The phrase “with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5) is often used to claim that all Christians should experience earthly physical healing.
The context of this verse is usually sin and redemption (Isaiah 53; 1 Peter 2:24). But Matthew 8:16-17 does link it to demon-possession and physical sickness.(1)
And it's true: our redemption - body, soul, and spirit - is fully accomplished in the spiritual realm.
But our redemption is not fully realized here on earth (1 Corinthians 15:22-25; Hebrews 2:5-9).
By Christ's stripes, sin, Satan, trouble, death, and sickness were defeated when Christ said, "It is finished" (John 19:30).
Yet, sin, Satan, trouble, death, and sickness still exist here on earth (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). No matter how much faith we have, they exist (John 16:33).
We are in the process of renewal in Christ and sometimes God's plan includes supernatural healing here on earth,(2) but perfect spiritual, emotional, and physical health will not be available until eternity when we're completely transformed (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2).(3)
Our faith is built on that unseen reality (Hebrews 11:1).
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(2) There are many reasons for sickness and for healing. Sometimes sickness is related to sin or unbelief, but not always. Sometimes healing is credited to faith or repentance, but not always. If we create formulas for healing that blame the sick person, we are no different than Job's friends whom God rebuked. Just as we are saved, are being saved, and will be saved - we are healed, are being healed, and will be healed.
(3) See also 1 Corinthians 15:20-28 which explains that Christ's mission won't be complete until His second coming and Hebrews 2:5-9 which explains that not all things are subject to Christ-followers here on earth.
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Thanks
ReplyDeleteYour 1 minute bible notes have given me a better understanding of God's word. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteYou dont know the bible well enough, I am going to claim my healing with this scripture, not sure what bible you are reading from.
ReplyDeleteDear Challenging Lies,
DeleteWhat Bible are you reading from?
Does the Bible you are reading contain 1 Timothy 5:23 where Paul says to Timothy, "Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses."
Does the Bible you are reading reveal that both Paul and Timothy were men of faith with enormous knowledge of Scripture?
Or Does your Bible teach that people who are not healed lack faith and Bible knowledge?
What does your Bible say about people like Corrie Ten Boom, a woman of enormous faith who suffered a debilitating health problem the last 4 years of her life? What does your Bible say about the incredible faith of Joni who has suffered with quadriplegia for over 40 years and twice suffered with cancer despite her incredible ministry?
Does your Bible teach that God looks at these faithful servants and refuses to heal them because they didn't say the right words or don't have the same doctrine you have about healing?
If you believe that by His stripes we are healed here and now fully and completely on earth, then you better be consistent and believe that Satan is defeated here and now fully and completely and no Christian will ever have to deal with him. And you better believe that no Christian will die an earthly death because Hebrews 2:14 says that Christ’s death broke "the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil."
Jesus has completely defeated sin, sickness, Satan, and death in the legal sense. But we will not fully experience this victory here on earth. My Bible clearly says that:
2 Cor. 4:16-18: Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Hebrews 2:6-8: “What is mankind that you are mindful of them, a son of man that you care for him? 7 You made them a little lower than the angels; you crowned them with glory and honor 8 and put everything under their feet.” In putting everything under them, God left nothing that is not subject to them. Yet at present we do not see everything subject to them.
We will deal with sickness at times, just like faithful Timothy.
We will deal with attacks from Satan, just like faithful Paul (2 Corinthians 12:7-10).
And we will die here on earth unless Jesus returns before our death.
My Bible teaches the full truth, not bits and pieces thrown together to produce errors.
And my Bible also contains a story where a group of men rebuked a sick man claiming he was sick because He had sinned and lacked faith, just as word of faith people teach. And God strongly rebuked these men saying ““you have not spoken the truth about me.” Job 42:7.
Well, true, it doesnt necesserily speak about physical healing. But, we can still declare healing over our lives and families through Faith.
DeleteHi Unknown,
DeleteWe can pray for healing, and if it is God's will, He will heal.
But our declaration doesn't heal, nor does our faith heal. God heals.
Many a saint, to include Timothy in Scripture, suffered from illness not healed here on earth. Scripture says Christ overcame sickness, Satan, death, and sin through His atoning death. If we are going to claim that the promise for healing is earthly, then we must be consistent and claim that Satan never bothers genuine Christians, no Genuine Christian will suffer earthly death, and no genuine Christian will sin.
But people who teach that faith heals simply pull healing out of the list. That's not honest. If these promises are earthly, then all of them are earthly.
And that's the point. They are not earthly promises. God can and does heal, but He makes no promises to do so.
Well said Gail
DeleteYou are the one who does not know your Bible well enough. You can't claim anything from God the Father, Son, or Holy Spirit. The writer was right when he said: "The context of this verse is usually with regard to sin and redemption". You have to know the background and context to what is said in the Bible. You cannot cherry pick your favourite verse, and then apply it to anything you like.
DeleteThen what was the point of dying on the cross, he says Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. For it is written: “Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.” Galatians 3:13,
ReplyDelete“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.” Exodus 15:26.
There will always be healing by stripes made available for us, in this life and for eternity, Jesus died for our sins here on the earth, and he died so we could have life and have it more abundantly John 10:10. We both have different bibles, you live a defeated, powerless and not victorious life, if you want, and just wait for heaven, but I know that Jesus paid it all for me on the cross, and I am not going to waste my time going back and forth with you, on this topic, JESUS SAID IT'S FINISHED, that means past, present and future. Hope you find truth from the true scriptures, I would never ever recommend your site anyone, because you clearly DON'T THE FULL SCRIPTURE. This explains to me why born again believers, live life not in victory, and do not see answers to there prayers, Jesus did a complete work on the cross, when he died, for all not just waiting to get to eternity. Its sad you think like that. I pray the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints.
Dear Challenging Lies,
DeleteIt's interesting that you are able to judge the lives of people you don't know and do it so ungraciously. Yes, we read a different Bible, and our differences aren't simply about healing.
Dear Challenging Lies, are you not ageing? What does 1 Corinthians 5:1-5 mean to you?
DeleteTo Challenging lies. Do you NEVER get sick??
DeleteI meant 2 Corinthians 5:1-5
ReplyDeleteGood point, JV.
Delete2 Cor. 5:1-5: For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent, we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life. Now the one who has fashioned us for this very purpose is God, who has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.
Many many sincere believers have been injured buying into the teachings of the Word of Faith. I know, I was one of them. I am so thankful for such a great deliverance wrought by the Holy Spirit in my life.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is true that people get sick and die, it is also true that Jesus came to heal the sick. Jesus Himself was crucified and died, and all of those whom He healed eventually died...take Lazarus for example, whom He raised from the dead. But did all of that stop Jesus from healing people? No. Even today, He still heals.
ReplyDeleteFaith is a huge proponent of people receiving their healing. Many times Jesus said to people after healing them, "Your faith has made you whole..."
I believe that you have taken the Word way out of context. God knew people will eventually die, whether from natural cause or from sickness and disease, but He chose to heal anyway.
King David said that he believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Despite dying, which he did, he expected to see God's goodness in the land of the living. And he did.
Abraham, he was the leader of faith and believing. This pleases God. So, it is not wise to condemn someone for their faith and for believing God for their healing.
Everyone will eventually die. Yes. But in the meantime, God allows us that freedom to choose whether to believe or not to believe, whether to have faith or not to have faith. Personally, I would rather be thought a fool for the sake of Christ and to trust and believe His every word, and seek Him and His will for myself, than to allow someone to dictate to me what they believe. Just like me...they could be wrong...
Seek God for yourself people. Pray and learn to wait before Him for His will for you. Sometimes God will send people. But don't just blindly believe what anyone says, especially if there is a giant elephant in the room that gives you pause.
Hi Carol,
Delete1 Timothy 5:23: “Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”
Timothy, Paul’s spiritual “son” suffered frequently from illness and Paul told him to take a little wine to help. Timothy is greatly praised as a man of faith and Paul suffered a great deal for his faith. But this verse does not link faith to healing. It contradicts that belief.
George Mueller (1805-1898) had such great faith that he never asked for a penny but he cared for thousands of orphans trusting God to meet all of their needs. But Mueller suffered with illness throughout his life. So how do you account for this? Did God withhold healing because Mueller didn’t have the “right” belief about healing?
Joni is unable to walk and has twice suffered from cancer but she has been an example of great faith and has helped millions through her example and ministry.
Basically, what you’ve shared in your comment means that every Christian who is healed has more faith and understanding of God than the Apostle Paul, Timothy, George Mueller, and Joni.
There is a group of people in Scripture who believed that a man’s health was tied directly to his faith. They are Job’s friends. And God strongly rebuked them for this belief.
Jesus can heal, feed thousands with a few fish, raise the dead, walk on water, and do anything He wants. But He doesn’t promise health, wealth, or easy life here on earth. He decides what is best for us and for His kingdom.
I hope you would consider these things and read the Scriptures linked in the devotion. Your belief not only is an error, it increased the suffering of sick people who are told they could be well if they only had faith.
Kindly tell me what Bible are you reading please?
ReplyDeleteWe are using the Christian Bible for our devotions.
DeleteIf you are asking about translations, we used several good translations in our devotions.
Every one of you should be putting your questions before God and open your spiritual ears for your answers. Not all things will be revealed in our lifetime, we are to stand on the God's faith. We as mortals do not have the answers. Read the Bible pray and trust in the Holy Trinity. All will be answered when we join them in heaven.
ReplyDelete