Crippled Christ vol. 2

Paralyzed Potentate

We as the church are lead by an all powerful king (potentate) yet we treat him as if he has no power. We in effect paralyze the potentate when we ignore his healing power in our churches and culture. The body of Christ does not exist to build itself up, it is not an inwardly focused body. So much focus has been put on preaching the gospel, that we have forgotten to live the gospel. When we deny the healing power of God we paralyze the healing arms and legs of the body of Christ.

Healing is a part of God's redemptive work in the world. Throughout scriptures healing is present, healing has and always will be a part of God's work with humanity. By rejecting healing, or ignoring it we turn from that which at the heart of the gospel. In Luke 4:14-21 it is revealed that Jesus has come to preach good news to the poor, proclaim freedom for the prisoners, restore sight for the blind, and to release the oppressed, then he went out and did that. We sing songs such as "Amazing Grace" and believe that we need healing of spiritual sight. Jesus went out spit in the mud and healed physically. He told the lame to get up and walk and they did. It is rare to see healing happening in our churches. Don't get me wrong, healing is more than just physical, however healing from God includes spiritual and physical healing. It is time this is recognized and the body of Christ starts moving out and healing those in their communities. The gospel includes healing. As Leslie Newbigin has said "preaching is meaningless without . . . healings" (The Gospel in a Pluralist Society, 132).

One final clarification, salvation does not equal physical healing. People who are not healed can be saved. However this is no reason to abandon healing, healing is part of salvation.