Healing

Healing

“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose wounds you were healed.”

This phrase, “by whose wounds you were healed,” is used extensively by religious people, especially among those who seek healing for the body. Those who are particularly occupied with praying for the sick teach them to repeat this phrase over and over again in order to build up their faith in healing. They make the mistake that people usually make; they put the body before the soul and spirit. Thereby, they also put earthly things first—things that the body can enjoy—and so God’s kingdom and His righteousness become a matter of secondary importance. This is the deception of mankind that leads to all misery. “For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.” V. 25.

The Bible puts the spirit first, followed by the soul and the body. 1 Thess. 5:23. Jesus came as the light of the world. He ignited the true light which is: “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” Matt. 6:33. Those who walk in that light put the spirit first; then they experience true healing. Sickness and death came into the world through sin. Our primary goal has to be healing for spirit and soul, which is also what the gospel emphasizes. Therefore this word that we are healed by His wounds is written in connection with dying to our sins and living for righteousness. Several translations speak of “The Healing Doctrine,” or “The Sound Doctrine.” “For the healing doctrine that brings salvation has appeared to all men . . . .” Tit. 2:1, 11. James writes, “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.” Jas. 5:16.

Here James is thinking of physical healing, but the condition for it is spiritual healing by first confessing your sins. It is a great deception to use your physical illnesses as an excuse for sinning. If you do that, you also say that you are not accountable. There may be sicknesses that affect the head as a result of an accident, and consequently, one is not accountable, but then such a person cannot confess his sins either.

If you want to be considered a responsible person, you can also receive the gospel and confess your sins. Then your spirit will be healed, and your body can also be healed. Jesus said, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” John 5:14.

The message of the gospel is that we can be healed in spirit, soul, and body through Jesus’ finished work. Many people have been healed, but they have continued to sin, and so they have soon fallen sick again. There can be true healing only if we put the spirit, God’s kingdom, and His righteousness first.

“Servants, be submissive to your masters with all fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the harsh.” 1 Pet. 2:18.

It is more difficult to be submissive to a harsh master, but why is that? Their conduct exerts more pressure on us, and if I have bad nerves, this pressure increases. By means of this pressure, sin in the flesh rises up and comes into contact with my mind, so that I get angry and become offended, or it can even result in hatred. Then I have become sick. My spirit and soul have come into darkness. Is it the employer’s sin that has done that? This is how people blame the others, and so they do not experience any healing. However, Peter speaks about dying to our sins. Through this pressure I am tempted, thus getting an opportunity to die to my sins. This is the sound, healing doctrine. We are happy and glad if we understand this and accept this healing grace to die to sin. Then we are healed. Therefore Paul gloried in his tribulations because they produced patience—even a far more exceeding weight of glory. Rom. 5:3; 2 Cor. 4:17.

Paul calls dying to our sins “the dying of the Lord Jesus,” which we carry about in the body, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Cor. 4:10-11. By His wounds we are healed. In Him sin in the flesh never came into contact with His mind. Rom. 8:3-4. Not at all! It was condemned. He could give the Holy Spirit to those who obey Him because this work was finished in Him. Acts 5:32. And “if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.” Rom. 8:13. This results in healing and life.

Reading further in Peter’s letter, it says at the end: “But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.” 1 Pet. 5:10. This is a glorious result of the times in which we are living—a world that is under the sway of the wicked one. 1 John 5:18-19.