As we begin this issue of the Epistle with its healing theme, I offer these preliminary thoughts from the perspective of a Christian pastor and theologian. This is what we know about human beings: we are frail, finite, and temporary creatures. We were not created to be immortal in our current form. We are all capable of pain and pleasure, worry and joy—everyone’s life is a mixture. We all ride the roller coaster of human happiness and sorrow, but each person’s ride is different. Sin is an unavoidable reality in a fallen world. We are impacted by our own sinful choices (and their consequences), as well as by the actions of other sinful people around us. There are also seemingly accidental and natural occurrences that can affect us.
We all long for pleasure rather than pain, happiness rather than sorrow. Thus, we understandably desire to be healed. But Christians know that healing from any kind of hurt on this earth is only temporary and transient. We also know that some healing is more complete than others. Permanent healing in any form will only come in heaven—in that place or experience beyond our earthly lifetime. The Bible tells us there will be no pain, sorrow, or tears ever again. Until then, perfect health and happiness are impossible to attain.
The role of personal faith in healing and of intercessory prayer by others will always be a mystery. We can find clues, but while on earth we are unable to see everything from God’s all-knowing perspective. The Bible teaches us to pray for our healing and the healing of others, and although we do so in obedience, we can never know the outcome of our prayers in advance. Some physical healing occurs through the direct intervention and agency of human medicine, utilizing the elements God has placed in creation and the intelligence He has given our race to discover its natural laws. But sometimes healing comes apart from medicine.
There are numerous examples in Scripture of miraculous divine healing (most attributed to Jesus or the first generation of His apostles). An all-powerful God can intervene in the world any time and any way He chooses. But those who confidently teach that all Christians have the power to “claim” a healing or another miracle are on questionable ground—both scripturally and by the repeated experience of people who expected a certain answer to prayer and did not receive it.
People who are called and skilled to serve as medical (doctors, nurses) or mental health (counselors, therapists, pastors) professionals have a holy task to perform, and sometimes are blessed to witness and facilitate healing in one or more dimensions of a person’s life. Even unbelievers who serve in those ways are regularly confronted with the mysteries of life and death, the limits of science, and the inability of mankind to always control the world.
When God grants (through human aid or apart from it) a measure of healing—body, mind, or soul—the appropriate response is gratitude. We don’t deserve and can never earn God’s kindness. When He favors us, we owe Him praise. As the author of Psalm 107 said about all who are granted deliverance or healing, “Let them give thanks to the LORD for His unfailing love, and His wonderful deeds to mankind.”
My final thought to share with you is in response to this natural question. Why, if God loves us, does He not always heal us from every pain?
The answer is simple. If He did, we would never experience heaven—for which our souls were ultimately created. Because every earthly healing is only partial or temporary, our deepest longing should always remain for our true eternal home.
by Pastor Doug Pratt
