WHY SICKNESS? (1)
(Message by Tanny Keng)
0. Introduction
a) In order for us to pursue health and long life so that we can fulfill all of God's purpose in our lives, we need to find out what are the main causes of diseases and ill health. It will also help us to solve the mystery of "Why Christians are just as sick as pre-believers?" or "Why spiritual Christians are just as sick as Christians that are not so spiritual?" Not knowing the real causes of diseases had caused Christians to follow a wrong route in battling sickness rather than following God's appointed way to ultimate health.
1. Sickness for the Glory of God
a) John 9:1-3 tells us of a man who was blind from birth. The disciples asked Jesus, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” and Jesus answered,"Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." It was very clear from Jesus' reply that the cause of the man's blindness was for God to show Christ's glory in healing him.
i) 1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." (John 9:1-3 NIV)
b) In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 Paul seemed to be suffering from a certain physical affliction which he called "thorn in my flesh". Paul had prayed 3 times for God 's healing, but the Lord encouraged him with these words "... my grace i sufficient for you." God did not heal Paul from his sickness because the Lord allowed this physical suffering to cause Paul to be totally dependent upon him and therefore avoid the destructive dangers of pride.
i) 7 ... because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9 NIV)
c) Another occasion where God allowed sickness to fulfill his divine purpose is seen in the life of Job. He experienced the lost of all his children, all his wealth and also his health. God had allowed Satan to attack Job, so as to prove the genuineness of Job's faith and trust in God. Through his trials and sickness, the Scripture said, "22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing" (Job 1:22 NIV). Job expressed his faith and trust in God as he said, "25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God." (Job 19:25-26 NIV)
d) For the above occasions of sickness all the praying will probably not bring any healing. Only God's purpose for that sickness is accomplished then the healing will come, only in God's timing.
The End ...
0. Introduction a) In order for us to pursue health and long life so that we can fulfill all of God's purpose in our lives, we need to find out what are the main causes of diseases and ill health. It will also help us to solve the mystery of "Why Christians are just as sick as pre-believers?" or "Why spiritual Christians are just as sick as Christians that are not so spiritual?" Not knowing the real causes of diseases had caused Christians to follow a wrong route in battling sickness rather than following God's appointed way to ultimate health.
1. Sickness for the Glory of God
a) John 9:1-3 tells us of a man who was blind from birth. The disciples asked Jesus, "Who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” and Jesus answered,"Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." It was very clear from Jesus' reply that the cause of the man's blindness was for God to show Christ's glory in healing him.
i) 1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2 His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” 3 “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him." (John 9:1-3 NIV)
b) In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9 Paul seemed to be suffering from a certain physical affliction which he called "thorn in my flesh". Paul had prayed 3 times for God 's healing, but the Lord encouraged him with these words "... my grace i sufficient for you." God did not heal Paul from his sickness because the Lord allowed this physical suffering to cause Paul to be totally dependent upon him and therefore avoid the destructive dangers of pride.
i) 7 ... because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:7-9 NIV)
c) Another occasion where God allowed sickness to fulfill his divine purpose is seen in the life of Job. He experienced the lost of all his children, all his wealth and also his health. God had allowed Satan to attack Job, so as to prove the genuineness of Job's faith and trust in God. Through his trials and sickness, the Scripture said, "22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing" (Job 1:22 NIV). Job expressed his faith and trust in God as he said, "25 I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God." (Job 19:25-26 NIV)
d) For the above occasions of sickness all the praying will probably not bring any healing. Only God's purpose for that sickness is accomplished then the healing will come, only in God's timing.
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