KevinPolyaNazaroff 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2010 Is physical sickness a lack of faith? If I am sick, is that a lack of faith? Can I use my health to gauge my status with God? These are questions that I am searching for answers to. I have an opinion, but I want to continue to search this out and either refine what I believe, or be corrected by the scriptures. thanks Kevin Nazaroff Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KevinPolyaNazaroff 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2010 This is kind of what I am talking about... "I am fully convinced - I would die saying it is so - that it is the plan of Our Father God, in His great love and in His great mercy, that no believer should ever be sick; that every believer should live his full life span down here on this earth; and that every believer should finally just fall asleep in Jesus" (Kenneth E. Hagin, Seven Things You Should Know about Divine Healing, p. 21). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seeking_truth_1 0 Report post Posted January 18, 2010 Take a look at Job and his afflictions What did God say about him? Study Paul's life, imprisonment and ultimate execution Is it because of his lack of faith he was placed in those circumstances? Paul would not agree 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NKJV) 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 11:6-10 NKJV) Sometimes afflictions aren't about you but preparing you to be a more effective witness 3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (2 Corinthians 2:3-6 NKJV) How can you speak from personal knowledge (Strong's #1097: ginosko - pronounced ghin-oce'-ko known by personal experience) of Gods provision to the hungry man if you have never been hungry? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wall 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2010 Job went through his afflictions because of his strengths, not his weakness. Take a look at Job and his afflictions What did God say about him? Study Paul's life, imprisonment and ultimate execution Is it because of his lack of faith he was placed in those circumstances? Paul would not agree 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, 18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:17-18 NKJV) 6 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 11:6-10 NKJV) Sometimes afflictions aren't about you but preparing you to be a more effective witness 3 ¶ Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ. 6 Now if we are afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effective for enduring the same sufferings which we also suffer. Or if we are comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. (2 Corinthians 2:3-6 NKJV) How can you speak from personal knowledge (Strong's #1097: ginosko - pronounced ghin-oce'-ko known by personal experience) of Gods provision to the hungry man if you have never been hungry? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
knitwit 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2010 If we are to believe that illness stems from a lack of faith, then how do we explain illness in children? My child was born with a tumor in her spinal column that went for almost a year before diagnosis. By then the tumor was doing serious damage to her spinal cord. She should have never walked. She had surgery over 18 years ago, and has no paralysis. Every time I look at her, I thank the Lord. I prefer to believe that her illness happened so that we could witness the glory of God and His mighty power. My daughter gave me permission to post this. Kniwit's mother Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GoodDay 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2010 (edited) Many will say that people are sick of afflicted or bad things happen because of lack of faith or weak faith or that they sinned etc.. The simple truth is we really never know. In hindsight although we can come to an understanding. Here is one example from the Gospel of John; John 9 1As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. 2His 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 work of God might be displayed in his life. 4As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. 5While I am in the world, I am the light of the world." Edited January 19, 2010 by GoodDay Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
seeking_truth_1 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2010 God can allow affliction for a myriad of reasons one of which is to correct as well as to refine and mature His children The notion we are afflicted because we lack faith runs contrary to that fact How can anyone say, from a Biblical standpoint, everyone including Jesus lacked the necessary faith to avoid tribulation & death? I cannot find that in Scripture Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wall 0 Report post Posted January 19, 2010 If we are to believe that illness stems from a lack of faith, then how do we explain illness in children? My child was born with a tumor in her spinal column that went for almost a year before diagnosis. By then the tumor was doing serious damage to her spinal cord. She should have never walked. She had surgery over 18 years ago, and has no paralysis. Every time I look at her, I thank the Lord. I prefer to believe that her illness happened so that we could witness the glory of God and His mighty power. My daughter gave me permission to post this. Kniwit's mother Praise God, thank you for sharing. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites