DECENCY AND ORDER

God has good will toward man, desiring his creature to be in good health. How one shall consider God's emotional will has an effect on how one shall consider his predeterminate will. His emotional will is the desire he has for all men to be saved and to come unto the knowledge of the truth (I Tim. 2:4). God desires all good things for man: health, peace, wealth, prosperity, goodness, and eternal salvation. The elder expresses his desire for the beloved, "I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth" (III Jn., v. 2 [INT]). If we believe God wishes mankind well--which he does--then we may pray in faith without wavering; whether we act in faith upon God's word or not, determines our destiny!

I believe God may heal the sick today miraculously in various manners: by the laying on of hands of believers (Mk. 16:18), the anointing of oil (James 5:14), and individual prayer. However, though I believe in miraculous healing, I do not say that God will heal every person in every situation, for even one among the apostles suffered illness implicitly for a period of time (II Tim. 4:20). Even though God does not heal miraculously in every situation, there should still be seeking of the Lord until he gives an answer. Divine healing should be encouraged and sought after unless God clearly denies the request as he said to the Apostle Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (II Cor. 12:9 [KJV]). Hence, when God confirms to anyone that His grace is sufficient for him, and that His power is being perfected in his weakness, the matter is settled. I do not believe we can comprehend fully how great God's grace is; however, we may be certain that it is far greater than what we may imagine is good for us. Excellent physical health, wealth, education, and many good things may be enjoyed in life; but in a paradoxical manner, even when a Christian suffers the lack or loss of one or all these things, one may be used to demonstrate God's power being perfected in weakness. Whether health, or sickness, it is whether that we have been converted and saved eternally by God's grace that is most important, and his power rest upon us when we lack in this life.

Those who neglect God's emotional will for good unto mankind, and do not seek his blessing and gift of healing, and disallow those who would seek healing for the sick by the miraculous manners spoken of in the Scriptures err because healing is one of the ministries of the church (I Cor. 12:5).

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