I think another aspect that is often ignored in this is that we are told that the world will get so bad that if God didn't step in there would be total destruction--and this is reflected in the degradation of...everything, under human control. Ergo, although we can actually witness human evolution now, there is also a human devolution, and while I don't disbelieve miraculous cures, I suspect human culpability (Christians' included; you drive a car, for instance) has made this "not the season" for that.
The rise of autism, etc. One must consider how much faith can be invested in a prayer for the miraculous relief of an essentially societally self-inflicted disease. I am more impressed by accounts of remission due to finding and correcting a problem, often dietary, but water, air, you name it. I would almost say that these are the miracles of our time. Women don't need mammograms anymore, by a factor of something like 100:1, if they just take vitamin D or better yet, get some sun. Etc.
Another factor that might be considered is that God is prolly in no hurry, and might have no problem with us near-extincting ourselves a couple times...while signs certainly point to the end, "When this is...preached to all the world, then the end will come" could easily be interpreted "When you all get it..."
Lack of Scriptural healing should not be surprising right now; we are in dark times, Spiritually. About as divided as it gets.
Well...here's what I think. Faith isn't what it used to be. People don't believe like oldtimers used to. Where we have internet, some people television, so much technology and so much happening, oldtimers had nothing but church. They probably prayed a lot more, fasted a lot more and with less cheats, and read their Word more than we do now. That being said, I have personally seen miracles, signs, and wonders, and I have heard of miracles, signs, and wonders, from people who would have absolutely no reason to lie to me. They do still happen, just not as often, due to a lack of real, unrelenting faith.
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1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him.
It says if you ask God to do something, and if He wants to do it, He will do it. It really can't fail, can it? Ask Him to do something. If it happens, He wanted to do it and did it. If it doesn't happen, He didn't want to do it, so He didn't. Simple!
I think the key words in I John 5:14 is "according to his will."
Timmy, you've interpreted this phrase to imply that "if He wants to do it, He will do it," and if not, then it was because "He didn't want to do it," thereby placing the emphasis for receipt or denial of that which one asks exclusively upon God. I must disagree with this understanding. In order to understand that which John is implying, one must take into consideration a statement which he penned earlier, wherein he was also addressing this same thing (that is, having "confidence" that we shall receive all things which we ask God for):
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." ~ I John 3:22
Should not common logic and reasoning tell us that it can hardly be said that one who is NOT observing God's commandments (that is, doing things which are pleasing to Him), possesses the "confidence" that they shall receive from God which they ask of Him? Thus we see the emphasis is NOT upon either God's ability or decision to grant what we ask of Him, rather it lies entirely with the petitioner.
Simply put... when I ask God for anything, I must first insure that I am exerting my very best efforts to live righteously (i.e., "keep his commandments," which equips me to always "do those things that are pleasing in his sight"), else I must acknowledge, just as John stated, He will NOT "heareth," for I am lacking in the "confidence" I MUST possess which will insure that He will grant that which I have asked of Him.
We still have them on a regular basis. Not everyone gets gets healed they never did during the ministry of the Apostles. We have had several notable healings in the last year.
We still have them on a regular basis. Not everyone gets gets healed they never did during the ministry of the Apostles. We have had several notable healings in the last year.
Bro Epley,
Are you stating that there were some, whom the apostles prayed for that were sick or in need of healing, who did not receive it?
Can you provide a specific scriptural passage which lends authenticity to your assertion (the bolded portion)?
Jesus said, "And ALL things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." ~ Matthew 21:22
It would seem to me that when one is taking heed to and obeying the things which John said that they MUST do in order to have "confidence" that God will hear and answer their prayer (yea, even those where healing is requested), then God has obligated Himself to respond accordingly.
So again I feel compelled to say ~ ALL of the emphasis rests with the petitioner: 1. We MUST ask in prayer; 2. We MUST believe (i.e., possess the "confidence" that because we are living righteously He will "hear" and grant our petition), and then; 3. We MUST receive it.
In the absence of any of these three essentials then it can hardly be said that we possess the "confidence" that God will "hear" our petition and grant it.
I think the key words in I John 5:14 is "according to his will."
Timmy, you've interpreted this phrase to imply that "if He wants to do it, He will do it," and if not, then it was because "He didn't want to do it," thereby placing the emphasis for receipt or denial of that which one asks exclusively upon God. I must disagree with this understanding. In order to understand that which John is implying, one must take into consideration a statement which he penned earlier, wherein he was also addressing this same thing (that is, having "confidence" that we shall receive all things which we ask God for):
"And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight." ~ I John 3:22
Should not common logic and reasoning tell us that it can hardly be said that one who is NOT observing God's commandments (that is, doing things which are pleasing to Him), possesses the "confidence" that they shall receive from God which they ask of Him? Thus we see the emphasis is NOT upon either God's ability or decision to grant what we ask of Him, rather it lies entirely with the petitioner.
Simply put... when I ask God for anything, I must first insure that I am exerting my very best efforts to live righteously (i.e., "keep his commandments," which equips me to always "do those things that are pleasing in his sight"), else I must acknowledge, just as John stated, He will NOT "heareth," for I am lacking in the "confidence" I MUST possess which will insure that He will grant that which I have asked of Him.
"According to his will" means exactly what I said. You haven't even offered an alternative meaning. You merely added more prerequisites in addition to "according to his will", but I never said there weren't more.
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
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