Friday, 18 March 2022
SICKNESS ISN’T NORMAL
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth (3 John 1:2).
Sometimes there’re Christians and even some ministers of the Gospel who are working hard for the Lord but at the same time struggling with some ailments, some kind of pain or sickness in their bodies. Some say it’s “normal” to get sick, citing the Prophet Elisha who died sick (2 Kings 13:14).
They also reference Epaphroditus that worked with Paul who, in his fervor to serve the Lord, became seriously ill and almost died (Philippians 2:30). Thus, to many, sickness is normal. But no, it’s not! First, the Bible never told us to model or pattern our lives after Elisha or Epaphroditus! Jesus is our example — the One we’re to emulate — and the Bible says as He is, so are we in this world (1 John 4:17). He was never sick and couldn’t be. He gave us the power to heal sicknesses and cure diseases.
Paul, in 1 Corinthians 11:1 said, “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.” There’s no record that Paul or the apostles were ever sick. Rather, they healed the sick. Read about Paul and Peter in the Book of Acts: Acts 19:11-12 & Acts 5:15-16.
Follow God’s Word. Model your life after the Word, after Christ, and learn from His great Apostles of faith. They were masters over the elements of this world. They spoke to all manner of sicknesses, diseases, and infirmities; they cast out devils who inflicted these pains on the people. That’s the life we have in Christ.
Refuse to be sick. Stick to the Word of faith that stirs you up in the things of God and in the way of the Spirit. Meditate on the truths of God’s Word. Romans 8:11 says, “But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” This has already happened now that Christ lives in you. Therefore, arm yourself with this insight and dominate sickness and disease. Rule over the depravities and negativities of this world and their corrupting influences. Hallelujah!
CONFESSION: The truth of God is revealed in my spirit and I’m walking accordingly. The Spirit of Him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in me, and He has vitalized me through and through! He’s the life and health of my physical body, and the Lord’s righteousness is revealed in my body. Hallelujah!
FURTHER STUDY:
Matthew 9:35; Mark 3:14-15; 3 John 1:2; Revelation 22:2
1-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Luke 2:1-20 & Deuteronomy 11-12
2-YEAR BIBLE READING PLAN: Acts 28:21-31 & Psalm 83-84