The False Dichotomy: Healing and Salvation

 

Some pastors compare physical healing ministry with their soul-saving ministries. They opine, "Physical healing is temporary; salvation is permanent. Jesus came to save people from their sins, not only heal the sick. The people Jesus healed died eventually. Therefore, healing ministry is shallower than the ministry of salvation." The comparison between Healing and Salvation is scripturally unfounded. There is no dichotomy between these. The Good News is about God's Kingdom among, through, and for us: past, present, and future. Jesus did miracles of physical healing as a glimpse of our eternal life in defectless, resurrection bodies in the age to come. God reverses the effects of Adamic and Israel's exile through the Messianic King Jesus. 

The religious Jews of Jesus' time considered sin, slavery, and deformities (Physical and mental) as effects of exile. Therefore, when Jesus healed the blind, cleansed the lepers, and forgave the prostitutes, the sense was of God coming as Israel's savior to deliver them from the effects of their sin and exile. That is why, in many places, the gospel writers use the word (σωζω) for salvation for a healing miracle also. Therefore, the distinction between healing and salvation is a false dichotomy. Both physical healings and spiritual forgiveness (salvation) point to our future salvation –Eternal life with King Jesus in the New Jerusalem in physical yet incorruptible immortal perfect bodies. 

Today, God healed Chandran, an octogenarian male, of his Herpes Zoster pain, itching, and eruptions with a Homoeopathic medicine Natrum Mur. I feel grateful that God used me to treat him graciously and freely. He is a tailor but has many troubles besides poverty. Chandran worked for his family and extended family in the Middle East for many years. Unfortunately, his relatives abandoned him after he returned. His first son died recently in a road accident. His wife is also sick and weak. Papa knows this man. He helped him by giving him work. (My father has helped many people find work.) 

Two weeks ago, he came to my clinic with tears in his eyes. He had intense pain and itching in those herpetic eruptions. I told him to isolate himself from others and gave him some remedies. Today, he has healed. When he showed me his healing, his eyes welled up. He is still depressed because of his circumstances. Chandran wanted to pay me, but he doesn't have anything until he starts working again (perhaps next week or later). The Lord gave me the grace to treat him for free. Let us dispense Christ's love. We are his representatives on earth. Let's give freely and generously what we have received for free.

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