Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!rutgers!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: garyh@crash.cts.com (Gary Hipp) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Two kinds of faith Message-ID: Date: 1 Dec 90 05:43:48 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Crash TimeSharing, El Cajon, CA Lines: 58 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu In article ASC105@psuvm.psu.edu writes: >> Healing is one of the great many promises found in the bible. Isaiah 53:4-5, >and Galations 3:13 say that all born-again believers are redeemed from the >curse of physical illness (among other things). When believers act upon these > > The most effective way of obtaining healing is through the kind of faith >that Abraham had. He trusted in God's promise BEFORE he saw physical evidence >of it happening. The result reaches even to today's body of believers. >There's no need to question, "Is it the Lord's will to heal me?" The reason > Allen, the context of these verses have absolutely nothing to do with physical healing. In actuallity the Isaiah passage says just the opposite. The context is the crucifixion. Christ suffered physically, that is obvious. So, in the context of the crucifixion, IPet.2:21 states, "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps,." And IPet.4:1, "Therefore, since Christhas suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same purpose,..." Don't you think that the trials and tribulations of a Christian entail physical suffering? That they are there to bring about perseverance? Romans 8:18-23 speaks of the sufferings of the creation of which we are a part and it will not be until the revealing of the glory of the children of God; the redemption of our body, that we will be free of sickness and disease. Otherwise, physical death would not be able to take a Christian. It was because of sin that creation itself is enslaved to decay and ruin, and we along with it. And Heb.2:8 "...For in subjecting all things to him, He left nothing that is not subject to him. But now we do not yet see all things subjected to him. But we do see Him... ^^^ AND THAT IS THE PURPOSE OF OUR SUFFERING. Look at IICor.1:3-11. v.4 (speaking of God)... who comforts us in all our affliction... The verse does not say He heals us from our afflictions, but comforts us. And for a purpose, that we may comfort others. The sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, v.5, but so is the comfort. Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being rewarded day by day. For momentary, light affliction is producing for us and eternal weight of glory far beyong all comparison. IICor.4:16-17. It is my honest belief that more people have come to know the Lord, Christian and non-Christian alike,; through their suffering than being healed from their suffering. I will not deny miracles and believe God does heal, but it won't be until the next age that we will not see disease, decay, or ruin of our bodies including the most devout, faithful, obedient, spiritual Christians. Gary Hipp