False Gospel of Healing
There is a false Gospel going around these days that says the price for our physical healing was provided for in the suffering of Christ on His way to the cross. In other words, because of the wounds Jesus suffered at Calvary the price for our sins was made. This teaching is heresy and clearly false. This belief comes from a passage in Isaiah 53, a prophecy concerning the messiah.
Isaiah 53:4-5
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered him stricken by God, smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Context is so important in these passages to avoid misinterpretation. In verse 4 it says he took up our infirmities and other than this one line, the entire chapter is about Jesus being pierced for our transgression (rebellion,sin), and crushed for our iniquities (sin). Next it says he took the punishment that brought us peace. Then it concludes that part of this passage with, "by his wounds we are healed". To fully understand this passage we must look at the New Testament. In Matthew 8:17 it says:
Matthew 8:16-17
That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
Some might look at this and say, "See, the passage in Isaiah is talking about physical healing from disease and sickness". Yes, there is a part of this passage in Isaiah that says he took our illnesses and bore our diseases but this is not in connection with the wounds and suffering of Christ at Calvary. It says what He did that evening when he healed all who were sick and suffering fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet. In other words, he fulfilled it that evening and not sometime in the futures. Sure it wasn't the last time, but this shows us that it was not related to the suffering at Calvary or else it couldn't have been fulfilled yet. It also makes no mention of the line that says, "by his wounds (or stripes) we are healed". This part is mentioned later in 1 Peter 2 which says:
1 Peter 2:22-25
22He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. 23When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
In this passage it talks about following the example of Christ and patiently enduring suffering even when we've done no wrong because we are mindful of God. It then says in verse 24 that Jesus bore our sins, and by his wounds we have been healed. This has nothing at all to do with physical healing.
Conclusion
The reality of this life is that we are all born into sin and are evil from birth. There is no one who seeks after God, no one who desires to do right. We deserve eternal separation from God in hell but the Good News, the Gospel is that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. What a mystery it is that God would become a man, suffer and die for the sins of his creation that they might spend eternity with Him. This false Gospel of healing distracts people from the reality and truth of the Good News of Christ and cheapens what He did. Jesus didn't suffer and die for something temporary (this life), he didn't suffer because of sickness and disease. He suffered because I sinned against him, it was my sin that nailed him to the cross, it was my rebellion and evil desires that caused His death, not disease and sickness. It is because of His suffering and death for my sins that I have peace and it is because of His suffering and death that I am healed from the disease of sin.
Comments (0)08-17-2008 14:20
I Surrender All
All to Jesus, I surrender;
All to Him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust Him,
In His presence daily live.
I surrender all, I surrender all,
All to Thee, my blessèd Savior,
I surrender all.
All to Jesus I surrender;
Humbly at His feet I bow,
Worldly pleasures all forsaken;
Take me, Jesus, take me now.
All to Jesus, I surrender;
Make me, Savior, wholly Thine;
Let me feel the Holy Spirit,
Truly know that Thou art mine.
All to Jesus, I surrender;
Lord, I give myself to Thee;
Fill me with Thy love and power;
Let Thy blessing fall on me.
All to Jesus I surrender;
Now I feel the sacred flame.
O the joy of full salvation!
Glory, glory, to His Name!
Continue reading >>> Comments (0)08-10-2008 23:53
What Should be our Primary Focus
Friday I had the opportunity to listen to a couple speak about their experience in ministry and how God was working through them. To my surprise they attend a church I have been very critical of, going so far as to label the pastor a false teacher and a heretic. The meeting took place over a nice BBQ with some good friends and the idea was that we would come together for fellowship, good food and listen to this guy tell us about his experience in ministry and thus be encouraged in our own ministry. He began by telling us where he was from and immediately a red light came on in my mind saying, "Oh no, is he from that church" and then he had to say it...he had to go and say "I go to the Bethel church".
Continue reading >>> Comments (1)08-09-2008 23:35
Does God Always Want To Heal Us?
Is it truly God's will that we should be healed physically of every infirmity?
John 9:1-3
1And as he passed by, he saw a man blind from his birth. 2And his disciples asked him, saying, Rabbi, who sinned, this man, or his parents, that he should be born blind? 3Jesus answered, Neither did this man sin, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.
II Corinthians 12:7
7To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong
Continue reading >>> Comments (0)06-18-2008 03:27
Trusting In God
The Lord God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob is good and His mercy endures forever. The God of my Savior is faithful and His love and endures forever. I was falsely accused of things I never could have said because I don't even know the information I was accused of giving out, but praise God He has continued to be with me and protect me.
Psalm 70:1-5
Make haste, O God, to deliver me!
O LORD, make haste to help me!
Let them be put to shame and confusion
who seek my life!
Let them be turned back and brought to dishonor
who desire my hurt!
Let them turn back because of their shame
who say, "Aha, Aha!"
May all who seek you
rejoice and be glad in you!
May those who love your salvation
say evermore, "God is great!"
But I am poor and needy;
hasten to me, O God!
You are my help and my deliverer;
O LORD, do not delay!
Continue reading >>> Comments (0)06-12-2008 01:25