Tag Archives: healing

Christian

By His Stripes

Have you heard “by his stripes we are already healed”?

Most preachers and teachers today use this as a verse to say God doesn’t want you sick. They use it to talk about healing from physical illness or diseases, even going so far as to say it is a promise of God.

I interpret it differently. I believe we are to place value on each stripe and wound laid upon Jesus when he was scourged. If we truly appreciate his suffering, the healing referred to in “by his stripes we are healed” is healing from sin and death. We stop sinning and learn to walk in the light. In other words we strive to live righteously because Jesus suffered and was crucified showing us exactly that, how to live for God.

If you are seeking physical healing, seek it in accordance with James 5:14-15. If you want to truly be healed, appreciate our Lord’s sacrifice and turn from sin.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Healed

The Bible says in Isaiah 53:5 KJV, But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.

Recently, I have heard many preachers saying that this means our physical healing of things such as diseases and ailments is already completed. They say Jesus bore them on the cross.

I don’t think this is what the verse means.

If we value the sacrifice and death of Jesus (his stripes) we will not continue in sin (we are healed) from iniquity.

In fact this is a theme of the Old and New Testament. Will we come to God and the truth to be healed?

Jesus said in Matthew 13:15 KJV For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

Spiritual healing is critical to our salvation. In fact, it is more important than physical healing. Iniquity is an illness leading to the second death. Hear the truth, value Jesus and his acts, and you will be healed!

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Abdication

The Lord is our healer. He has given specific power to local churches to heal.

James 5:14-16 KJV
Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: [15] And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him. [16] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

The church has largely abdicated the power to heal to modern medicine. Sadly, I think most read the above passages and simply don’t believe.

In this time of Covid-19 many churches have also abdicated the duty (I say duty and not right) to meet.

May the Church believe! Lord help us with our unbelief.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Prayer of Faith

This is my 3rd and final piece of my series “Healing School”.

James 5:15 says, And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

What is the prayer of faith and is it required for healing? I’ll answer the latter first. Yes, this scripture makes the prayer of faith a requirement for healing.

Faith is belief. It is belief in Jesus our Messiah. It is belief that God has both the power and willingness to do miracles. The prayer of faith then is a prayer by someone who believes.

There are entire denominations such as the Church of Christ which believe miracles are ended. I won’t get into the verse they misinterpret to achieve this unbelief. Their unbelief, however, would exclude the entire denomination from the healing power of God as described in James, which promises New Testament miracles.

Is it required that all the praying elders have faith (or enough faith) to believe for the person to be healed? The quick answer is I don’t know for sure.

I don’t think God intentionally placed an insurmountable burden on people to receive healing. I believe if the seeker has faith of being healed and those praying believe God can that they will find healing.

Seek and ye shall find.

Ask and you will receive.

To be clear: If you need healing, seek it according to James 5:14-15. Ask the elders to perform James 5:14-15 as written for you. You may have to go to multiple churches or denominations. Ask the elders if they believe in the power of God. Ask the elders if they believe God can perform a miracle and heal you of your sickness.

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Limitations

If you read my previous post, Healing School, I wanted to clarify a few things.

God can heal whenever, wherever, and however he wants.

Please, don’t think that I’m putting limits on the Lord as some do. In James 5 he tells us how seekers should seek healing and how elders should perform healing.

It is a scripture with promise. It perturbs me when people try to heal other than as prescribed in James. My belief is if people would follow James 5:14-15, the healing success rate would be around 100%. I suppose it’s possible none of the elders could offer prayer in faith, but this could be remedied by seeking prayer at another Church. Seek …

The main problem is no Church that I’ve seen performs James 5 and I suppose that in itself could be indicative of lack of faith.

Ask …

Standard
Christian, Inspirational

Healing School

Let me start by letting you know I’m a doubter. I don’t believe the majority, if any, of the healings done on television are real.

I do believe in miracles and I believe God can heal today. I think that if you’re seeking healing or trying to perform it you should take instruction from the Bible. The Bible does not say breath into the microphone and push someone while they fall over. It does not say to hit someone and scream “out”. Nor does it say to pull a name and ailment out of thin air and call it a word of knowledge.

What the Bible does say concerning healing is this: If any be sick let them come before the elders of the Church. Let them be prayed over and anointed with oil in the name of the Lord. And as a bonus God says if they are healed their sins also are forgiven. That’s a pretty big bonus. James 5:14-15.

I have never seen this performed on television or in person, but if you are a seeker of healing or wish to perform it let me qualify James. Elders of the Church including the preacher are male. I would use a decent olive oil. If you’re worried about the carpet, put plastic down.

Happy healing. And moreover blessed forgiveness!

Standard