The Word Of Faith?

 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. Hebrews 11:6 

  

  When I was a young man I started listening to “Word of Faith” preaching. I liked the confidence, boldness, and complete lack of doubt these preachers displayed. But as I was struck by illness and disease that refused to go away “by faith”, I started digging into scripture to see what it said about illness and disease. 

  

Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 1 Timothy 5:23 

  

 As you know, it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel to you, and even though my illness was a trial to you, you did not treat me with contempt or scorn. Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself. Galatians 4:13-14 

  

  Not only did Timothy, Paul’s helper, suffer from illnesses, he was essentially told to “take some medicine”, and not believe it away through faith. More than this, Paul himself, the great Apostle who God used to write so many New Testament Epistles, a great man of faith, also suffered from illness that was not prayed away. In other words, followers of Christ become ill and suffer just like everyone else. Faith has nothing to do with it. Christians are also among the poor. Christian virtue is neither measured by a good doctor’s report or full bank account. 

 

  We do pray for the sick, including ourselves. We also pray about our finances. Sometimes God works a miracle and we are quickly healed, and sometimes God uses doctors and medicine to heal us, and at other times we suffer with lifelong illnesses and disease. And it is often illness or disease that brings about our death at the end of our days here on earth. 

 

  Faith in God is of paramount importance, and that faith begins and ends with our trust in a Savior who will usher us into heaven when our days down here end. We do not place our Christian faith in faith, or in ourselves, or in perfect health or plenty of wealth. Our faith has an Object, a Person, and His Name is Jesus. 

 

  Prayer: Dear Lord, heal us and meet our financial needs. But know that even if we die ill and in poverty we will not lose or give up our faith in You! Amen.