The Remedy not Withheld

 

DEVOTION

THE 1^ST LETTER TO THE CORINTHIANS

THE REMEDY NOT WITHHELD

 

1 Cor 12:27-31

27 Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. 28 And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? 30 Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 31 But eagerly desire the greater gifts.

And now I will show you the most excellent way.

NIV

Once again we have already looked at the gift of healing, but it does deserve another look. We looked at the word gift, Charisma, and spent time considering this is something we do not earn, or cannot be righteous or holy enough. However, we did not focus on this Greek word translated as healing. This Greek word, iamatoon, is used as a means of healing, a remedy, medicine, a cure. This fits perfectly in describing what happens when the Spirit manifests His gift of healing. We know that Jesus healed people, and we also know that although he was in the flesh, he was still God, and is still God. This is what some would call the mysterium, the triune God, The Father is God, Jesus is God and the Spirit is God, but the Father is not the Son or the Spirit and the Son is not the Father or the Spirit and the Spirit is not the Father or the Son, but all three are God. So then it is God who is doing the healing and we know he has all the power above all other powers. Therefore, we see no reason why we should not have this remedy or this cure for our illness or infirmities. Jesus healed all who came to him, he did not turn anyone away. He did not first question or judge to see if they were worthy of healing. He did not tell them their sin was too great to be healed, instead, he forgave their sin. However, there was one thing needed and that was their faith in Him to be healed. We think of the woman with the issue of blood for twelve years spending all she had, every last penny on doctors and received no remedy, no cure, but as soon as she touched the hem of his garment, healing occurred, and Jesus felt the power go out of him. He felt the power go out of him. That is the power of God at work healing people, and the Spirit is here, willing to let that power flow through one of us onto, into someone who needs a remedy, a cure. Maybe even someone who has been infected with an ailment for years and spent much money and time on doctors without being cured. It comes down to faith, to believing, God can heal, that he will heal, that his power will be manifested. We might go through the motions of seeking healing, even going forward to be anointed, but do we really believe, or do we have this shred of doubt, or are we just hoping, wishing, but not really believing. That is the question because we know the Spirit does not withhold his gifts. Jesus never withheld healing, nor does the Spirit withhold the remedy.