44a. We don’t and shouldn’t allow experiences to make our doctrine in the area of salvation from sin, regardless of whose experience it is or how contrary to the Word it is. (Psa 19:7-10, Mat 15:3-9, Jn 7:17-18, Eph 4:11-15, 2 Tim 3:16, Tit 1:9, Jud 3)
44b. Why is experience that deciding factor for much doctrine and practice in the area of healing? It appears that so many feel we must defend and uphold the experience of a well-respected saint at all costs, even if their experience is contrary to Scripture. Perhaps concerning no other topic within the church than physical healing are men’s words, experiences, and emotions honored above those of the Master Himself. (Same references as above)
45a. It doesn’t matter how holy and separate from the world we are, if we do not obey and cooperate (as co-laborers) with God for the fulfillment of the Great Commission, God’s will for the salvation of souls will be hindered. In others words, our standards of holiness are not a substitute for obedience to the Commission, and they will not make up for our inactivity, unbelief, etc. (Mar 16:15-20, Rom 10:13-17, 1 Cor 3:6-9, 2 Cor 6:1)
45b. My deep concern is that unbiblical beliefs in the area of healing will be accepted, excused, and justified because after all, we believe in a holy, separated life of standards. (As if this will make up for our unbelief) We are co-laborers with God in this area too. If we neglect to lay hands on the sick, take authority, and believe, then God’s will for healing will be hindered. Honestly, we should never be in a position/scenario where someone dies sick and lost (a unregenerate sinner) to whom we ministered. (Same references as above with the addition of Mat 9:29, Rom 3:3-4, Rom 12:6, 2 Tim 2:13, Jam 5:14-15)
46a. When we see someone who is obviously bound by sin, depressed, etc, do we pass off the opportunity to minister to them with the mindset, “God knows what He’s doing. Perhaps, He’ll get more glory out of them staying in that oppressed condition…”, while we leave and sing along to what we have in Jesus and what’s waiting for us on the other side? (Mat 7:12, Lu 10:30-36, Acts 3, 1 Jn 3:16-18)
46b. How many times have we been guilty of seeing someone with a severe, obvious physical affliction (disability, paralysis, deformity, etc) and passed off the opportunity to minister to them by thinking, “God knows what He’s doing. Perhaps, He’ll get more glory out of them staying in that oppressed condition…”, while we walk to our cars, drive wherever we wish, and enjoy able health? How much more for the visibly afflicted saints among us should we exercise our faith for them and edify their faith as well? (Same references as above)
47a. When we see someone obviously bound by sin, addiction, etc, how many of us ask God, “Why don’t you do more for people like that?” What would God’s response be? Perhaps, something like this, “I’ve equipped and sent you! If their condition bothers you so much, you do something about it! Represent me, as an ambassador, and trust me to back you up with confirmation!” (Mat 10:1, 7-8, Mat 28:18-20, Mar 16:15-20, Lu 10:1-11, 19, Jn 14:12-14, Jn 20:21, Acts 1:1-8, 1 Cor 6:17, 1 Cor 12:27, 2 Cor 5:17-20, Eph 5:30, Col 1:27, 1 Jn 4:17)
47b. When we see someone obviously bound by sickness, disease, etc how many of us ask, “Why God? Why don’t you do more for people like that?” I believe God’s response would be similar to the one already mentioned, “You’re my ambassador! I’ve given you authority and power! If you care so much for them, use what I’ve given you and do something about it!” We don’t expect people to be saved and church growth without us giving God something to work with, aka outreach. He’s looking for something to work with in healing as well. (Same references as above)
48a. A minister is usually not required to personally do follow-up on every single person to whom he/she has preached the Gospel, even if a prayer of salvation was prayed. What minister could constantly make sure every person that ever made a decision for Christ is still pressing on with the Lord? (The Ministry of Jesus and the Book of Acts)
48b. Why is healing ministry held to a different standard and criticized when a minister doesn’t do personal follow-up on everyone who received prayer for healing, to make sure they are still healed? Did Jesus and the apostles do this? Follow-up is good and needful, but one person is not obligated to the continued upkeep of everyone who has ever received ministry from them. (Same as above)
49a. True preachers of the Gospel have suffered all kinds of criticism, slander, and persecution for faithfully standing with what Scripture clearly says. They could have compromised truth to agree with people’s experience, or culture’s preferences, and still sold books, audio/digital resources, etc. However, their unwavering, consistency to true beliefs regarding salvation is admirable. (Mat 5:10-12, Acts 20:17-38, 2 Cor 2:17, 2 Cor 4, 2 Tim 2:2, Heb 13:17)
49b. Let us not forget that many ministers who have believed and ministered healing for decades have suffered criticism, slander, and persecution also. In other words, in was not the easy road of least resistance to believe in the will of God to heal every sick person against the pressure to believe otherwise. They could have easily changed their beliefs to agree with mainstream, best-selling authors and people’s experience and still sold books, resources, etc. Does not their unwavering longevity and consistency say something significant about the validity of their position? Critics can say what they want, but which position shows more self-denial than self-preservation? (Same references as above)
50a. Every Christian must overcome the devil’s main lie targeting our faith: “What if?” Let me explain. For a sexually immoral, drug addict to believe and receive salvation from sin, we encourage them to cast down those thoughts of, “What if I go right back to sin, addiction, etc? What if it don’t last? What if it makes God look bad and hurts the faith of others?” We know that no one can live an effective life of faith while in bondage to the “What if’s.” I mean, if we allowed it, there could be a “what if” for every thing that God promises in His Word. (freedom from sin, Holy Ghost baptism, financial giving, etc) If we gave in to the “what if’s” we would never act in faith on the Word. “What if” is fear, and it’s not of God. (Every one of the approx. 365 times in Scripture we are told to “fear not”, Mat 7:7-11, Lu 12:22-32, Rom 8:15, 31-32, 2 Tim 1:7, 1 Jn 4:18)
50b. Oh, how many times “what if” has hindered and robbed faith for healing. The “what if’s” seem to get more of a pass in the area of healing for some reason. We were never meant to live with the mindset of “What if I believe God’s Word but He doesn’t keep His promises?” That thought is nonexistent in the mind of Christ and should sound utterly incoherent and illogical to the believer. (In addition to the references above, ultimately our victory in any area of life solely depends upon whether we are convinced and persuaded (aka “believe” Gr “pisteuo”) that the Word of God is true and trustworthy above all else. We will never rise above our confidence in Scripture. God is never obligated to honor unbelief and doubt. (Psa 78:41 with entire chapter, Mat 17:19-20, Heb 3:19, 4:1-2, 8:9) Num 23:19, Psa 33:4, Psa 89:34, Psa 119:89 and the whole chapter, Mat 24:35, Rom 3:3-4, 2 Cor 1:17-20, 2 Tim 2:13, Tit 1:2, Heb 6:18, Heb 11:6)
There is so much more that could be said. Please don’t reject any point without looking up the verse references. I pray that these 50 points of comparison between salvation from sin and sickness help us to overcome the emotional intimidation and mental pressure that often keeps us from receiving and ministering healing by faith and the authority of Jesus’ name.
Our infinitely loving Father never meant for something so glorious and beautiful as divine healing to be a touchy, volatile area that few dare to walk in, and the few only because their past experience perfectly testifies that everyone has received healing in every case. This “few” doesn’t exist. If the only way that we could legitimately believe in the will of God to heal all is if our experience has been such, nobody could believe. However, everyone can believe the Bible and experience the promised results of both salvation from sin and sickness. The reason that physical healing seems more difficult to experience is because it’s the easiest area to be influenced by sight and feelings, neither of which are faith. Jesus equally provides salvation from sin and sickness as summarized by two Scriptural phrases: “As many (sinners) as received him” were made sons of God. “As many (sick) as touched him” were made whole.
To be continued in Part 7…
