13th July, 2006

RUSSELL STUBBINGS

It’s a question believers have grappled with for centuries. The Bible seems clear on the issue. As believers we are told to “lay hands on the sick and they shall recover” (Mark 16:18). Given that healing the sick was a major part of the ministry of Jesus, why then do we so often fail to see the results of our prayers for the sick in terms of complete healing? If you are like me, this is a paradox. We want to believe and hold onto the Word of God, we want to see people healed and lives changed, and yet we can feel powerless and frustrated by the lack of results.

PICTURE: Mario A. Magallanes Trejo (www.sxc.hu) "We want to believe and hold onto the Word of God, we want to see people healed and lives changed, and yet we can feel powerless and frustrated by the lack of results."

There are a number of possible positions regarding this issue of healing. Firstly, that God no longer heals. A commonly held position in some churches is that healing was for the first century believers as a witness to the Gospel during the formative years of the church. This position stands against the overall weight of Scripture and the model and teachings of Jesus. It’s also refuted by those who have experienced God’s healing touch in their lives. Simply, too many people have been healed to credibly claim that God no longer heals. In fact, most would believe that not only can God heal, but He does heal today. The issue relates more to the frequency of healing, not God’s ability or willingness.

A second position is that we fail to adhere to the correct “method” or “formula”. In the Biblical book of James we are told to take the sick person to the elders of the church who should lay hands on him, anoint him with all, and “he will recover”. While this would appear to be a principle, should it be taken a as formula to be applied in all situations? Is it the only method of praying for the sick? Apart from the example of Jesus, the disciples also prayed for the sick with results. In a number of instances, such as the one recorded in Acts 3:1-10 where Peter simply commands the lame beggar to walk in the name of Jesus, the James formula is not followed explicitly. Peter did not anoint the lame man with oil and yet the man walked! From this, it may be better to view the James passage on healing as descriptive rather than prescriptive. Certainly, it provides a Biblical guideline, but should not be used as a magic formula.

Others argue that lack of healing is squarely due to lack of faith, sometimes on the part of the person praying, but more specifically on the part of the person being prayed for. Does the Bible link faith and healing? In a number of situations it clearly does. Jesus brings out the link between faith and healing in Matthew 8:5-13 where He commends the centurion for his great faith and heals his servant. Similarly, when blind Bartimaeus receives his sight, Jesus states that his faith has brought healing (Mark 10:52). Peter in Acts 3:16 also connects faith with healing. Again, James 5:15 teaches that “the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well”. Yet, it may be a quantum leap, and a touch insensitive, to claim that lack of faith results in a lack of healing, even though we can see that faith plays an important role in the act of healing. Certainly, faith is linked with healing and must be considered as a factor in the modern day context.

A final position is that healing is hindered by unconfessed sin. We have all heard comments such as “you are sick because you have sin in your life and God won’t heal you until you have confessed it”. Does the Bible link sin and sickness? In a general sense, sickness entered the world as a result of sin. Jesus also makes a link between sickness and sin when He heals the paralytic brought to Him on a mat (Luke 5:17-26). Again, in John 5:14, Jesus commands the recently healed invalid to stop sinning lest something worse should befall him. Similarly, James 5:15-16 indicates that a connection between sin and sickness cannot be ignored, and confession plays a role in the healing process. But, Jesus also refutes such a connection when he heals a man born blind (John 9:1-3) and responds to His disciples who ask him who sinned to cause the man’s blindness. Jesus replied that no-one sinned, rather the man was sick so that the glory of God could be revealed in his life. On this basis, while sin can cause sickness, we cannot say that this is the case in every instance. To do so can be insensitive and not of any value.

So, why then aren’t people healed as often as we would like? Yes, faith clearly plays an important role and as Western Christians we would do well to grow in faith and hold onto the promises and teachings of God’s Word. Many healing evangelists and teachers through history would advocate that the authority of Jesus to heal has been delegated to us as a legal authority, similar to a power of attorney, yet, we are largely oblivious to the power we have to see others healed in His name. The testimonies of such men as Smith Wigglesworth, John G. Lake, Kenneth Hagin, and John Wimber, and the countless lives changed and healed through their faithful prayers, should encourage us that healing is real and available today. What might happen should we allow our faith to rise and take hold of the teachings and promises of Jesus?

Yes, the Bible sometimes links sin and sickness and not always, but in certain cases it may be a factor. Certainly, we need to prayerfully consider this possibility. The book of James clearly instructs us in how to pray for the sick (James 5:13-16) and should not be ignored. Yet, Jesus tells us that all who go forth in His name have the authority to pray for the sick, not just the elders of the church. However, in the end, we need to understand that God is sovereign, and we as His servants and vessels need to accept this and operate within this framework. Remember, that ultimate healing comes when one goes home to be with the Lord in paradise!

Obviously, this is a limited response to a big issue. Why not study it at a deeper level and ask God what he wants to teach you regarding healing and ministering to the sick? Who knows, the next Smith Wigglesworth may be reading this brief response.

Russell Stubbings is a part-time lecturer for the Year in the Son program at Tabor College, Ocean Grove. He has a keen interest in contemporary missional church planting, the future of the church in Australia, and the intersection between faith and culture.

Got an issue you're struggling with and would like Life's Tough Questions to address? Simply send an email to editor@sightmagazine.com.au.


FOR MORE OF LIFE'S TOUGH QUESTIONS click here...

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Have you had an experience with praying for healing in which somebody has or hasn't been healed? Why not share it with others and have Your Say below...