C.S. Lovett, a retired USAF chaplain, wrote, “I do not mean to imply that God doesn’t use sickness… But the point is — He [God] doesn’t SEND sickness,” in his classic book, Jesus Wants You Well (1973). Growing up in the early 1970’s in evangelical, fundamental, Bible preaching churches, I remember being introduced to the writings of Dr. Lovett’s Personal Christianity by a blessed, fervent church friend. Lovett got it right, and he disagreed with conventional wisdom on 2Corinthians 12:7-10 about Paul’s thorn in the flesh. The devil wants us sick, since the “thorn in the flesh” (2Corinthians 12:7 KJV) was a “messenger [Greek, aggelos, angel] of Satan [Greek, satan, adversary]” (12:7) sent by God to “buffet” (12:7) Paul — and us. An evil angel of Satan was allowed to torment Paul, like Jesus was “led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil” (Matthew 4:1). The Father no more wanted Jesus to be tempted to make Jesus sin, any more than He wanted Paul to be buffeted to make him perpetually ill. Sure, we are to “glory in [our] infirmities” (12:9) for “when I am weak, then am I strong” (12:10) in the mean time; but, it is the devil buffeting with the sickness. Jesus came to heal and deliver us from the sickness, unless we have hidden issues allowing the adversary to successfully accuse us to prevent our healing. “When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias [Isaiah] the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses” (Matthew 8:16-17; compare Isaiah 53:4-5). Our response to being buffeted is to glory in our infirmities, thus strengthening us spiritually, but not simply to give in to sickness. Brothers and sisters, Jesus wants us well. Let the Holy Spirit persuade you what you should believe.
Scripture Interpret Scripture
FTV: Bible Translation to Avoid
I use many English translations of the Bible, but the King James Version (KJV), I trust the most, and admire for the beauty of its language. The New International Version (NIV) is best for continuity with mainstream Evangelicals. The New English Translation (NET) is quite useful for its translators’ notes. Asking different people to translate the same Original Text is getting their opinion on the meaning of that text. However, I facetiously warn against the Fairy Tale Version (FTV) of the Bible. Since a fairy tale is an incredible, idealized, highly improbable story that you only wish was true, then may the Spirit of God guard us from treating His Word in that fashion. “5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know what manner of men we were among you for your sake. 6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7 So that ye were ensamples [examples] to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves shew [shō] of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1Thessalonians 1:5-10 KJV).
Our Hearts Are Always Parked Or Dwelling Somewhere
Our hearts are always parked or dwelling somewhere. That is our abiding place, where we remain or continue with Christ. Until we move away from that place, we are complete or perfect in Christ. “Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (Hebrews 13:21 KJV). The simplicity of our walk with Christ is straightforward and not to be complicated like modern attempts to analyze humanity. “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2Corinthians 5:17 KJV). Our transformation is supernatural because it is the product of God and not man. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed [Greek, metamorphoō, transfigured, changed] by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:2 KJV). Allow God’s Spirit to reorganize your thinking. As much as we know how, allow Scripture to interpret Scripture, so we can arrive at the supernatural conclusions the Holy Spirit has prepared for us. I like using the suggested cross references from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (available with most Bible software and online).
We Need A Miracle 