I've been able to sit in on a couple of meetings with a Christian friend and a Jehovah's Witness a couple of times now and the topic we discussed today was healing.
I believe God can and does heal others today: physically, mentally and spiritually and often we don't get the healing we expected. Interestingly, the Jehovah's Witness we spoke to (and I presume this is the same for all) believes that Jesus had the power to heal and perform miracles and He gave this ability to His direct followers to spread the gospel and build the early church; but they don't believe we can heal today. They also think the gifts that Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians: prophecy, speaking in tongues etc are irrelevant and unnecessary today.
I found this quite challenging because being quite egocentric I had just assumed that we Christians are considered Jesus' followers, just like his disciples! I still believe this but was definitely challenged by a few verses which show Jesus warning against false prophets/followers who would be able to heal in Jesus' name:
Matthew 7: 21-23:
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of Heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in Heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophecy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers.'"
How can we tell that those who heal in Jesus' name are authentic Christians?
I suppose the crunch comes when they die - they will tell Jesus they did these miraculous healings in His name and He will say He never knew them. I suppose there will be many who use Jesus' name but have no real knowledge of Him and no relationship; that use His name for evil purposes.I think, when we heal in Jesus' name we need to ensure we are doing it with correct motives and with real knowledge of the one who brings true healing.
I think the verse of him not knowing them when they came to Him, should be carefully thought about.
ReplyDeleteWe, as Christians, should try to be more like Jesus. Not once did Jesus say look at me Lord I am doing magnificant works, Nor did he expect reward from God for doing such rewards. And the bottom line is true with us. If we stand in front of Him and say Lord look at all the tremendous things I have done in your name, then i truely believe He will say I never knew you, people who do works for the rewards of works were not the centered love that they possibly thought they would be, as they have incorrect motives.
As for healing, well I believe He can heal us, I believe He can use others to act like an antenae and heal us. I believe that if he wants to use me in such a way then He will. Should I then shout that I healed one person, no, I think you should be humble and allow the works to speak for themselves, if our works are questioned then we awknowledge it.
But its so hard not to do that! I find it a real challenge to keep to myself the good things I do and when I do keep them to myself I always think of Jesus saying: "Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you." I can just see myself being one of those people :(
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