“What is wrong? Obviously, I am in need of healing. You are a very spiritual person with tremendous ability. Can’t you heal me? If you can’t do it here in my room, then take me to a healing service. I want to be healed. If you don’t heal me, I will die, and my work for the Lord will prematurely end. Intervene, please. I am absolutely confident in God’s power to heal any disease. There’s not a doubt in my mind that He can do it. My faith is definitely as big as the tiny mustard seed our Master talked about.”
Even though Epaphroditus, a wonderful child of God, was hovering between life and death with a serious illness, there is no record of the Apostle Paul conducting an emergency miraculous healing service on his behalf. There was nothing wrong with the faith of either of these Godly men. But, the reality was, Epaphroditus’ condition deteriorated to the extent it seemed he would die. However, in God’s timing, his health returned.
…Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier……indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him…” Philippians 2:25-27
Imagine sister Miriam asking: “Paul, are you going to continue with your missionary tour and leave Trophimus here?” “Yes, I must press on. Trophimus will have to stay here until he gets better, but as for me, I must move on.” Miriam seemed puzzled and asked: “But can’t you touch him or snap your fingers or bless his handkerchief and heal him?” Paul had to leave a fellow worker behind because of illness. (2Timothy 4:20)
Again, suppose a Christian said to the Apostle: “Paul, with all due respect, that’s lame! If Timothy is your closest associate and so absolutely vital to the work of God – couldn’t you do more for his stomach ulcer than merely prescribe some oral medication for him to ingest on an ongoing basis? You might as well have prescribed Tums. Being the deeply spiritual man you are and a ‘chosen vessel,’ couldn’t you heal him once and for all?” (1Timothy 5:23)
Imagine a spiritual counsellor saying to Paul: “I’m hesitant to mention this to you Paul, but you know that thorn in the flesh you struggle with every day? Doesn’t it say that if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed, you could see that problem gone in a flash by the power and might of God? As good a believer as you appear to be, there must be some major secret deficiency in your faith.” (2Corinthians 12:7)
There is no record of any sister taking the Apostle John aside and saying: “Now, John, with your apostolic powers, if you really cared for your dear brother Gaius, wouldn’t you do something about his chronic physical health? Gaius is such a faithful saint – there’s no shortage of faith on his part, and John, I’m sure with your special authority, commissioned by the Lord Himself, that you must be able to do something.” But other than pray, John did nothing. (3John v.2)
Dear child of God, beware of present-day charismatic healers who misinterpret the Scriptures. The drama, the stage acts, the false claims, and the massive sums of money – together create a very foul and suspicious odour.
There’s so much more to be said about illness and healing that this post can’t cover. But may this serve as an alert to the dubious activity of so-called Christians who claim dramatic ‘miracle-working powers’ uniquely bestowed upon them by the Spirit of God in this age. When your healing doesn’t work, they insinuate that you are the problem. You don’t have enough faith. You have some deficiency.
Study your Bible carefully and see the error of charismatic teaching so prevalent around the world. God can certainly miraculously heal (above and beyond pharmacology, medical knowledge and technology or homeopathy) if He chooses to do so – but be sure of this – it is His Divine prerogative to heal or not to heal.
Walk carefully and closely with the Lord today.
Warmly in Christ,
Peter Ramsay
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