The Gifts of the Holy Spirit: - Vital Christianity

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Since suffering is so prevalent in Scripture some have argued that there is a distinction
between suffering and sickness. Suffering is something external to us which comes as the result of
our following Christ. In the case of the thorn in the flesh, it is argued, this is what Paul suffered
and which we may expect to suffer as well. Sickness and disease, on the other hand, are a part of
the Fall and the curse which have now been overcome by Christ.
Such a distinction cannot be made biblically. The biblical writers simply did not make neat
distinctions. In both the Old Testament and New Testament the most common word for sickness
is the word that is also used for weakness. Usually only the context tells us what kind of
“weakness” is meant.
The reason why there is no etymological distinction is that all evil is seen to be the result of
the Fall, not just sickness. And God delivers us from all kinds of evil, not just sickness. But this
does not mean He always delivers us from evil. Even though Paul was hindered by Satan from
returning to Thessalonica (I Thess. 2:18), there is no hint that he or God “failed.” Sickness, then,
is not some unique part of the Fall which we are delivered from as we demand God by faith.
Sickness is a part of the whole of evil and fallenness.
There are many reasons for sickness.
1. TO BRING GLORY TO GOD (Jn. 9:1-3; Job). Even death can bring glory to God
(Jn. 21:19). Emily Gardiner Neal was an agnostic reporter who determined to expose the
myth of healing. But in the process of her research she found Christ. She writes, “We are
often led astray by the false assumption that God can be glorified only by a witness of
physical healing. The truth is that some of the most effective Christian witnesses I know
are those who are lying flat on their backs expectantly waiting their healing by God’s
grace and at the same time are offering their suffering to be used for his glory.” In one
situation God is glorified by healing, in another He is glorified by withholding healing.
2. OLD AGE (Dan. 8:27). Although Daniel recovered, Elisha did not (II Kings 13:14).
There is no reason to believe that Elisha, who performed twice as many miracles as Elijah,
died because of a lack of faith. If there was something spiritually wrong with Elisha,
causing him to die in his sickness, why did his bones retain enough power after his death
to resurrect a dead man (II Kings 13:20-21)?
3. OVERWORK (Phil. 2:25-30). There is no evidence that Epaphroditus was ill because of
hidden sin or lack of faith. Paul explains that “outwardly we are wasting away, yet
inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (II Cor. 4:16). We are still waiting for the
“redemption of our bodies” (Rom. 8:23).