Why we aren't healed...

[salamacum]

Well, actually, I've rather overstated the subject line, but I've got you to read.
I wanted to find an open item on healing but couldn't so I've started another topic.
A very thoughtful friend shared in our small group about her eating disorder. This was quite serious and involved aspects of both anorexia and bulimia.
She had this for a long time and was involved in serious, front-line Christian ministry most of the time. (evangelistic groups and outreach)
All the time, she was praying and bible-reading and fellowshipping and doing the right things spiritually. She was also praying for the sorting out of her disorder. (admittedly more initially). She did manage to share her issue with one or two other members.
She also received 2 very accurate words of knowledge, but which were descriptive but not directive. Relationship with distant father had a lot to do with it.
She was finally 'sorted out' when she found her marriage partner and realised that her new social responsibility (for husband and family) meant she had to be physically healthy.
By effort of will she is now relatively 'normal'.
But the interesting thing is, all the time she was in Christian work she was spiritually very on-fire, and very sharp and effective. But her soul life (mind, body and emotions) was limping along and damaged. I'd never really thought that possible before. Surely if you had relationship with God and in his will, you'd be emotionally healed of compulsive disorders.
But it's obvious now and it chimes with my own experience and most of the people in my church. Spiritual sickness needs spiritual cure, loneliness needs community and shalom, physical healing needs a doctor and medicine, emotional damage needs the support of loving others.
And this is how God intended it. It's all 'Christian'.
And it explains how lop-sided and unbalanced some 'earnest' Christians are and how they can say they are (and feel) healed when they manifestly aren't. And how pentecostal and charismatic church members can be particularly vulnerable to this self-delusion.

 

[God&me]

Well, actually, I've rather overstated the subject line, but I've got you to read.
I wanted to find an open item on healing but couldn't so I've started another topic.
A very thoughtful friend shared in our small group about her eating disorder. This was quite serious and involved aspects of both anorexia and bulimia.
She had this for a long time and was involved in serious, front-line Christian ministry most of the time. (evangelistic groups and outreach)
All the time, she was praying and bible-reading and fellowshipping and doing the right things spiritually. She was also praying for the sorting out of her disorder. (admittedly more initially). She did manage to share her issue with one or two other members.
She also received 2 very accurate words of knowledge, but which were descriptive but not directive. Relationship with distant father had a lot to do with it.
She was finally 'sorted out' when she found her marriage partner and realised that her new social responsibility (for husband and family) meant she had to be physically healthy.
By effort of will she is now relatively 'normal'.
But the interesting thing is, all the time she was in Christian work she was spiritually very on-fire, and very sharp and effective. But her soul life (mind, body and emotions) was limping along and damaged. I'd never really thought that possible before. Surely if you had relationship with God and in his will, you'd be emotionally healed of compulsive disorders.
But it's obvious now and it chimes with my own experience and most of the people in my church. Spiritual sickness needs spiritual cure, loneliness needs community and shalom, physical healing needs a doctor and medicine, emotional damage needs the support of loving others.
And this is how God intended it. It's all 'Christian'.
And it explains how lop-sided and unbalanced some 'earnest' Christians are and how they can say they are (and feel) healed when they manifestly aren't. And how pentecostal and charismatic church members can be particularly vulnerable to this self-delusion.

God is the healer to everyone who will believe. The reason your friend wasn't delivered by the power of God, was,
[1] Wrong teaching on healing.
[2] Wrong believing. which comes from wrong teaching. If your friend knew the truth and believed it, she would have been delivered.
God is a God of compassion and wants to heal everyone,
"By His stripes you WERE HEALED" 1 Pet 2: 24. Note, WERE is past tense.
As far as God is concerned we were healed when Jesus was whipped open for our healing, al we have to do is believe and receive.

 

[Jazer]

She was also praying for the sorting out of her disorder.

The Bible says the wages of sin is death. In some cases people need to turn away from their sin if they want to be healed. Far to often we ask to be delivered from the consequences of sin without having to give up the sin itself. God may allow people to remain sick in the hope that they will repent and turn away from the sin that is causing them to be sick. People say not all sickness is caused by sin, but ultimately if there was no sin in the world, there would be no sickness. Jesus is coming for a church that is without spot, blemish or wrinkle. God is looking for a people willing to live Holy and Righteous before Him.

 

[salamacum]

I image most Christians posting on the moderate Christians board believe that physical healing is included in the atonement, but don't believe God intends it always for this life.
Benny Hinn took this issue seriously. He didn't think he would die.
Does he still think so?

 

[Lemmiwinks]

We aren't healed because God doesn't heal people today.

 

[praisehimalleluia]

I believe healing is constantly happening, for those who has faith in the Lord. Even the unbelievers in crusades are being healed, so what most us christians who are aware about Healing Ministries.

Perhaps the spiritual aspect needs to be strengthened in faith in order for us to experience such healings. God works from the inner soul, and there is no room for doubt in HIm, and His Healing grace.

 

[ChristFollower2009]

I believe that healing from the Lord does take place from time to time. I just believe that it is not as well known as other miracles because the media doesn't cover it and such. But I hear all the time about someone who was prayed over by someone else who has been healed of cancer or some other deadly illness.

 

[bliz]

I know God heals today. But I would hesitate to call your friend "healed".

I would not look for the new demands of "social responsibility" to hold up for very long. Effort of will only lasts for a limited time. It is only through God's grace that we are healed, not by the love of a good man.

Hang in there as her friend - she's going to need you.

 

[Aibrean]

It wasn't God's will to instantly "heal" her. Who is to say God didn't provide the husband to help her? God's works are mysterious and his intentions not always obvious.

 

[salamacum]

Aibrean

I'm coming round to believe that God PREFERS his healing of us to be in community than 'supernaturally'

It's a lesson my fellow-church members don't understand and it causes them grief and schizophrenia as they pray everything right, but people still aren't healed.


Why don't they ACT on us being the body of Christ?

 

[GailS2406]

Dear CF'ers - I am going to SO enjoy following this thread. Each of your opinions are wonderful. If our world were full of 'robotic', black and white people perhaps one solution would be enough, (but how boring).

Our Lord Jesus, as read in the Gospels, used so many different ways to minister to, pray-for and effect healings in His Ministry. Again, the Apostles are written to have done the same. The Word of God also shows us - Elders anointing with oil, laying hands on the sick (recovery), etc. Again, nowhere in the Word do we hear where ALL were ALWAYS healed. Yet, when the Holy Spirit directed the Ministry there were dramatic and glorious healings.

I can see the wisdom in our Father God requiring more than the waving of a 'magic wand' to minister healing. The word requiring may be a bit strong...I am thinking more in the lines of our 'in-tune-ness' with the Spirit of God and His direction.

Please comment one and all as this topic is so close to my heart and I would love to hear your feedback.

In-Christ,
Your sister Gail

 

[salamacum]

Some people in our church are doing "healing on the streets".
One very enthousiastic lady (by no means a slouch mentally), sees healings all the time. The rest of us are a bit sceptical especially as we can't follow things up.
However, one thing that has struck her and me is how welcome just being able to offload is. To listen is definitely a grace gift. It's not natural to us and even less IMO with charismatic Christians.
But these people we have stopped in the street have never had anybody giving them the time of day. (giving them their opinion, certainly!)

 

[tobethebest]

Why when healing is the subject do so many place the blame on the person needing the healing? I've always been puzzled by that. They didn't do this, or they didn't do that right, they prayed amiss, they didn't seek out someone for forgiveness, etc. There is no condemnation for them who are in Christ Jesus. Why allow such teaching to continue? Why support such fellowships? This is not a blame game. This is why I have turned away from most everything within the charismatic teachings. The ask, seek, knock concept is harrassing. The confession brings possession concept is maniacal at best. These teachings have made monsters out of so many well intentioned Christians. It must stop. It's time poorly spent to allow those thoughts to overpower anyone's quest for healing. The "we were healed" concept goes as far as to say once you have prayed to be healed, the rest is merely a "confession of faith." They say you don't have to pray that prayer again. Discipleship is one thing, tormenting by doctrine should be punishable. Why spend time with Healing concert services when there are scores of hospitals that need attention? It's all so ridiculous and money plays a heavy role in much of it anymore.

 

[circakalos]

We aren't healed because God doesn't heal people today.

Can you please elaborate on this a bit more?

 

[Aibrean]

God does heal people. Sometimes it requires human intervention and faith.

 

[circakalos]

Being frank is no problem at all, I would encourage this. I am simply asking for whomever I quoted to provide more substance behind ones views is all.

 

[Willie T]

Probably no denomination represented here is more into healing than the Vineyard. Yet, we do understand one very important aspect of it.

All demonstrations of healing have but one purpose, and that is to lead to salvation. Yes, even if it is a Christian who receives the healing.

 

[salamacum]

Why when healing is the subject do so many place the blame on the person needing the healing? I've always been puzzled by that. They didn't do this, or they didn't do that right, they prayed amiss, they didn't seek out someone for forgiveness, etc. There is no condemnation for them who are in Christ Jesus. Why allow such teaching to continue? Why support such fellowships? This is not a blame game. This is why I have turned away from most everything within the charismatic teachings. The ask, seek, knock concept is harrassing. The confession brings possession concept is maniacal at best. These teachings have made monsters out of so many well intentioned Christians. It must stop. It's time poorly spent to allow those thoughts to overpower anyone's quest for healing. The "we were healed" concept goes as far as to say once you have prayed to be healed, the rest is merely a "confession of faith." They say you don't have to pray that prayer again. Discipleship is one thing, tormenting by doctrine should be punishable. Why spend time with Healing concert services when there are scores of hospitals that need attention? It's all so ridiculous and money plays a heavy role in much of it anymore.

Well that about covers it! But don't beat about the bush so much next time!

 

[MikeBigg]

Probably no denomination represented here is more into healing than the Vineyard. Yet, we do understand one very important aspect of it.

Questionable.

All demonstrations of healing have but one purpose, and that is to lead to salvation.

Well, I think that the Father being glorifies in the Son is a purpose behind someone getting healed, some might say the most important purpose. (Jn 14:13)

Also, sometimes I think God heals for the simple reason that a person needs healing.

Regards,

Mike

 

[MikeBigg]

Spiritual sickness needs spiritual cure, loneliness needs community and shalom, physical healing needs a doctor and medicine, emotional damage needs the support of loving others.

you should tell that to the woman who touched Jesus cloak - she had spent all her money on doctors and still not been healed. (Luke 8).

I sympathise with your point, though. We (the Church) really aren't seeing the kind of healings that Jesus saw in enough quantity and regularity.

That said, I think it wrong to give up on seeking God's healing for ourselves and others. Healing is included at the Cross as much as the forgiveness of sins. God payed a high price that our sins may be forgiven and our sick bodies healed. One of the name of God is Jehovah Rapha - God my healer - so healing is at the core of His character. Healing is happening - the Healing on the Streets initiative in the UK sees people healed (I have been involved in that) - Rolland and Heidi Baker are seeing amazing things in Mozambique. There is lots around and I believe it is increasing.

One thing I have noticed is that it seems more lay people are getting involved and there are less super star healing evangelist. Long may this continue, imo.

Blessings,

Mike