His Word? Yes, absolutely, both in written form and in the flesh (Jesus Christ). Then, every ministry of the Word of God, everyone that teaches of Jesus should be a ministry of healing and deliverance.
When Jesus was teaching his disciples to pray in Matthew 6 he spoke what we refer to as "The Lord's Prayer." Many Christian groups recite it regularly. Some consider it the very essence of daily supplication. However, do we actually believe and live as if it were asked and answered? In verse 10 of Matthew Jesus prayed:
"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."

What would you say is God's will in heaven? Then, what is His will upon the earth? Did not Jesus say, "I come to do the will of him that sent me." Acts 10:34 records:
How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with Holy Ghost [holy spirit] and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

This verse tells us God's purpose in giving holy spirit, His gift, but also the purpose of this power. In addition it tells us the source of sickness, disease and oppression.

When you think of heaven what comes to mind? Do you envision men and women sick and filled with disease? Do you picture humans with deformities? Would you see them in pain or limping along on crutches? No, of course not! Why?
Because it is not God's will nor purpose for heaven.

On the day of Christ's ascension, he gave instruction to his disciples to "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel [the good news] to every creature...lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover." Why, because it is not only the will of God but it is His purposes in Christ.

When Jesus sent out the seventy into the cities he would visit in Luke 10, he charged them, "...And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you." The words "come nigh" mean it is present right now. The seventy returned triumphantly.

That very triumph abides in us today. When the Pharisees questioned Jesus as to when the kingdom of God should come Jesus answered, "...The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: Neither shall they say, Lo here! Or lo there! For, behold, the kingdom of God is within you."

Beloved, if you are enduring through sickness or affliction remember that wonderful prayer you have spoken time and time again. "Thy will hath come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven." It has been asked believe it has been answered and receive His redemptive work in your body.

Often we speak of the "promises of God" and true they are, but, He has purposed in Christ and the gift of holy spirit the power to receive those promises into evidence this moment. He is the Lord thy physician today. His power and presence are here now. The kingdom of God is "come nigh" and His will be "done in earth as it is in heaven."

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE AS A MEMBER OR VISITOR