Bible Questions and Answers

Salvation does not include a guarantee of physical healing in this life. The Holy Spirit gift of healing ceased with the death of the apostles. Physical healing comes with salvation at the resurrection of the dead when Christ returns to establish the kingdom of God.

Those who believe the gospel and are baptised into Christ are not protected from illness or disability in this life which are common to all men. The difference is that for those in Christ the suffering of physical infirmity constitutes one aspect of the trial of faith to be patiently endured. It is by adversity that a godly character is formed.

1 Peter 4:12,13,19 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy... 19  Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Job is set forth as an example of patience in suffering.

James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Job’s affliction was to demonstrate that genuine faith enables us to accept evil in this life as well as good.

Job 2:9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Paul was told that he must endure his infirmity:

2 Corinthians 12:9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

Physical infirmity does not separate us from the love of Christ.

Romans 8:35-39 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

In the resurrection those who have remained faithful will be made equal to the angels. They will be given the divine nature and have their bodies made like unto Christ’s glorious body.

Luke 20:35 But they which shall be accounted worthy to obtain that world, and the resurrection from the dead, neither marry, nor are given in marriage: 36 Neither can they die any more: for they are equal unto the angels; and are the children of God, being the children of the resurrection.

2 Peter 1:4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Philippians 3:21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

Physical healing in this life can only be temporary for we must all die. Spiritual healing – the remission of our sins - by belief and obedience to the gospel of Christ will give eternal life in the kingdom of God free from the infirmities of this mortal life.

Isaiah 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.

Revelation 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.

I hope you have found this helpful.

May God bless you,
Glenn