The Consequences of Sin
God created our world perfect and without sickness. Sin, sickness and death entered this world as a result of disobedience to the Creator (Genesis 3). Man is responsible for his choices. It is not fair to blame God for the condition we are in.
But God in His infinite mercy planned to save mankind from eternal death. He offered His Son Jesus Christ to die so that we can have eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Christ the innocent died so we can be restored again to the state of perfection we once had. “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).
The Bible says about Jesus “with his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). No sick person came to Jesus and was turned away for “great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all” (Matthew 12:15; 8:16; Luke 6:19). The prophet David affirms, “Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name…who healeth all thy diseases” (Psalm 103:1, 3). Healing is God’s will.
Why Does God Allow Sickness?
Some sickness is the direct result of the natural course of sin in this world. In other instances, sickness is a violation of God’s health laws. The sick member cannot expect God’s blessing apart from a sincere purpose to abandon practices which may have caused his illness, and henceforth to live in harmony with both God’s moral and health laws. Other sickness may be the result of a demonic attack (Matthew 17:14-18; Luke 13:10-16), which also can be healed by God through prayer and fasting (Matthew 17:21). And sometimes sickness can be a means of God’s loving discipline to “produce a harvest of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:5-11).
In any case, the sick need to always come to the Lord for help. Jesus has deep compassion on those that are suffering with sickness. He spent most of His public ministry on earth healing the sick. And the Bible confirms that “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever” (Hebrews 13:8). So, it is still His will today to heal the sick and make people whole.
Hope for the Sick
Let all that are afflicted with sickness claim His promises for healing. And if there is sin in their life, they need to ask for His grace to be cleansed from all unrighteousness. Jesus is faithful to fulfill His promise that says, “Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him” (James 5:14, 15).
Healing requests should imply that the sick person is willing to cooperate with God. The sick person cannot expect God’s healing apart from honest intention to give up practices which may, in part, have led to his illness. He should plan to live in harmony with God’s laws of health.
Prayers are to be made in line with God’s will, for no one knows what is best for another (Romans 8:26). Some of the very important lessons in life are learned through painful experiences (Hebrews 2:10). Accordingly, prayer for the sick should be lifted in faith and submission, with calm trust in a wise heavenly Father who knows what is best and who would not do anything that would harm His children. Therefore, every prayer should include the submissive words, “Thy will be done” (Matthew 6:10).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
