I appreciate John Pipers article about how we should allow our tests, trials and sufferings bring about the Kingdom. This is an excellent article written by Piper on the eve of his prostate surgery to remove cancer. We could easily take out the word *cancer* and insert the word suffering because these principals can certainly be applied to any suffering we are called to endure. The suffering of the cross is what brought about the will of God and when we endure our own *cross* we in a small way are hastening the coming of Christs kingdom. We cant have a resurrection without a death and burial.
For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us. Rom 8:18
Interesting article. I have a few questions and points to consider.
ReplyDelete#1 Is sickness from God? Sickness entered the world by sin, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God. They were told they would "surely die", and Paul, in Romans, reiterates "the wages of sin is death." So sickness is because of sin. Not necessarily a person's individual sin, but because of our cursed nature, which was because of sin.
#2 Jesus had a healing ministry and told us to "lay hands on the sick and they shall recover"? Should we interpret this as typological? But then the Apostles also laid hands on the sick and they were healed. Some were healed simply by the shadow of Peter, while he walked. What then? If the sickness is from God, why does he plague his own and then ask them for healing? If it is from God, why don't we accept it? Of course, Hezekiah didn't accept his death sentence either, and God gave him an extra 15 years of life.
#3 We have a mortal body that is subject to death. Why then do we pray against death? Death is our vehicle home. It's our firey chariot?
#4 God didn't say "lay hands on the sick and sometimes they will recover", he said "lay hands on the sick and they SHALL recover." How we do explain the inconsistencies? Some are healed, others die a miserable death. Even good righteous men, like Job, endure great suffering. (Which is another pondering that asks why God counseled with The Satan about one of his own)
#1You answered many of your own questions~ sickness may be a result of the *original sin*. Sickness is also so that God can receive glory. Lazarus's sickness was "not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified by it." The blind boy wasnt blind because of sin "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life."
ReplyDelete#2 Suffering comes that we may partake in His glory, or as Paul said that we may have fellowship in His sufferings. The kind of fellowship and glory that can only be perpetuated when we do indeed suffer with Christ.
http://gracefulthreads.blogspot.com/2008/12/suffering-servant.html
#3 Because we're carnal? Paul said to be absent in body is present with Christ....perhaps we are Absent from Christ and way too present in this body.:-) Eph5:29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
#4 How we do explain the inconsistencies?And these signs shall follow them that believe;....maybe we dont believe so the sign of healing doesnt follow? Perhaps recovery does indeed take place only not like we expect? God is God. We may think Him unfair when in fact the suffering we endure is the very agent He is using to save us.
http://gracefulthreads.blogspot.com/2008/12/suffering-servant.html
Thank you for youre replies.
ReplyDeleteOn the one hand, you do not support those who pray against death, on the other, you believe the writings of the New Testament with regard to healing.
Some preachers declare that sickness is from the Devil. (probably based on Job 2:7, Luke 8:2, Luke 13:11, Matt 12:22-28, Matt 10:1, Acts 10:37-28) And so they rebuke him the Devil and blame the "attack of sickness" on the Devil. This leads to the question, why do we appeal to the devil if all power is given, and in Christ Jesus? Yes, the scriptures give an example of rebuking Satan, but how does that make sense. Satan is there only with a title deed to set-up shop from God. Seems like we could eliminate any discourse with the Accuser and go straight to God.
Virtually ever Evangelical believer holds the idea that sickness is from the Devil (and by that, not in the true nature with regard to the fall of man in the Garden, but an offensive attack in our day).
It seems there is a fundamental disagreement between those who see sickness and tribulation from the Devil (the roaring lion seeking to devour), and others that see it as something that God sends to us.