## Divine Healing, Part 3

## Isaiah 53:5

Over the last few weeks we have been looking at the subject of healing. We have discussed divine healing and the death of Christ and divine healing and the will of God. We have found that the Scriptures certainly teach that God has the power to heal and continues to heal in accordance with His sovereign will. Christ died on Calvary to deliver us from sin, not sickness.

Today we want to look at some of the passages of Scripture that have been misinterpreted by many who promote the teaching that it is always God's will that all believers be healed. And that healing was provided in the atonement and all we must do is claim it!

I. Isaiah 53:4-5

A. Two healings spoken of in this passage.

1. Physical healing: "...he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows..."

2. Spiritual healing: "...with his stripes we are healed..."

B. Note: Matthew 8:16-17.

1. Here we have the fulfillment of v4.

2. Note that this is before the cross!

3. Jesus' power to heal did not depend on the crucifixion, nor does it now!

C. The word "heal" does not always mean physical healing.

1. In Luke 4:18 it means to alleviate heartaches. "heal the brokenhearted"

2. In Hebrews 12:13 it means to change one's conduct. "let it rather be healed"

3. In Matthew 13:15 it means being saved. "and should be converted, and I should heal them"

D. Peter's statement in 1Pe. 2:24 as well as in Isaiah the focus is upon spiritual healing.

1. "But he was wounded for our trans- gressions, he was bruised for our iniquities...and with his stripes we are healed" Is. 53:5

2. "Who his ownself bare our sins in his own body on the tree...by whose stripes ye were healed." 1Pe. 2:24

II. Psalm 103:1-8

A. "Who healeth all thy diseases"

1. This verse is used to "prove" that we are never to be sick, because, after all, God has promised to heal all our diseases.

2. It is important for us to not take Scripture out of context to prove our point.

3. To say that this verse applies to us now and that it guarantees the healing of all our physical diseases means that we must apply the fifth verse as well and expect some sort of continual youth.

4. It is clear from the surrounding verses that the Psalmist is talking about spiritual healing.

B. If physical healing is in view it must be once and for all, eternal.

1. The death of Christ dealt with eternal issues.

2. His death made possible eternal life to as many as believe.

3. If physical healing was also provided in that death, it too must be eternal

III. James 5:10-15

A. The prayer of faith shall save the sick.

1. Much emphasis is placed on the word "shall" as if this means always, but that is not the case

2. Once again, we must look at the context and find that James refers those who are sick to call for the elders of the church and ask them to pray.

3. No gift of healing is in view here at all, prayer is the key in this passage.

B. Spiritual healing is involved in this verse if we read all of it together.

1. "If he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him."

2. So is it salvation from sickness or sin?

3. Note: v16 confession of faults and prayer for healing.

Bringing this all together we understand and accept that God can and does heal physical infirmities. That healing is subject to the sovereign will of God. It is not guaranteed in the atonement. It is not always God's will to heal. He, and He alone, determines when and to what extent healing is granted. He, and He alone, deserves glory and honor when He chooses to heal and when He chooses not to grant healing.