I think you are missing the whole point of what Metmom, caww and I are trying to say here. There is a misconception about the so-called "sign" gifts and their reality in today's world. We had been discussing "tongues" and the false use and snooty attitude some have who claim to have been gifted with that particular gift. Now we are talking about the person who claims to have the gift of healing. Metmom's experiences within Pentecostal and Charismatic churches WRT her specific malady have been disappointing precisely because of the misuse and false teachings about that gift.
When Jesus healed people, he did so because of their faith in HIM - as the Messiah - and that resulted in his healing of their physical as well as their spiritual needs. Today, we have men and women making a lot of money off of claiming to have this same power that Jesus gave to the disciples as they went about establishing the church and these miracles were confirmations of the authority of the Gospel they preached. People today, such as Benny Hinn, put on these elaborate shows and productions to get people to respond to their pleadings for money - whereas the disciples NEVER healed for that reason. Both Metmom and I have serious physical problems that no amount of prayer, following the right Scriptural directions and huge amounts of faith have so far alleviated. Thousands of people have NOT been healed by these "faith-healers" and leave dejected and lost because they were PROMISED an experience just like in Jesus' days here.
For someone to come along and say things such as "sickness is not from God" ergo the devil is doing this to you and God wants everyone released from the devil's afflictions so therefore something is missing in YOU if you don't have healing, misses a few vital points. They are:
2. God uses sickness to bring about his plan.
3. God does not always take away sickness but has a much higher purpose in it remaining.
4. God is glorified as much, if not more, when sickness remains.
Paul, after asking the Lord three time to heal him and not having it, learned that in whatever state he was therewith to be content and that God's grace is sufficient for him. When he was weak, God's strength was magnified.
So, I disagree that anyone has that gift of healing sign gift today for the same reason I reject that people speak in tongues. BUT, I do agree that God is able to do ALL things and nothing is impossible for him. God DOES sometimes heal and sometimes he does NOT heal and regardless of whether I am healed in this life or I must wait for my glorified, perfect body in heaven, I have learned to trust in God's grace to see me through. It is God who heals me spiritually and that is the more important.
Some of us look at afflictions and infirmities as the refiner’s fire.
There are lessons learned through affliction which I cannot imagine can be learned any other way.
The problem with the name it and claim it theology that everyone should be prosperous and healthy, simply does not fit with us learning to depend on God for everything.
Pentecostals for the most part see affliction as something to be delivered from, not something to overcome. Expecting health and wealth as our *right* is nothing more than entitlement mentality which has crept into and corrupted the church, the thinking being that since we are God’s children, we have the RIGHT to claim (demand) deliverance from anything unpleasant or uncomfortable.
Coming face to face with my own mortality when it really sank in to me what I was facing without divine intervention as this condition progressed and worsened was an experience almost as life changing as my salvation.
It had a way of resetting my priorities and stripping away the hold the world has on my heart and soul, as all the bobbles and trinkets which Satan dangles in front of us to distract us from our walk with God are shown to be the meaningless junk they are.
I see this entire journey with this condition bringing me to a place of being filled with the Spirit that was so life changing that I’d rather live with this condition if it helps keep me this focused on God than without it and drift from Him. There have actually been times where in this new walk with God and closeness of the Spirit that I don’t care if I ever get healed from this as long as I can remain in this level of fellowship with God.
I thought this condition was very limiting and I resented not being able to do stuff, but this past summer, I drove cross country with my daughter and overcame that. It would not beat me and hold me hostage because I am free in Christ. It will NOT stop me from living my life.
In this world we will have tribulation but Jesus has overcome the world. And I can overcome in the midst of affliction which I could not do if I were delivered from it.
I would still like to be healed from it but no longer petulantly demand it and will continue to let His grace be sufficient so that He is glorified by being strong in my weakness.
Preach it, sister.
NO, I am not!
There is a misconception about the so-called "sign" gifts and their reality in today's world. We had been discussing "tongues" and the false use and snooty attitude some have who claim to have been gifted with that particular gift.
SNOOTY attitude? Sounds more like some are looking down on what they don't have what others do. I think this is spiritual warfare - the same what is going on with class warfare. "You have and I don't" mentality. "If I don't have it, it's you who did something wrong to get it or you don't have it, just faking it" mentality.
Today, we have men and women making a lot of money off of claiming to have this same power that Jesus gave to the disciples as they went about establishing the church and these miracles were confirmations of the authority of the Gospel they preached.
Lot of money - more class warfare. The command to "Go make disciples" didn't STOP and neither did preaching the gospel.
People today, such as Benny Hinn, put on these elaborate shows and productions to get people to respond to their pleadings for money - whereas the disciples NEVER healed for that reason.
Healed for what reason? Is that how you see benny, pleading for money? If so, don't go to him. I don't know anyone who has gone to him and if some want to give him money - what business is it of yours. If he is what you claim, people will learn. Because you didn't get, maybe others did. How many went to car mechanics and didn't get want they wanted - so now we have false mechanics. If you think he's false or misleading - ignore him. It's a simple as that. In fact, it would be wise to do that - because you really don't know. Neither do I. Seems those who aren't healed are his loudest critics.
Thousands of people have NOT been healed by these "faith-healers" and leave dejected and lost because they were PROMISED an experience just like in Jesus' days here.
Really? Thousands - do you have that personally verified? Why leave dejected and lost? If they have faith - that they know that they know - NOTHING would make one dejected and lost. Seems more like they were 'trying' it instead of believing it. Are there some false - sure, we know that from Scripture but are all false? Or as some are proclaiming - healing isn't for today. Try telling that to someone who has been healed.
1. God sometimes DOES cause sickness.
WRONG!! Sickness is a curse and Who took the curses on the tree? Either you believe His Word or you don't.
2. God uses sickness to bring about his plan.
He can use sickness for a greater good but HE DOESN'T cause sickness. Just like He uses anything problem we believe Him for.
3. God does not always take away sickness but has a much higher purpose in it remaining.
WRONG!! That's simply a 'to feel good' response.
4. God is glorified as much, if not more, when sickness remains.
Really, how? Sickness is glorying - straight from the pit, IMO. I am The Lord that heals you and God is no respecter of person.
So, I disagree that anyone has that gift of healing sign gift today for the same reason I reject that people speak in tongues.
You can reject all you want, you simply won't have it. No problem. And those that believe, have it. So everyone is happy. So what's your problem - telling others who have it, they don't? Spin your wheels all you want if it makes you feel better. In the meantime, don't say my God brings sickness on anyone! If you believe you are still under the curse, that's your problem.
I will continue to HATE all evil and sickness is evil. BUT, I do agree that God is able to do ALL things and nothing is impossible for him. God DOES sometimes heal and sometimes he does NOT heal and regardless of whether I am healed in this life or I must wait for my glorified, perfect body in heaven, I have learned to trust in God's grace to see me through. It is God who heals me spiritually and that is the more important. For someone to come along and say things such as "sickness is not from God" ergo the devil is doing this to