Eight Steps to Spiritual Healing: (Seven and Eight)

Seventh Confession: I Will Follow Through With the Cure

Every step in this process is vital, but if one step could be classified as the most crucial, this one is it. Good intentions, promises and words either gain or lose credibility at this step. Often, savvy people quickly learn what they are expected to say, and say it to give the appearance of cooperation. Even sincere people who know they need to change their lives sail smoothly along until they reach this point. This step tests commit­ments, tries faith and examines the sincerity of a person’s intentions. Once a person knows what to do, it becomes his/her responsibility to do it. Only by following through with our intentions do we achieve full reconciliation with God.

Follow-through ensures that thoughts become realities, that ideas become facts. The records of hospitals and surgeons reveal the number of “no-shows,” or people who were scheduled for surgery but didn’t keep their appointments. Even more common is the number of people who fail to keep their doctor’s orders, who do not take regularly prescribed medicine or who “cheat” on diets and exercise programs. No one can claim ignorance of the cure at this point. The problem lies with the character of the one who is sick.

Spiritually, the lack of follow-through presents a major stumbling block to many people. James says,

“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror “And, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. “But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:22-25.

The success of any cure depends upon the actual, physical real-life follow-through. The cure does not exist in the laboratory vials or test tubes. It does not exist in the volumes of reports, test results or conferen­ces. It does not exist on the x-ray films or ultra-sound videos or computer printouts. All these are preliminary to the application of the cure. Nothing happens until the patient is wheeled into the surgical suite.

Unfortunately, many people who seek a cure for their spiritual pain bog down in the preliminary procedures. To them, the cure exists in their minds or on paper, but they do not follow through. All they end up with is an illusion, even though that illusion may be logically thought out and may have all the earmarks of a cure. It is not a cure until it is fully applied.

The greatest example of follow-through is our Lord Himself. With one word, He could have effected salvation for everyone. One wave of His hand could have destroyed Satan. One thought arcing across his mind could have washed sin from the world. Yet, He entered the world in the form of a man, and died an actual death on the cross for us. He did not turn His faith into a “mind cult.” He did not retain His Word on an intellectual, ethereal plane. “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.” John 1:14.

In fact, John later combated a group of heretics called Gnostics who denied that Jesus came in the flesh. They placed such value on the mental plane that they believed the fleshly existence was too evil for Christ to enter. Of these views, John wrote, “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. This is how you can recognize the Spirit of God: Every spirit that ac­knowledges that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, but every spirit that does not acknowledge Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you have heard is coming and even now is already in the world. I John 4:1-3.

The Apostle Paul also stressed the importance of physically involving our whole being in our relationship with God. “There­fore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be trans­formed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2.

Follow through with faith. Faith is a starting point. It is not an end in itself. Faith works as a vehicle to take a person to a spiritual destination. When one truly believes something, he/she will act upon those beliefs.

Follow through with repentance. Repentance reflects changes in the intellect, emotions and will. Intellectually, we must understand that sin is wrong and an offense against God. Emotion­ally, we must feel sorrow for sin. In our will, we must act to turn away from sin. If one continues in sin, true repentance has not taken place.

Follow through with water baptism. The normal New Testament pattern for salvation incorporated water baptism for each candidate. Both Peter and Paul stressed this step in their ministries.

“While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, ‘Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.’  So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days.” Acts 10:44-48.

“While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples And asked them, ‘Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?’ They answered, ‘No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.’  So Paul asked, ‘Then what baptism did you receive?’ ‘John’s baptism,’ they replied.  Paul said, ‘John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.’ On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus.” Acts 19:1-5.

Follow through with the Spirit baptism. The new birth experience remains incomplete until birth comes by both water and Spirit. Jesus told His disciples to wait in the city of Jerusalem until they had received the Spirit, or “power from on high.” He knew that their mission in this world would fail without sufficient spiritual power. He insisted that they get this power.

“On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: ‘Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. ‘For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’” Acts 1:4-5

“‘But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’” Acts 1:8.

In strict obedience to the words of Jesus, the disciples returned to Jerusalem to wait for the Holy Spirit. After ten days, their patience paid off.

“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4.

The Apostle Peter did not restrict this experience to this initial outpouring on the disciples in the upper room. He threw open the doors widely to all who would listen.

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’” Acts 2:38-39.

Follow through with discipleship. Full, sacrificial disciple­ship stands at apex of living the saved life. Jesus said, “‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.’” Luke 9:23-24.

Without discipleship, there can be no relationship. We must be “in Christ.” Our salvation rests in this relationship with Christ. A signed card on file in the church office, or a superficial prayer at the close of an evangelistic service is no more a relationship with Christ than a marriage certificate is a marriage. Discipleship demands follow-through.

Eighth Confession: I Will Live In Spiritual Health

Two major factors shape an individual’s health. One can be controlled; the other cannot. The factor which defies control is com­prised of elements such as genetic diseases, congenital allergies and conditions, unknown environmental factors, accidents and unavoid­able injuries. The other factor lies in the realm of the individual’s control. Each person decides what to eat, what to drink, whether or not to smoke, whether or not to engage in hazardous occupations or activities, and makes other choices that impinge upon his/her health.

Many people who seem to be in the pink of health have collapsed and died because of an internal condition they knew nothing about. Others who were obviously healthy have destroyed their own lives as a result of either foolish or calculated risks. One may not be able to avoid traffic accidents in normal, responsible driving, but choosing to drag race or to drive recklessly is another matter. A person may not be responsible for a congenital heart defect, but should he/she smoke, drink liquor, use narcotics, overdose on sugar and sodium, and eat fatty foods, then the blame for poor health or premature death cannot be assigned to fate or ignorance.

This comparison leads us to the final confession, “I will live in spiritual health.” Remembering that spiritual healing lies in process, balance and equilibrium, we can readily see the importance of responsible living. While a person cannot control every threat to his/her health, those forces which can be controlled, ought to be. Each person must accept some responsibility for life.

This need for spiritually responsible living does not negate the grace of God in our lives any more than a healthy diet takes the place of a good set of genes. God has abundantly taken care of His part by granting us a new heart. “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.”

Ezekiel 36:26-27. This profound spiritual change puts us in a new realm. No force has power over us any more to destroy us.

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? “Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? As it is written: “For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:31-39.

Our spiritual genes are programmed for success. God has carefully positioned us so we may take full advantage of His grace, power and wisdom. But does this act alone absolve us from all responsibility? Let our medical model answer that question. Suppose a person’s doctor says, “You have a clean bill of health. Everything checks out in perfect order. I don’t see any reason why you should have any restrictions on your life whatsoever.” Does this report mean that this same person should abandon a healthy lifestyle on the premise of the doctor’s statement? Of course not. Let’s see why.

Paul’s statement in Romans 8:31-39 reflects the power and handiwork of God. In it, the Apostle simply affirms God’s intentions for believers, and His divine ability to back up every word of His promises. There is no intent to give us license to break every principle of spiritual health. He established this truth in an earlier chapter.

“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:1-4.

The secret of sustained spiritual health is clear. After a person is saved, he/she must begin to live in a spiritually healthy way. Unless this happens, every advantage of the new birth can be squandered away.

“Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation—If you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant.” Colossians 1:21-23.

Paul recognized the danger of falling. To the Corinthians, he wrote,

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  I Corinthians 9:25-27.

Others had not practiced such a disciplined and responsible life. Their lives ended in disaster. Paul exhorts Timothy to avoid their same fate.

“Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, Holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.  Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.”  I Timothy 1:18-20.

Physical health is not a goal to be reached and then forgot­ten. It is not a test of one’s ability to hit a target. Health is a state of being, a condition to be maintained in the face of adversity and challenge. Spiritual health follows the same pattern. It is bound up in an ongoing relationship with Jesus Christ. This final step makes all the other steps worthwhile. The true objective of Christ in salvation is not only to touch the lives of believers, but also to be involved with them, commune with them and walk with them on a daily basis. Only this fulfills the purpose of redemption.