So, a conversation in the church within the last few weeks has really haunted me. The conversation had to do with healing and our faith. The comment went something like this "if you believe, if you have enough faith, then God will heal you or a family member." Woah. I find that incredibly scary. Don't misunderstand, I believe that God is Almighty, He can do whatever He wants. I do not believe, however, that we control his decisions. He doesn't snap His fingers based upon the strength of our faith. If you think about it....that is a very scary faith. With that kind of statement, it means that because my grandmother passed last year, it is my fault, my faith wasn't strong enough, or that kiddo with downs syndrome or autism isn't healed because their parents faith isn't strong enough. Those things are simply not true.
There are many people who have held the believe that if their faith was strong enough then their loved ones would be healed and the loved ones still passed away. But those people blamed themselves when things didn't work out...if after all of that prayer and hoping, it still didn't work, then they don't need God. God didn't listen to them so why follow Him?
We, of course, want you to pray and believe, but you can't save your loved ones. Don't put the weight of the world upon your own shoulders. God will help you, and carry you through, but the strength of your faith is not the Savior of the world, that is Christ's job.
Many people who believe that their faith is in control base it upon the passage in John (John 16:23-24):
23 In that day you will no longer ask me anything. Very truly I tell you, my Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 24 Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.
Those that use this passage use it literally, taking it word for word, but that is very dangerous, and what we call "proof-texting" or taking a passage from the Bible out of context to prove your point. In the actual context of this passage, Jesus is talking about the coming of the Holy Spirit and how as believers grow in holiness as we continue into entire sanctification (being made Holy, like God is Holy) God's priorities become our priorities. God's heart literally transforms our heart to be inline with His heart. So, Jesus isn't saying "bring God your wish list and He'll grant it", as long as you pray in Jesus' name. Jesus isn't offering a formula in this passage for you to get what you want. Jesus is giving us a window to see what life can be like when we are walking in step with the Holy Spirit. Honestly, we don't know why God allows some people to suffer or bad people to get good things, many of those questions we won't have an answer to this side of Heaven, but the Christian faith isn't about having all of the answers....it is about learning how to ask (and live with) the right questions.
Those that use this passage use it literally, taking it word for word, but that is very dangerous, and what we call "proof-texting" or taking a passage from the Bible out of context to prove your point. In the actual context of this passage, Jesus is talking about the coming of the Holy Spirit and how as believers grow in holiness as we continue into entire sanctification (being made Holy, like God is Holy) God's priorities become our priorities. God's heart literally transforms our heart to be inline with His heart. So, Jesus isn't saying "bring God your wish list and He'll grant it", as long as you pray in Jesus' name. Jesus isn't offering a formula in this passage for you to get what you want. Jesus is giving us a window to see what life can be like when we are walking in step with the Holy Spirit. Honestly, we don't know why God allows some people to suffer or bad people to get good things, many of those questions we won't have an answer to this side of Heaven, but the Christian faith isn't about having all of the answers....it is about learning how to ask (and live with) the right questions.
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