| May 17, 1998 |
Vol. I, No. 3
|
Is healing for today? Yes. Both Old Testament and New Testament writers recognize principles of good health, the use of medicines and doctors. Solomon, wisest man of Old Testament times, wrote: “A merry heart does good like medicine...” (Prov. 17:22, KJV). Christ states, in Matt. 9:12, that “those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.” Paul encouraged Timothy to use wine as a medicine for a stomach infirmity, 1 Tim. 5:23. Many of the restrictions in the Old Testament regarding touching dead bodies, abstaining from certain foods, etc., seem to have been at least partially necessary for health reasons. Luke, companion of Paul, and writer of two books of the new Testament was a physician, Col. 4:14.
But what about DIVINE healing? In reality, there isn’t any other kind. As noted, God set His seal of approval on the use of medicines and doctors. Doctors make use of natural, physical laws in treating the sick, and these are DIVINE laws, ordained by God at the beginning of the world. In addition to these means of treating illnesses, God has instructed Christians, “pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5:16). In saying this, the writer did not set aside the truths already established regarding the use of medicines and doctors, but he did affirm that the righteous can go to God and seek providential care. We see then two elements in DIVINE healing: (1) the human element, as God’s natural physical laws are applied by the physician with the use of medicine, and (2) the strictly divine element of God’s care. We must do what we can for ourselves, and leave that which human hands cannot treat to the hand of God. The man who asks anything of God must ask in faith, James 1:6. He believes God is able to abundantly do all we ask of Him, but he also believes that God knows whether it is best to do so or not. For instance, Paul prayed repeatedly for his “thorn in the flesh” to be taken away, but God knew that Paul needed his affliction to keep him humble. Rather than removing Paul’s affliction, God answered Paul’s prayer by giving him strength to bear his infirmity, 2 Cor. 12:7-10.
What about MIRACULOUS healing? A miracle, as the term is used in the Bible, is a work such as “could not be produced by natural agents and means” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). Jesus, His apostles, and some of those on whom the apostles laid their hands, received the power to work miracles. The purpose of the power was the confirmation of the New Testament revelation that was then being received, Mark 16:20; Heb. 2:3-4. When the New Testament became perfect or complete the special gifts of the Holy Spirit were to cease, 1 Cor. 13:8-10, and they did.
God still rules in His natural universe. There is still a need for healing, and all healing is Divine. Every case of healing is effected by working within the framework of Divine law, both physical and spiritual. We do our part, and leave in the hand of God what we cannot do. And we must never forget, “the effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”
--CRJ
[Editor's note: I do not know the religious affiliation or background of the writer, or what view he may hold of special spiritual guidance. I would explain the "still, small voice" of which he speaks as the voice of conscience. At any rate, I have no hesitency what-so-ever to recommend the basic value of his illustrations.--CRJ]
I was holding a notice from my 13-year old son’s school announcing a meeting to preview the new course in sexuality. Parents could examine the curriculum and take part in an actual lesson presented exactly as it would be given to the students. When I arrived at the school, I was surprised to discover only about a dozen parents there. As we waited for the presentation, I thumbed through page after page of instructions in the prevention of pregnancy or disease. I found abstinence mentioned only in passing. When the teacher arrived with the school nurse, she asked if there were any questions. I asked why abstinence did not play a noticeable part in the material. What happened next was shocking. There was a great deal of laughter, and someone suggested that if I thought abstinence had any merit, I should go back to burying my head in the sand. The teacher and the nurse said nothing as I drowned in a sea of embarrassment. My mind had gone blank, and I could think of nothing to say. The teacher explained to me that the job of the school was to teach “facts,” and the home was responsible for moral training.
I sat in silence for the next 20 minutes as the course was explained. The other parents seemed to give their unqualified support to the materials. “Donuts, at the back,” announced the teacher during the break. “I’d like you to put on the name tags we have prepared. They’re right by the donuts. And mingle with the other parents.” Everyone moved to the back of the room. As I watched them affixing their name tags and shaking hands, I sat deep in thought. I was ashamed that I had not been able to convince them to include a serious discussion of abstinence in the materials. I uttered a silent prayer for guidance. My thoughts were interrupted by the teacher’s hand on my shoulder. “Won’t you join the others, Mr. Layton?” The nurse smiled sweetly at me. “The donuts are good.” “Thank you, no,” I replied. “Well, then, how about a name tag? I’m sure the others would like to meet you.” “Somehow I doubt that,” I replied. “Won’t you please join them?” she coaxed. Then I heard a still, small voice whisper, “Don’t go.” The instruction was unmistakable. “Don’t go!” “I’ll just wait here,” I said.
When the class was called back to order, the teacher looked around the long table and thanked everyone for putting on name tags. She ignored me. Then she said, “Now we’re going to give you the same lesson we’ll be giving your children. Everyone please peel off your name tags.” I watched in silence as the tags came off. “Now, then, on the back of one of the tags, I drew a tiny flower. Who has it, please?” The gentleman across from me held it up. “Here it is!” “All right,” she said. “The flower represents a disease. Do you recall with whom you shook hands?” He pointed to a couple of people. “Very good,” she replied. “The handshake in this case represents intimacy. So the two people you had contact with now have the disease.” There was laughter and joking amount the parents. The teacher continued, “And whom did the two of you shake hands with?” The point was well taken, and she explained how this lesson would show students how quickly disease is spread. “Since we all shook hands, we all have the disease.”
It was then that I heard the still, small voice again. “Speak now,” it said, “but be humble.” I noted wryly the latter admonition, then rose from my chair. I apologized for any upset I might have caused earlier, congratulated the teacher on an excellent lesson that would impress the youth, and concluded by saying I had only one small point I wished to make. “Not all of us were infected,” I said. “One of us abstained.”
Robert Layton
The first two chapters of Matthew and the first two chapters of Luke tell us all we know about the birth and early childhood of Jesus. A number of un-Biblical traditions have gradually been built up since that time. Let us briefly look again at the Scripture record. One of the first things we learn is that the Bible does not say that Jesus was born on December 25. It does not tell us the month, the day, nor even the year of His birth. The date, December 25, was not settled on by ecclesiastical leaders until well into the fourth century AD. Since the shepherds were still living in the fields at night, it is unlikely that Jesus was born during the winter months of December, January, or February.
A second fact we might take note of is, that even if we knew the exact date of Christ's birth, we would not know how to properly celebrate that date unless He left us some kind of instructions to that effect. In reality, there is no evidence that Jesus, His apostles, or the early church ever celebrated His birth. His death, however, is to be commended by regular observance of the Lord's supper, Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1 Corinthians 10:16; 11:23-29.
Perhaps you have heard of childhood miracles supposedly performed by Jesus as He was growing up. There were none. The miracle at the wedding feast at Cana of Galilee was the first, John 2:11.
It has been commonly assumed that there were three wise men. The Bible does not say how many wise men visited the infant Jesus. The wise men brought three kinds of gifts, but there is no way to tell how many men were involved in bringing those gifts.
It has been commonly supposed that the wise men saw the star in the eastern part of the sky. The opposite is true. They were "in the East" when they saw the star. Following the star led them to the West, where Jesus was, Matthew 2:1-2.
It has also been surmised that the wise men arrived the same night Jesus was born. A careful study of the context, along with Luke's account, will show that Jesus was no longer in the manger, but was in a house, and was probably several months old when the wise men arrived, Matthew 2:11.
One large religious group insists that Mary, the mother of Jesus, remained a virgin perpetually. The Bible says that Jesus was her first born, not her only son, Luke 2:7. The Bible also indicates that Jesus later had at least four brothers and two sisters, Matthew 13:55-56.
Perhaps many of these matters are not of extreme importance, but it is important for us to remember that all we really know about Jesus is what we learn from the teachings of the inspired Scriptures
--CRJ
It is easier to preach the truth than it is to practice the truth. We must do both!