HEALING AND ATONEMENT

I have suffered a severe crippling disease since 1999ⁱ. I had followed the faith teachingⁱⁱ and believed I would be healed if I had "enough" faith because total healing is included in the Atonement and belongs to the believers now. But, instead of receiving the healing, I became very ill and almost died. According to their teachings, I am the one to blame because I did not have enough faith to receive the healing. After three years' struggle, I decided to turn my trust to the Lord himself instead of the faith teachings. I found peace and rest in the Lord and my body started responding to the medical treatment. I am sharing this experience now with you to let you know that, sometimes half-truth is not truth and even worse, it could be very harmful.

The faith teachers claim that all their teachings are Scripture oriented. This is the main reason why I had followed their teachings. Later, my illness forced me to take a closer look of their teachings. There are three sets of biblical text that support these assertions ⁱⁱⁱ. The first set is Paul's discussion that Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law (Galatians 3:14). It is then coupled with Deuteronomy 28:21-22 where disease is one of the curses of disobedience to the law. It is argued from these texts that Christ has freed us from the curse of the law and thus freed us from illness^iv. However, it is unlikely that Paul was referring to the "curses” of Deuteronomy 28 when he spoke of that in Galatians. Theologically speaking, from the book of Romans, we can see that the structure of law produced death rather than life. It is this death from the working of the law as a means of self-righteousness that Christ redeems us from.

The second set is from Isaiah 53 and the citation of 53:4 in Mathew 8:17 and of 53:5 in 1 Peter 2:24. Isaiah 53 describes the suffering Messiah will be the one who bears our diseases and weaknesses. The stories of healing in Matthew 8:17 and 1 Peter 2:24 (especially the change to the past tense) are understood to be the fulfillment of Isaiah 53. Mattew's use of Isaiah 53:4 has nothing to do with Atonement; it is a part of Messiah's earthly ministry. If we take Isaiah 53:5 and 53:6 joined with l Peter 2:24-25 than we can see that healing here is to restore health from the sickness of our sins.

The third set is texts that remind us God honors faith, e.g., Matthew 11:24, 17:20; Luke 17:6, Mark 9:23; and James 1:6. These faith passages are used by believers to claim their healing as promised by God. They see healing as a gift that has been atoned for and the vehicle to get this gift is through "the hand of faith"^v. Faith and healing have a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Lack of faith, then is given as the final reason why this covenanted grace of healing is not realized by all Christians. Faith is defined as the human will to believe. The human ability to "believe" is the key that unlocks God's promises. If you pray enough, repent enough, know enough, then God's blessings and healing are yours. The emphasis is on claiming the promises and the magic power of positive confession. This kind of faith formula teaches that God responds to His people because of their work (to get enough faith) rather than of His grace^vi.

The total healing teachings only see the receiving healing as a manifestation of "full faith" and condemn the ones without. However, the full faith should not only get these biblical texts to work for total healing, but also know how to trust God when prayers not answered and healing not received. Let's take a look at the Apostle Paul and his associates. Paul was ill when he first visited Galatians (Galatians 4:13). Epaphroditus fell ill and was nearly dead. He recovered because of God's mercy not his faith (Philippians 2:26). Trophimus was left sick in Miletus (2 Timothy 4:20). Paul advised Timothy to take some wine to treat his digestion problem (1 Timothy5: 23). How about those who died in faith yet they did not receive God's promises (Hebrew 11:34-40)? These great church fathers all had ministry accompanied with power and wonder, yet, why they did not have enough faith or did not have total healing? Because in addition to faith they also had hope (Hebrew11: 40). When our prayers are not answered and healing has not been manifested; we still have hope in Christ.

Although the Bible is a book for all seasons and speaks out of the past directly to our recent situations, the meaning that the author plainly intended to the original readers is essential while interpreting it. We should not distort the Scripture to fit into our own theory. However, based on the scriptures mentioned above, two major assertions were made^vii. First, healing is a covenanted mercy in the same way that forgiveness of sin is a covenanted grace through the death and resurrection of Christ. Healing is part of the Atonement; God is obligated to heal every one from every sickness. Second, therefore, it is God’s will to have every Christian enjoy total healing right now in this present life.

The first assertion views disease and sin as part of the same construct, as though all disease is the direct result of sin through the Fall of Adam^viii. The Atonement that destroyed the power of sin also destroyed the effect of disease. However, as we discussed earlier, there is no clear scriptural support that freedom from diseases is warranted to every believer in Christ in the same way that freedom from the condemnation of sin is warranted to the believers. The second assertion claims that healing from disease should be experienced in this present time in the same way as forgiveness of sins. Indeed, the forgiveness of sins and healing are included in the Atonement. But, the end-time nature of both should also be taken into consideration^ix. Many of us believe that forgiveness of sin is a present reality. If we make this assertion and we contend that healing is in the Atonement, then, we really are saying that healing is available to us now. This is the mistake the faith teacher make. In fact, the forgiveness of sin is tied to the resurrection of Christ instead of death on the cross^x. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 15:17, "if Christ is not raised from the dead, you are still in your sins." Paul also says in Philippians 3:10-11, "I want…to become like Him in His death in the hope that I myself will be raised from the death to life". Because resurrection is contained in the Atonement, both the forgiveness of sin and healing are contained in the Atonement and both will be realized when the believers are raised from death at Christ's Second Coming. What we have now is the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives to assure us this future reality.

In fact, we now live in a period between Christ's first coming and His coming again. Although the victory over all evils has been won through Christ's death and resurrection, the evil and its power have not yet been removed. The evil age and the age to come are present at this same time. Our salvation is experienced under the tension of these overlapping powers-the power of God and the power of evil. Because we are in the "now and not yet" we are subject to the weakness of the flesh, we still continue to suffer affliction, disease and death. Therefore, real faith will enable us to endure the unexplainable events occurred in life^xi. We can not explain every thing and we don't have to, things just happen. There are mysteries we still don't understand. But we can learn to embrace the larger dimension of love, including suffering and death.

The presence of the kingdom of God as manifested in healing and other Christian ministry is now only partial because of this now-and-not-yet nature. Divine healing that does occur now is temporary, provisional, and not final. It is not something that gives one person a favor over another because God has no respecter for persons (Acts10: 34). It is more a kind of sacrament and ministry to the Church and to the whole world that Christ's resurrection is real ^xii. It reaffirms believers of their final resurrection in Christ. It makes visible that the Kingdom of God is breaking into the world through His Church and the Church as His representative has authority to heal and deliver.

"Now what is faith?” It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see" (Hebrews11: 1). It is when we are resurrected that we will receive all the benefits of the Atonement; forgiveness and whole healing. Until then, we live in faith under the tension of "now-and not yet"; continue to advance the kingdom of God through preaching, healing and caring in love as Christ commands us until His coming again.

Godliness（piety）

Godliness is the characters of God. Is the right attitude toward God the Father as Our Lord Jesus had when He was on earth in flesh. The best model we can look up to is our Lord Jesus. He is the Word in human flesh. Therefore, godliness is not just an abstract concept. Rather, God has turn a vague concept into a solid picture presented before us.

Godliness originated from Greek word eusebeia which used in the New Testament to express the idea of inner piety, spiritual maturity, or godliness. The first usage can be found in the Greek poet, Homer, in about 1000 BC. Then the word came into use in the classical Greek of Athens (Attic Greek) where it referred to personal piety in fulfilling the personal relationships. In Greek religion, it was also used to describe a person who was faithful in fulfilling his duties to various local gods where he lived. The Attic Greek always used this word for outward expression of piety, such as the giving of gifts to gods , participation in sacrifices and worship, or making a show of religion in public.

As the word eusebeia began to be used in the koine Greek, it came to mean "inner piety", or spirituality, a duty which the believer owes to God in the inner man. Accordingly, this word used in the Titus context can be referred as control by or filling of the Holy Spirit which produces godly qualities of conformity to Christ.

Following are scriptures containing the word eusebeia and have been translated as "godliness" in the King James Version.

ACTS 3:12
When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk(niv)?

彼得看見、就對百姓說、以色列人哪、為甚麼把這事當作希奇呢．為甚麼定睛看我們、以為我們憑自己的能力和虔誠、使這人行走呢。

1 TIM. 2:2

for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 為君王和一切在位的也該如此．使我們可以敬虔端正、平安無事的度日。

1 TIM. 3:16;

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

大哉、敬虔的奧秘、無人不以為然．就是　神在肉身顯現、被聖靈稱義、〔或作在靈性稱義〕被天使看見、被傳於外邦、被世人信服、被接在榮耀裡。

1 TIM.4:7,8;

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.

只是要棄絕那世俗的言語、和老婦荒渺的話、在敬虔上操練自己。

for physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 操練身體、益處還少．惟獨敬虔、凡事都有益處．因有今生和來生的應許．

1 TIM.6:3-6
If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain. But godliness with contentment is great gain.

若有人傳異教、不服從我們主耶穌基督純正的話、與那合乎敬虔的道理．他是自高自大、一無所知、專好問難、爭辯言詞、從此就生出嫉妒、分爭、毀謗、妄疑、 並那壞了心術、失喪真理之人的爭競。他們以（外表的）敬虔為得利的門路．然而敬虔加上知足的心便是大利了．

1 TIM.6:11-12But you, man of God, pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentlenes. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

但你這屬神的人、要..追求公義、敬虔、信心、愛心、忍耐、溫柔。你要為真道打那美好的仗、持定永生．你為此被召．也在許多見證人面前、已經作了那美好的見證。

2 TIM. 3:5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.

有敬虔的外貌(形式）、卻背了敬虔的實意（没有敬虔的實質能力）。這等人你要躲開。

2 PET. 1:3,6,7
1:3His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. 神的神能已將一切關乎生命和虔敬的事賜給我們、皆因我們認識那用自己榮耀和美德召我們的主。

2 PET.1:6-7：and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.

有了知識、又要加上節制．有了節制、又要加上忍耐．有了忍耐、又要加上虔敬． 有了虔敬、又要加上愛弟兄的心．有了愛弟兄的心、又要加上愛眾人的心。

2 PET. 3:11-12

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly livesas you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.這一切既然都要如此銷化、你們為人該當怎樣聖潔、怎樣敬虔、切切仰望　神的日子來到．在那日天被火燒就銷化了、有形質的都要被烈火鎔化。

A true man of God has qualities of inner piety - the characteristics of a spiritually mature person. This is not a phony façade put on to please or impress people. The source of this godliness is the Word of God. The godly person has not only learned doctrine academically, but he has also seen that word applied to his life in edification over a period of years.

Spirituality is an absolute quality, depending on a believer's walk with the Lord, and particularly on his maintaining his fellowship with the Lord through confession. But none of this is visible.

How can we tell when true spirituality and maturity are present? Or, how do you know the difference between a godly man and one who is merely well educated and in control of himself? A carnal believer, the novice Christian, can be moral, can use the right vocabulary, can wear a suit and carry a Bible. He can fool some of the people some of the time.

But the godly believer is known by "his fruits" - the fruit of the Holy Spirit . Godliness is produced in the life of a Christian who is both learning doctrine and growing thereby through edification.

Godliness is the concept of the inward life and the outward appearance of the fruit of the Spirit.

For example, in the spiritual fruit of love we see genuine care and regard for people, an impersonal love for people who are different, even though they are enemies. This love results in the philozenos of TITUS 1:8. [See the notes on Characteristics of Impersonal Love]. Love is the absence of mental attitude sins and sins of the tongue. The negatives have been eliminated from the believer's life so that (1) he no longer hates, despises, disdains, or envies other people, (2) he no longer maligns or ridicules them, and therefore (3) he is free to have a ministry with others that is not hindered by offensiveness or bitterness.

Joy is the spiritual fruit which enables a Christian to have happiness that does not depend on the details of life. He has a stable mental attitude from looking to Jesus and trusting the Father for everything. He does not fall into moody depression when things go wrong or he is criticized of maligned. He does not fall into wide emotional swings. He does not depend on others to prop up his happiness. I TIM. 6:6, "Godliness (eusebeia) with contentment is great gain..."

A believer who has peace is a master of the Faith-Rest technique. He is nearly unflappable, because he has a lot of practice in placing every distress, every disaster, in the hands of the Lord. He is the most relaxed person in the neighborhood. He does not have chronic worry about the present or future. He knows that the Lord can handle everything. So he is not paranoid. Even if someone is really out to get him, he is relaxed and praying, even for the enemy who is plotting against him. He places great confidence in the Lord, especially regarding death, knowing and resting in the fact that "absent from the body" means "present with the Lord." So he is not one of those who "through fear of death are all their lifetime subject to bondage" (HEB. 2:15).

Well, for homework, you can make up your own descriptions for the remaining parts of the fruit of the Spirit: Longsuffering, Gentleness, Goodness, Faith, Meekness, Temperance. Just remember that God's plan for you is that you continue to be a godly Christian.

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