If I may be permitted to carry this line of thought a little further. I start by saying that since the time of the Apostles it was considered by the Church to be a privilege and honor to suffer and die for Christ. Then about 30 yrs ago teachers began to assemble a following. Teaching that if we claim and/or appropriate the promises of God sufficiently then we could indeed eliminate sickness, disease and even death. Sadly, in the end the goals of these teachings stand at odds with the plans of God. Prior to Christ people readily accepted sickness, disease and death as part of God's life cycle. Unless a seed falls to the ground it cannot reproduce itself. It is appointed once for all men to die, then the judgment. As we look further into scripture we look at Enoch. He walked and talked with God, and was no more. His age and health were not a factor considered. As like with Elijah who was Raptured with his age and health not considered as well. Then when we look at Moses we are given a physical report card by God concerning his health. It was said that Moses's eye was not dimmed by age, nor was his strength abaited either. Though in good physical condition, Moses was taken by God. We can look at Methusulah and consider his long age. With God eventually outlining the parameters of longevity. Point is that throughout time, God has proven himself sovereign when it came to life and death of all men. Whether by the sword, persecution or by natural afflictions. So then getting back to premise of sin being the only thing considered by God we run into problems. Now add the modern teachings that the lack of appropriating God's promises is the primary cause of unnecessary sickness and death. Again we run into problems. As stated elsewhere, I maintain that we are taught to die to self, and let God be responsible for the numbering of the hairs upon our head! Otherwise also stated previously, God's priority is first Spirit, second Soul and lastly Body! Whereas our priority system is first Body, second Soul and last the Spirit! Ergo a huge disconnect! Just wanted to shed some light on the issue of life and death and compare various perspectives. TR Don't get me wrong, I'm all for God's healing virtues! One other scripture that comes to mind that help establish God's sovereignty regarding life and death in general is: God will bless whom He will bless and curse whom He will curse. Having worked with one such ministry along the vein of health, wealth and prosperity as well as the claiming of kingdom rights, I was taken aback when in the course of a teaching session I heard a ministry leader state the Church had been stupid for the last two thousand years. Regarding the claiming of such from the Lord, this was presented as a recent revelation of knowledge. Indeed red flags were always present with such movement teachings, but this sealed the game for me. But based upon my knowledge and apprehension of certain generic promises found in the scriptures, I then became responsible for my own health and general well being. Either to be commended or blamed! Faith can indeed move mountains, heal sickness, disease, illness and even death in some instances. But God can't heal foolishness! TR Yep, the false Kingdom Now theology and claiming “the church replaced Israel” and the world is getting better nonsense. And the wolves in sheep clothing started coming out of their dark dens trying to fleece the lambs by claiming you need to give them tons of money, “seed of faith” if you expect to be divinely healed. “No money no prayers is their greed motto” Indeed today's "newest" teachings have sprung out of the replacement theology movement. I heard Chuck Missler state that even today, 70% of churches still embrace that mentality in one form or another. While nothing could be further from the truth! Let's face it as pointed out "faith tithing" is still active and well on some pulpits. But what all these aparations of truth share in common is that they steal away the sovereignty of God firstly. Then secondly give a convenient scapegoat for blame when challenges present themselves. I remember that during the word of faith movement even Joni Erickson Tada was told she lacked enough faith for healing. The other avenue of blame in order to save these doctrines of demons is that people were told they had sin in their life! Who doesn't?! Are we not told, all have sinned and fallen short! I personally follow the axiom that when the Spirit leads me to claim a verse or apply faith, I do so. With regards to healing in general, I also heard one pastor claim that less than 5% of Christians ever experience complete healing. Indeed the Word is filled with many generic promises, only at the Spirits bidding are they individually assigned!!! Once again firstly defaulting to what the Lord's will is. TR To be more accurate, the term found in scripture is the doctrines of men and demons. Certainly replacement theology is a doctrine of demons. Sadly, for the sake of doctrinal integrity amongst teachers there always seems to be a built escape clause which usually blames those seeking a healing! How convenient. All the while denying thousands of years of human history and forsaking the fact that even Paul was denied a healing three times, by the Lord himself! And again many teach that God's favor could be purchased with a price. Making him a spiritual whore. All it takes is a 1000$ dollar donation. And where does the donation go? The teacher! Now that's religion folks. But sadly many would rather cling to each their sacred cow! TR
