Is Healing God's Will

Does God Want Us to Be Healed?

God Wants Us to Be Healed

When one studies the subject of healing in the Bible there is little doubt that God can heal. The question most Christians have concerning healing is, "Is it God's will to heal His children today?" Many sincere Christians struggle with the issue, is it God's will to heal us today or is physical healing for the future when Jesus comes and delivers us from this world of sin? Is sickness and disease to be the lot of God's children until the Second Advent? How can we know what God's will actually is when it comes to healing our physical diseases?

I felt if I studied Jesus' ministry I would find the answer. For the Bible is quite clear as to why Jesus came to this sinful earth. One primary reason was so we could better understand the Father. When Philip asked Jesus to show them the Father Jesus replied, "he that hath seen me hath seen the Father. . ." (John 14:9). The disciple John tells us that Jesus came to reveal the "glory," or character of the Father (John 1:14).

Jesus' Mission

Jesus clearly understood His mission. He came to "do the will" of the Father and to "finish His work" (John 4:34). What these verses tell us is that as we read about Jesus' ministry to those in need we can clearly understand the Father's attitude toward His children. Jesus' and the Father's attitude are the same for they are "one." Jesus' attitude toward the sick and diseased is the same as the Father's attitude. So I began reading what the Gospel writers had recorded about Jesus' attitude and ministry to those who were suffering from sickness and disease.

Jesus came to give His people the abundant life (John 10:10). I have known this text for many years. Yet I hadn't seen it in the light of healing. Anyone who has suffered with sickness and disease certainly knows that such a life cannot be described as an abundant life. Under such conditions life becomes very limited. The sickness and disease takes ones time, energy and focus day after day. Disease not only takes the time, energy and focus of the one sick but also of the care giver and loved ones. .

Jesus Never Said No to Healing!

As I began studying the many instances of Jesus encountering the sick and diseased I discovered that He never once denied anyone's request for healing. I will not take the time in this book to list every recorded case of Jesus healing someone. I invite the reader to do that study for themselves. When one studies the many instances of Jesus healing only one conclusion can be drawn. It is Jesus' will and desire to heal those who request healing from Him.

One day a leper came to Jesus and said, "If you will you can make me clean." The scriptures tell us that Jesus was moved with "compassion" and said, "I will; be thou clean" (Mark 1:40-42). Jesus felt compassion for the sick. Jesus stated it was His will to heal.

Luke recorded Peter's knowledge of Jesus' ministry in the book of Acts. Peter told the people that Jesus "went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil" (Acts 10:38). Peter did not know of one case that Jesus refused to heal. For he states that Jesus healed "all."

Has Jesus Changed?

Is the Jesus we serve today the same Jesus that walked this earth 2000 years ago? Yes He is. The writer of Hebrews is clear on this when he states, "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever" (Heb. 13:8). What good news this is for one who is suffering from sickness and disease. We can come to the same Jesus today that so many sick folks came to 2000 years ago and know that He has not changed His attitude toward sickness and disease. It was His desire to heal then and it is His desire to heal today. Why? Because He is the same today as He was then. He has the same attitude, the same compassion, the same desire and the same power to heal.

John knew his Lord well. He came to know the love of Jesus better than any of the other disciples. John saw Jesus heal on many occasions. He knew Jesus' attitude toward sickness and disease. Jesus' desire became John's desire for God's children. John knew health was God's desire and will for His people and he had the same desire for them also.

"Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth." 3John 2

Healing For God's Glory

All mankind is to glorify God (Ps 86:9). God can be glorified in many ways by His children. Jesus connected physical healing with God's saving works and glorification. When Jesus was passing by a blind man His disciples asked Him about the man. They had some misconceptions about why individuals suffer from physical infirmities such as blindness. Jesus indicated that through his blindness the "works of God" would be "manifest" in him (John 9:1-3). His blindness would be a means for God to be glorified through the healing that would take place. Every time someone reaches out in faith to God and is healed God is glorified.

Jesus received word that His friend Lazarus was sick. Jesus knew he would die. In fact Jesus intentionally delayed arriving to Lazarus' home. When Jesus and the disciples finally did arrive Lazarus had died several days before their arrival. When speaking to the disciples

Jesus stated that the purpose of this sickness was "for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby" (John 11:4). God is always glorified through the healing of His children.

God has given His children many promises in the Bible. Every time the believer reaches out in faith and claims God's promise God is glorified (2Cor 1:20). God's desire is to manifest His power to save us from our spiritual, emotional and physical infirmities. God is glorified when His saving power is manifested.

The Most Important Question

The more I studied the life and ministry of Jesus I learned that Jesus healed all who came to him for healing. I became more and more convinced it is God's will to heal those who come to Him for healing today. God will heal those who in faith claim His promise to heal and such healing brings glory to Him.

This question of whether healing is God's will or not is probably the most important question to be settled. Most all Christians believe God has the power to heal and that He can heal if He chooses to.

This question was the one that caused me to doubt if healing would come when prayed for. As I have discussed biblical healing with others I have found they have the same doubts about God's willingness to heal.

Often individuals tell me of someone who seemed to be a very wonderful Christian, but was not healed of some disease. Such cases are held up as evidence that it is not always God's will to heal His children. Let me pose a couple questions concerning this idea that what happens is evidence of God's will concerning deliverance. Is it God's will we overcome all temptation and sin? We would all answer, yes. If we do not overcome a particular temptation would we say then it is not God's will we overcome that particular temptation? No, of course it is not God's will we fail to overcome that sin. What would we say about that failure to have victory? We would say the failure was on our part, not God failing us. Most likely there was something we didn't understand about victory or were weak spiritually.

The same is true about physical healing. Just because someone is not healed it does not mean it is not God's will to heal them. It simply means there are other dimensions to their healing they do not understand. Such areas of misunderstanding could include lifestyle issues such as diet, exercise, rest, etc. Or, there could be an emotional dimension that needs to be addressed before physical healing can take place.

Lessons From Creation

A subject that one might wonder if it has any relation to the subject under consideration is God's creation. However, as I have reflected on the creation, God's will to heal has become even clearer to me.

We can learn much about God from His creation. It has been called God's second book. As David reflected on the creation he was inspired to declare, "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handiwork" (Ps 19:1). As he considered God's creation of mankind he wrote, "I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: . . ." (Ps 139:14).

What can we learn from nature about God's desire concerning healing of His children? We can find the answer to our question. The creation of man clearly teaches us that it is God's will to heal. God created our bodies to be healed. He gave us an immune system to fight disease. If we cut ourselves it heals.

I have at times heard Christian's state that they believed it was God's will for them to be sick and suffer in pain. Let me ask such a Christian a couple questions. If you are suffering from some painful disease such as cancer are you going to pray to God for healing? Most will answer yes. If you do not receive healing do you then believe it is God's will you have this painful cancer? Many would answer, "Yes." I would then ask, "Are you seeking medical care and treatment for this disease in hopes of being healed?" I am sure all would say, "Yes." Think about the logic of this for one moment. If it is God's will we suffer with painful cancer and we go to a doctor to seek healing of this cancer are we not going against God's will that we have the disease? If He wants us to have this disease then we should bow to His will and not seek to free ourselves from it since it is God's will we have it. If it is His will we be sick, then we should not seek some lifestyle change to rid ourselves of the disease. For if we seek to change something in our life that is God's will we have we would clearly be going against His will, and that would be a sin. Well, I don't think any Christian would conclude that it is a sin to try to obtain freedom from sickness or disease. And if that is true then we should have no doubts as to God's will to heal us.

It Is God's Will to Heal His Children

Having studied the Bible and the life and ministry of Christ I have no question that it is God's will to heal us. I know it is His will. And as I reflect on God's creation and especially the creation of mankind my conviction is even more confirmed. Our very bodies declare loud and clear that it is God's will we be healed. Even the advances in medical science that God has allowed mankind to understand tells me He desires healing for us whether we have faith in Him or not. God's love, mercy and compassion is so great for mankind that He has provided a means for relief from sickness and suffering for even the atheist and agnostic through the advancements of medical science. Yes, God has provided relief from suffering for even the one who curses His name and denies His existence.

In the light of such clear evidence how can we dare to doubt His will to heal us. He has revealed His desire to heal us in so many ways. May we stop listening to the lies of Satan and choose to believe the Word of God and the testimony of nature both of which clearly and loudly declare - IT IS GOD'S WILL TO HEAL HIS CHILDREN!

Pastor Dennis Smith

Comments

Truthful Rabbi
30 Dec 2011, 23:47

I am legally blind, haven't driven either of our vehicles for about 12 years since having an auto/motorcycle
accident that totalled my car, and damaged a motorcycle gang members Harley and left him with only a bump on his hip. By the grace of God, we both had the same insurance company, They covered the cost of repairs to his big bike, and to my car.

I had my eyes examined and was diagnosed with severe bilateral, wide angle glaucoma, and very limited peripheral vision. I was angry, but my inner faith taught me to ask God why. After a two year struggle, I began to realize that God had a totally different line of work for me: the discovery that His plan of salvation is contained in all of His holy moediym.

I discovered that, when I first observed a Messianic Passover Seder and days of unleavened bread, I had begun a soul searching, and His affirmation to me that He is working in My life through the power of the Holy Spirit in a way I had never known before.

I discovered that when I first began to actually keep the Feast of Weeks, or Shavuot, which is all about the Law and the Holy Spirit of the Living God, and it's covenental requirement for sharing the Tithe with the widows, orphans, strangers and poor, as a memorial of how God shared Messiah with me, all I wanted, and now want to do is share.

God has blessed me with income and a business that has grown which has allowed me the privelege of buying my own books which my wife and I have published, and giving free copies to many people. My income is greater than my expenses. PS. My wife is good with money management.

What i was fearful of, blindness, I now thank Messiah Jesus for. I say the first step out in faith, is be thankful for what others call suffering. God will do wonders for you if you thank Him for your suffering. You will see things differently. Ask the Holy Spirit into your life, be thankful, and watch what happens.

Bless Yeshua ha-Maschiach (Jesus, the Messiah)

Today is Sabbath. Shabbat Shalom.

Ron

T Y
15 Nov 2011, 08:43

I strongly believe that it is God's will for us to be healed. Going through the book of Matthew to John, Jesus never refused anyone of healing. He came to reflect whom the Father is (Hebrew 1:3). Acts 10:38- Jesus went about doing good. God wants you well.

Jordan
18 Apr 2011, 06:14

Just reading through the comments, with all respect Pastor Dennis I have to disagree with you on many of the points you make.

It is not God's will for us to always be healed. Just take note of Paul who had a thorn of the flesh (Galatians 4:13). Also Timothy who suffered from stomach problems. Other reference to Gods servants experiencing physical ailments are 2 Timothy 4:20 and Phil 2:25-30.

Also you said in your last post "God...didn't cause the blind man to be blind". Are you completely ignoring Exodus 4:11 "Then the LORD said to him,"Who has made man's mouth? Who makes him mute, or deaf, or seeing or blind? Is it not I, the LORD?"

Jerry
16 Apr 2011, 15:41

the thing your missing Adrian is simply Faith

al metcalf
16 Apr 2011, 08:14

What rubbish... Please read about Elisha and the suffering he endured at the end of his life. Smith is not presenting a sound Biblical argument here.

José Carlos Baptista
31 Mar 2011, 15:11

If we simple believe what is written with the child faith , we recognize that it is really works because God is always faithful. I have proved in my own life many times and He never failled. Some promisses have time and a misterious way to hapen, but throught fellowship with Him we always reciev direction and peace till our faith growns...

Roxie
29 Mar 2011, 11:21

Adrian, you made me laugh. I am sorry, but sometimes I feel the God would just squash me and get it over with too. But, I do have hope, I do. One thing I hope for more than anything is that He will give me the mental strength to go on and that he will forgive me to being like the Israelites in the dessert. Never trying to hope for the future, but wanting to go back to the past. I know in the past I was far from God and today I feel close to Him than ever before. But I am constantly complaining because I can't see ahead of me. But, if I trust Him, and know that what is ahead of me if something wonderful, because He loves me. He has a plan for me and it's a good one. I have to hold on to that. I have to do it on a day by day basis. I hope I don't have to be in the dessert for 40 years to finally get it. I hope.

jude
04 Mar 2011, 07:29

this article is a healing tablet

Teri
11 Jan 2011, 01:10

Thank you Pastor Dennis Smith! Your words have been an answer to prayer for me as I look for discernment on the topic of healing.

I appreciate the understandable language you have used and the logical arguments in support of your position; I especially appreciate that you look to the character of Jesus in forming your answer.

I've been dealing with two significant injuries for the better part of a year now. I've been very healthy up until now, so these injuries - while not fatal - have had a significant impact on my quality of life, my personality, and my confidence.

While I have received some poor counsel on the subject of injuries and healing, some of the best advice I received from a friend the other day produced the best result: She advised me to just ask God what he wanted for me/what was his will with respect to my injuries.

After praying on it, and not even 5 hours later at my physio appointment, I had an answer. My physio looked at me, acknowledged how difficult this has been for me, and stated "You WILL get better". One time wasn't enough, it was almost like she was shaking me to make me pay attention when she said it again, with authority in her voice: "YOU WILL GET BETTER".
Awesome!

Thanks again,

Teri

Terrie
06 Nov 2010, 21:12

I understand how you feel Adrian I have the same problem for many years and other diseases that have come to me too over the years. In the bible people just ask and he healed them. We beg and still are sick I think we are missing something but what that is I do not know.

Sarah
05 Oct 2010, 13:40

Adrian, my dear brother in Christ.
The Lord is always willing, always able, and always faithful to heal. Perhaps you've got some spiritual afflictions that need to be healed first, before God heals your body physically? Have you any unforgiveness or sin that you have not repented of? Maybe (and this really is a maybe seeing as i don't know you personally) you've gone about healing in the wrong way? It doesn't matter HOW you approach God for healing.. because the Lord knows all our needs. Do you really have faith in our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ? Do you believe in your heart that the Lord will heal you? My dear friend, i want you to do this. Pray to the Lord, ask Him to show you where your wait for healing went wrong. Beg Him for forgiveness, repent of your doubt. Then my brother, i want you to believe. And i mean really believe. Believe as you're praying, that you have already recieved your healing. No matter what your body or your flesh tell you, you have got to believe. Do not ask the Lord to heal you again, because He has heard you. Instead, give God the glory. Praise the Lord for answering your prayer (even if you still feel ill, afflicted etc.) and meditate on His word. My dear brother, may God bless you. I'm praying for you.

DorothyAnne
01 Aug 2010, 09:24

I Have A Blood Disorder That Causes Me To Bruise And Bleed Under My Skin! They Did I CT Scan And Found No Lympnode Cancer But They Found An Enlarge Liver & Spleen! With 2 Spots On The Liver, I Know Whatever Happens Is In Gods Will For Me!

Praise God Even In Your Sickness, Hes Love You And He'll Be There For You! Accept His Will, I Do! I Believe In Sickness Its A Way To Have A Closer Walk With God!

Friday I Had Bone Marrow To Find Out My Platelets Are So Low! I Pray They Don't Find Cancer Or Something Life Threating, But It Could Be Gods Will For Me! I Accept It!

I Know The Reason For All The Bone
Marrow & Ct Scan Is To Find Out Why I'm Brusing So Easly! I Know I Have Low Platelets And If They Drop To Low I Could Bleed Internally!

God Has Given Me Great Doctors, They Have Me On Predisone And Its Keeping At A Safe Level And I Might Have To Have Blood Transfusions! But It Means One More Day I'm Here!

I'll Be Seeing My Doctor Tuesday For The Results! Any Comments You Have I'd Love To Hear Them! Praise Today!

DorothyAnne

anonymous
11 Apr 2010, 22:13

First off I would just like to say that I believe that God does want the best for us and that He does heal people all the time. However,I do believe that sometimes God does decide not to heal us. Ultimately the decision is up to him to heal us or not! Yes we must have faith and believe that he is going to heal us, but maybe he chooses to not heal us for reasons that we cannot understand. Look at Job, for example, Job was righteous in God's eyes and yet God still allowed him to be physically afflicted. God was testing Job to see if he would remain faithful. Another example is Paul;Paul asked God on several occasions to relieve him of the thorn in his flesh, but God simply said that his grace was sufficient. We cannot make the mistake as Christians of expecting God to do everything for us and heal us whenever we want! We forget that He is God and we are not! Healing is for the glorification of God and He is the one who ultimately decides whether he wants to heal us or not.

Rabbi Ron
28 Feb 2010, 11:38

In a very real sense, when the over-seeing angel, named Lucifer in Heaven, rebelled, fought a battle with God, Father, and Son (of whom Lucifer was jealous), Lucifer created a situation that God did not create. Lucifer committed the very first sin: covetousness based on selfish greed for power.

God could have, as the pastor has said, just simply destroyed all sin, right there and then. But, He also knew that the 2/3 of the angelic host would have seen all the horror. God knew that they would at first be afraid. Then, as time went on, they would start fomenting rebellion among themselves. Just as Lucifer did. Would you and I have ever been born?

God had the choices which were in no small way forced upon Him by one of His top angels. We, today, by our actions and self-pity, force upon Jesus, the Son of God, the same choice in the end.
There is either thankfulness or, ultimately, rebellion. If I can be thankful, then I will not rebel against God.

Helping others reduces one's own sense of suffering.

Rabbi Ron
27 Feb 2010, 19:20

In the last comment, one can see the suffering of the person who has tried so long to cooperate with God in attempting to find healing for his disease. We all suffer sicknesses in our lives. I have coronary artery disease and two stents in my coronary arteries.

Working as a social worker, and starting a business, I worked "both ends against the middle." I ate at McDonald's. My wife didn't. When I went in after having major chest pressure, and the Catholic cardiologist took me to an SDA hospital, they saved my life, even though I continue on 5 medicines every day that I hate some of the side effects of. I am legally blind as well.

I do my full exercises every day, keep the diet they put me on, take the meds, and I stopped feeling sorry for myself and started a new regimin: thanking God every day that he has seen fit for me to witness in this way, which i do as often as I can. Soon it will be Passover time (Christian Passover, SDA style by SDA ministers whom I have come to cherish, along with learning more about Yehashua HaMaschiach (Jesus, the Messiah) Baruch ata Adonai elochenu. Praise God (Father and Son).

cheryl
02 Dec 2009, 06:10

God was the One who taught us on persistent prayer. Do google and read about Marolyn Ford's miraculous healing of her eyes. Take God's word at face value; they are not there to mock us. ANYTHING is POSSIBLE to those who believe.

ritesh
10 Aug 2009, 04:50

where is god , when will god heal me and my disease , pls answer me pls reply me ur answer , i waiting for ur answer
my Email : marlboro_2002in@yahoo.com

ritesh
10 Aug 2009, 04:50

where is god , when will god heal me and my disease , pls answer me pls reply me ur answer , i waiting for ur answer
my Email : marlboro_2002in@yahoo.com

iki
14 Jul 2009, 14:41

hello i am young man come from iran i have a hard illness i demand you heal me from remote you are only hope of mine for heal i actually need to your help for earn my health i swear you to christ help me and heal me from remote please send your answer to iranianseiya@live.com

Pastor Dennis Smith
27 Nov 2008, 16:19

Adrian

I am replying to your question about the blind man's healing bringing glory to God. When the Bible speaks of God being glorified it is referring to God being revealed as a loving, merciful, delivering heavenly Father. Anytime God intervenes to deliver man from the results of sin He is revealing who He is; He is revealing His character or glory.

The issue you are referring to actually goes all the way back to the origin of sin. God could have stopped it in the beginning by destroying Satan or destroying Adam and Eve when they sinned. However, God chose to let sin continue. Now God didn't cause sin to happen just like he didn't cause the blind man to be blind. In man's case he could have let sin go on and man ultimately destroy himself; for the ultimate result of sin is death. However, as a result of sin an aspect of God's character is being revealed in the plan to save man from his sins; God is being glorified through His saving activities in behalf of fallen man.

Sickness and disease is the result of sin. God didn't cause the man to be blind. God didn't have to heal the blind man. However, when He did God's character was revealed; God was glorified. Therefore, Jesus associated the healing of the blind man with God being glorified.

I personally believe God wants all of His children to be healthy. That is why He gave health principles in the Bible. However, due to inherited predispositions to disease and poor health habits we often suffer sickness and disease. Yet, I believe the Lord has made it possible for us to be healed and experience the health He created us to enjoy. I explain this in greater detail in my book, Spirit Baptism & Deliverance. So I won't go into a lengthy description now.

I hope this helps with your question.

God bless,
Pastor Dennis Smith

Adrian
24 Nov 2008, 17:18

Well, this is a most convincing argument. However, I still have one Q. who made the blind man blind, and if it was for God's glory, then one could conclude that God allowed the sickness to come on him just so he could get glory. For we know Jesus said it wasn't because of his sin.
This makes me think we are such miniscule pawns in his game of chess, that he can squash us for his glory if he wants to.
I have asked for healing for 33 yrs, tried all sorts of deliverance, elders prayers, oil annointing, medications, claiming the word promises, diet changes, and still nothing.Sometimes I wish God would just squash me and get it over with.

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Is Healing God's Will for His Children?