Translate

Friday, April 3, 2020

True Repentance (part six)


6.      From having faith in the wisdom of men, to having faith in the power of God
The apostle Paul wrote to the Corinthians saying; “And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:4-5).
Most people unfortunately, want to equate the wisdom of men especially in the field of medical science with God. But regardless of how many brilliant things man’s wisdom is able to accomplished, and nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them: Nevertheless, the ultimate result is always death, and God is not associated with them, because the Lord does not share His glory with no other.
For thus says the Lord, “I am the Lord, that is My name; and My glory I will not give to another, nor My praise to carved images:”… “For My own sake, for My own sake, I will do it; For how should My name be profaned? And I will not give My glory to another” (Isaiah 42:8, 48:11). 
One of the most critical and difficult areas of conversion is learning to place our faith in the power of God instead of placing faith in the wisdom of men through the process of healing. Healing, which is the restoration of health comes as a result of God`s power through intercession, repentance, prayer, faith and God`s word.
From the inception we see where Abraham prayed to God on behalf of Abimelech, his wife, and his female servants for not being able to have children and God healed them, then they bore children (Genesis 20:17).
One should note however, that it is conditional, for thus says the Lord; “If you diligently heed the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians: For I am the LORD who heals you" (Exodus 15:26).
Jesus Christ demonstrated and exercised His authority to heal, because He went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them(Matthew 4:23-24).
There were many other instances when for example a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, "Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." And Jesus said to him, "I will come and heal him" (Matthew 8:6-7).
And, when evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses" (Matthew 8:16-17).
This was fulfilled on the cross which now gives us the confidence to say; “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's” (Psalms 103:2-5).
Jesus Christ also gave the gift of healing to His faithful servants, for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:8-11).
And to this end we have been instructed saying; “Is anyone among you sick? 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 will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much” (James 5: 14-16).
But the huge question is how many of us truly believe the word! And how many are willing to have our faith in the power of God, instead of having our faith in wisdom of men, with all their vaccinations and medications?
Stay tuned
With brotherly love
Lucius Joseph


No comments: