The Ultimate Spa Treatment

In last weekend’s message, Senior Pastor Jim White discussed two types of healing God can provide: faith-resulting healing and faith-creating healing. The first form of healing is the outcome of followers having faith so deeply rooted in the Lord that they would go to extreme measures to have themselves or those close to them receive healing. The second type of healing occurs in order to create faith in the unbeliever.

John 5 tells of a crippled man who was so used to being crippled, so comfortable with his life that had been reduced to begging others for help, that when he encountered the only person who could cure his disability he didn’t even think to ask for healing.

This idea extends way beyond the parameters of physical ailments. We become crippled by circumstances and then settle into the role that results, remaining the victim rather than seeking restoration.

Maybe you are being crippled by the effects of a divorce that left you alone and confused.

Maybe you thought once you graduated college everything would fall into place, but instead you’re still struggling to find a job and pay your rent.

Maybe you never thought you’d be a teenage parent.

Maybe last year you could have stopped drinking whenever you wanted, but now it’s just easier to continue adding to your collection of empty bottles.

Maybe you’ve been trying so hard to resist temptations that you start to question whether it’s even worth it.

Maybe you didn’t realize the emptiness you would feel after the abortion.

Maybe you need to turn to the One person you’ve been running away from.

John 5:8-9 (NIV) says, “Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.”  After living thirty-eight years as an invalid this man was able to stand up and walk as if he’d been able to his entire life. This created faith in him and this should create faith in us. 

We just need to get over ourselves. We need to get over the idea that we must remain a victim. We need to become so disgusted with the idea of falling into complacency with our brokenness that we seek God’s healing touch. And we need to be so full of faith that when he heals us we pick up our mat and follow Him without a second thought.