Sickness because of sin.

[scotty]

Originally Posted by HeavenlyOne

I think that's really based on what we perceive.

I don't think it's true that saints of God are less sick or sick less often than sinner folks. We might think it's that way, but I think it's because we pay more attention to those aspects when in reality, it's not really different.

It's just like the full moon phenomenon. There really isn't anything more crazy during that phase but we will pay more attention to things that do happen when there is a full moon out.

Case in point.....today, my former pastor is in the hospital after having gall bladder surgery yesterday. I'm a heathen and in perfect health.

If the reverse were true, it wouldn't have anything to do with the status each of us have in the church. It's life. Life happens.

Uummm,

I'll stand by my post, I truly believe saints of God, believers and doers of the Word are more blessed than "sinner folks". I know that it rains on the just and the unjust, but the scripture is full of "blessed are they that________" and it does not say that blessings are bestowed upon the unjust.

But I agree with the last part, nothing to do with our status in the church, but much to do with our status in the Spirit.

[HeavenlyOne]

Originally Posted by scotty

Uummm,

I'll stand by my post, I truly believe saints of God, believers and doers of the Word are more blessed than "sinner folks". I know that it rains on the just and the unjust, but the scripture is full of "blessed are they that________" and it does not say that blessings are bestowed upon the unjust.

But I agree with the last part, nothing to do with our status in the church, but much to do with our status in the Spirit.

Sometimes, things are not as they seem. I know sinner folks who are successful and have everything going for them in life. Nothing ever goes wrong and the sun is always shining.

I know church folks who have done nothing but struggle with finances, health, and life in general. They are praying folks who are always on their knees, but nothing ever seems to go right.

But I think of it this way....would they be on their knees if everything was going right? Maybe that's God's way of keeping them there.

I recently got something in an email about things not being as they seem.

There were two angels, one young and one old, who were on earth and they stopped at a mansion to rest for the night. The rich family refused to allow them in the house, but permitted them to stay in the cold basement.

The older angel noticed a hole in the wall of the basement and closed it, fixing it. The young angel asked why he'd do something so kind. The old angel told him that things aren't always as they seem.

They continued on their journey and stopped at a poor shack for the night. The old couple offered them their room and the angels slept in comfort.

The next morning, the old woman was crying. The milk cow, their only source of income, was dead.

The young angel was furious. He asked the old angel why he allowed that to happen. Things aren't always as they seem was the reply.

The young angel demanded an explanation. Why did he do a nice act for the man who refused them nice shelter but allow such a bad thing to happen to the ones who were so kind to them?

The old angel explained that he fixed the hole in the wall because there was gold hidden in it, and he didn't want the rich man to find it because he would keep it to himself.

And the cow? The death angel came for the wife so the angel offered him the cow instead.

Some things aren't as they seem.

[scotty]

Nice e-mail

I once knew a lady who ended a friendship with someone she had loved very dear as a friend.

The lady didnt go to the friend and asked for her to explain what had been said that was totally taken out of context. She hadnt been able to hear for herself in the tone and expression it was said but she only took the worst of what she had heard and ran with it thinking her friend had said terrible things about her.

When all was said and done she decided to end a dear friendship that could have been prevented. Things said are not always as told or preceived so we must be careful not to act hastilly in a situation.

Dont ask me where this came from but I felt to say it.

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by Raven

Miss B
You just make way too much sense! Someone sure must have put some good "stuff" in you as you were growing up! You and my daughter would get along very well. Like "birds of a feather".
Raven

Thanks, Raven. My parents sure tried to make sure I turned out right! I think I've frustrated them a lot...LOL!!!

[MissBrattified]

Originally Posted by OneAccord

I thought about posting something on this subject- but, well, recent events might color my opinions to a degree. But I will say this... while my wife was in the hospital where she was operated on for a brain tumor, I really needed an encouraging word. Something to bolster my faith and spirits. Then I found a Gospel Tract written by an Apostolic preacher on the subject of Divine Healing. Just what I needed. Or so I thought.

One paragraph was dedicated to the promises of God to heal the sick. The rest of the tract was assessing blame on the sick for their sickness. Yes, sin can and does cause sickness. But sickness, like death, is a part of living. However, sickness doesn't always have to have a reason. Sometimes, it just is. So, instead of playing "pin the tail on the donkey", so to speak, we should be doing what Jesus said to do, healing the sick. And THAT is one reason for sickness that is carefully avoided. James urged the sick to call on the elders of the church. (James 5:14). Jesus said that believers would lay hands on the sick and they would recover. (Mark 16). He also said Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Mat 17:21 Instead of blaming the sick for their problems, maybe we should look at ourselves as part of the problem. Have WE paid the price for the Miracle-working Power of God?

I appreciate this post. When I read this thread, I immediately thought of Sister Priscilla McGruder who is now going through cancer again! Other than my mother, I have not known a more godly woman in my lifetime. Talk about a prayer warrior. Talk about spiritual! When they do concerts, you can walk into the dressing room, and there will be other women arranging hair, putting on make-up, etc., but Sister McGruder will be curled up in the corner praying. (Not that there's anything wrong with fixing your hair--but its just that she prepares a little differently than others.)

I know too many wonderful saints of God who have suffered and died to say that it is because of sin, or even a lack of faith. My own father died after a long illness, and even while he was sick he prayed for others and they were healed (me included), but yet God never healed him of his disease. I do believe God gave him strength on many occasions.

Again, I do agree that sin and sickness may be connected--sometimes--but more often, sickness is just part of life, and God does not always choose to heal us or deliver us from our pain.

[Bro-Larry]

Originally Posted by MissBrattified

IMy own father died after a long illness, and even while he was sick he prayed for others and they were healed (me included), but yet God never healed him of his disease. I do believe God gave him strength on many occasions.

Missed Brat, I undertand this point here. It's easier for me to believe for others because, I don't know all their faults.

Bless you, BL

[Joelel]

Yall tell me what you think about the underlined parts of this scripture ?

1 Cor.11:18: For first of all, when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions among you; and I partly believe it.
19: For there must be also heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you. 20: When ye come together therefore into one place, this is not to eat the Lord's supper.
21: For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
22: What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
23: For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread:
24: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.
25: After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me.
26: For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till he come.
27: Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.
28: But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.
29: For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord's body.
30: For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep.
31: For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.
32: But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.
33: Wherefore, my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another.
34: And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come

[Joelel]

John 5:14: Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

[Rev]

Originally Posted by Joelel

John 5:14: Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

That's a good point Jo!