There are three ways (that I would like to share) in which God has provided to fulfill His promise written in 2 Corinthians 1:20 (NIV), that says, “For no matter how many promises God has made, they are “Yes” in Christ. And so through him, the “Amen” is spoken by us to the glory of God.” If we are “in Christ” then these promises belong to us.
Obedience to the Principles of God; the Spiritual law of Sowing and Reaping
First, we can receive the blessings and promises of God through our obedience to the principles of the Word of God. These policies are established in the earth by God. They are His spiritual laws. Both the just and the unjust can tap into them. So often in Scripture, we see passages that reveal, “if you (meaning you & I) do this, then I (God) will do this…..” The book of Proverbs is full of them. For instance, Proverbs 21:5 (NIV) says, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty.” In other words, if I am diligent in planning for my finances I will profit but, if I act hastily then poverty is my portion. Proverbs 11:14 states, “Where there is no counsel, the people fall, but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.” The NIV translation says it this way which is pretty much self-explanatory, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but victory is won through many advisers.” The truth is, we may not be under the law anymore, but the principles are still activated in the earth. If we sow the principles of God into our lives, then we will reap the benefits. The law of sowing and reaping has not ceased since Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. Our separation from Him through disobedience to the law has (Hebrews 4:15-16; 10:19-23), but His principles have not. We will reap what we sow. Both good and bad. This law can apply to all the principles of God. If we judge, we will be judged (Matthew 7:12). Those who sow trouble will reap trouble back (Job 4:8; Prov 22:8). If we give, it will be given back to us. If we give generously, we will reap abundantly. If we sow sparingly, we will reap little (2 Cor 9:6). Remember the words of Galatians 6:7, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” Part of the reason many of us are sick physically is that we keep sowing junk food into our bodies. In the book of Daniel, in the first chapter, we learn that Daniel requested of the chief of the eunuchs to test his servants; he and Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, for ten days and let them eat only vegetables to eat and water to drink. Daniel did not want any of the king's wine or delicacies (fatty food). Daniel challenged that his appearance would be better than those who dine at the king's table. He would be more healthy. After ten days, Daniel was right. (See Daniel 1:8-15). It stands to reason that God’s life-giving foods eaten by bodies He created, would have substantial benefits and healing properties as opposed to creamy man-made chemically induced foods. “Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:8).
I think there has been much confusion in the body of Christ in regards to receiving the promises of God and law vs. faith. I have heard statements like, “we are no longer under the law, so it doesn’t apply to us. We are under grace, so we receive by faith.” Personally, I believe in both. I believe in the principles of God and the spiritual law of faith. In fact, I have received healing both ways. But for now, let's continue concentrating on the principles. Further down, we’ll dive into the law of faith.
Statements like, “we don’t need to lay hands on each other because God can do it without us” or, “there is no distance in the Spirit” might contain truth, but they are also one dimensional. God is multi-dimensional, and He has established many ways to receive healing, and I believe it is unique for each. For example, one principle revealed in Scripture says, “At sunset, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.” (Luke 4:40) Jesus modeled to us ways in which God’s principles were activated. Laying on of hands is one of them. Jesus said, “And these signs will follow those who believe; In My name….. they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” The principles to obey is--faith in His Word (to believe that this Word is true), and to lay our hands on the sick. Our job or responsibility is to sow; to simply obey the principles. It isn't our responsibility to try and manufacture results. We can't. We don't do the healing. The results or the reaping of the Word are His. Yet, many beat themselves up, feel condemned, go into self-pity or even despise this word because healing doesn't always happen. And rightly so. Precious people who have been praying for healing, don't get healed, and some insensitive individual tells them it is because they don't have enough faith. Or perhaps we are the ones laying our hands on the sick, and they don't recover. Friends, we don't do the healing. We sow. We obey. God does the reaping part. Also, we should never be that insensitive, and neither should we make assumptions as to why someone doesn't get healed. Our job is to be obedient to the principles in the Word of God, and trust in God for the results. It is His job to watch over His Word to perform it. Instead of getting stuck, I encourage you, keep praying, keep believing and keep practicing the principles of God.
Subsequently, confession of sins one to another, or with your counselor who is safe, is another spiritual law for healing. James 5:16 confirms, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” Anointing with oil is yet another principle to obey to reap healing. In the same above passage, vs. 14 says, “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.” In comparison, Mark 6:13 declares, “They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them.” Our words are also detrimental to our health. “There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, but the tongue of the wise promotes health” (Proverbs 12:18). If we keep repeating to ourselves how sick or tired we are, then “as a man thinks in his heart so is he.” Our words carry power. Either they will be life-giving or death-bearing. “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Therefore, are we sowing words of life over ourselves or are we speaking sickness over ourselves? What we sow, we will reap. Another scripture very similar reads, “Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles.”
A simple but very profound principle is found in asking. “We have not because we ask not.” Hezekiah was sick and near death. Scriptures reveal that Isaiah went to him and prophesied that he must get his house in order because he would soon die and not live. Hezekiah was distraught, so he sought the Lord, wept and prayed. The Lord heard, saw his tears and added fifteen years to Hezekiah’s life (Isaiah 38:1-5).
The Word of God also reveals that people have been given spiritual gifts. In the context of obedience to the principles of God, 1 Corinthians 12 is a Scripture passage that reveals and implies that the body of Christ can be ignorant concerning the spiritual gifts. Therefore, the principle to heed is to believe that the spiritual gifts are given and manifest through people; which means we need other human beings for healing to take place. But don't misunderstand. Healing comes from the Spirit of God who distributes to each one individually as HE WILLS (1 Cor 12:11). Vs. 8 reveals, “for to one the word of wisdom through the Spirit” operating through an individual may be given (in this context of healing a word of wisdom could be given as to how to be restored to health). Isaiah 38:21 is a great example of this, “Now Isaiah had said, “Let them take a lump of figs, and apply it as a poultice on the boil, and he shall recover.” Next, “To another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit” (vs. 8) but perhaps through someone else (a word could be given revealing the cause of illness). Then vs. nine talks about the gift of faith (in context to believe for healing), then gifts of healings. Notice that both ‘gifts’ and ‘healings’ are plural. Moreover, VS. 10 says, “to another the working of miracles” as a creative miracle and to another prophecy. God may use an individual to prophesy and prepare you that He is going to heal you or that your health is nothing to fear. Then to another discerning of spirits if the illness is demonic. There are other spiritual gifts, but they don’t necessarily apply to healing. However, let me make this clear, the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all. And this same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. Again, as stated before, our job is to simply obey. It is God's job to do the healing. I am a firm believer that the Spirit of God gives any one of us these gifts or these gifts can flow in a service, but I also believe that specific individuals flow in these gifts and have been called to healing ministries (vs. 4, 5 & 6).
So we mustn’t be ignorant of how God has chosen to heal. We can’t get stuck on one way of healing either. If we study Scripture, we will quickly learn that when Jesus healed, He often did it very different for each person. Thus, we too need to rest in His Presence and ask Him, “Lord, what do you say about my healing?” Then have healing Scriptures in front of you. Meditate on them. Listen to His voice. Then obey.
2. Belief in who God is and what He Has already Done; the Spiritual law of Faith
I won't lie. This is a tough one. The Bible says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith in God is rewarded. When we place our belief for healing in an all-powerful miracle working God, even though everything around us screams otherwise, He is pleased. “But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). All throughout Scripture we see people receive their healing by faith. The story of the Centurion and his servant is an excellent example. When Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion sought Him out and pleaded with Jesus on behalf of his servant who was lain at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented. Jesus told the centurion that He would go and heal him. But the centurion responded, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak the word, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus marveled at his response, and because of his faith in Jesus authority, as he believed, it was done! (See Matthew 8:5-13) By faith, two blind men were healed (Matthew 9:27-30), the Canaanite woman’s daughter was delivered of demon possession (Matthew 15:22-28), and the woman with an issue of blood touched His garment and was immediately made whole (Mark 5:25-34). This is just a small handful of faith stories. Faith in a God who says He is who He says He is and He can do what He says He can do! But what if my faith is small? Or I have none at all? Don't get discouraged. The Bible says we can grow in our faith.
Faith begins as a seed. The seed is the Word of God (See Luke 8:11). We all can grow in this area. The Word needs to be planted in the heart, either through hearing the Word, because “faith comes by hearing, hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17) or through meditating on it. Even if we have faith (and we all do), even as small as a mustard seed, Jesus said we could move mountains. Yet, there are levels of faith. We can be in unbelief yet; we can pray that God helps us to believe. Isn't that encouraging? Even when we don't believe, in the kindness of our God, we can ask Him to help us in our unbelief. We can be weak in faith (Romans 4:19, 14:1), be strengthened in faith (Romans 4:20), have a measure of faith (Romans 12:3), and be increased in faith (2 Cor 10:15). We can grow in faith (2 Thess 1:3) or have the gift of faith (1 Cor 12:9).
Faith in God begins with getting yourself familiar with His Word and putting it in your heart. Our minds need to be renewed to the truth of God's Word. I exhort you. Begin to study who Jesus is because His name is what He does. Doubt comes easily unless the Spirit of God solidifies His word in our hearts and enlightens us to see His truth. Study diligently to know His promises; especially in the area of healing. Read them over and over again. Invite Holy Spirit and ask Him to enlighten you and to empower your faith in God and the promises. Better yet, ask God what His will is for your specific problem. When God speaks, the seed is planted! And remember, leave the results up to God.
3. God’s Supernatural Divine Intervention; His mercy, grace & Sovereignty
Sometimes God heals without us applying any of the principles, or without activating any faith at all. There are times when God restores as a Sovereign act of His kindness or because it is His perfect will for a person’s life. I have heard of stories where people were in car accidents, unconscious and in a vegetable state, where friends and family prayed, but admittedly in doubt, yet God raised them up and healed them. Others have shared how they had no faith at all, and yet, they were healed.
Though we may never fully understand why some people are healed, and some are not, I choose to continue applying the Word of God UNTIL; until His word manifests, or until He tells me otherwise and brings me to a place of acceptance.
I hope this has encouraged you to see the many ways God heals, and the very heart of God.