Jesus Christ Does What
No Religion or Philosophy Can :
Forgive Your Sins and Heal All Your Diseases
Forgive Your Sins and Heal All Your Diseases
Within months he collapsed from a severe stroke. On his sick bed he called for the religious people, who did their hocus-pocus, and he became much worse. Not wishing to perish in hospital, he discharged himself, against doctor's orders, and returned home to die. He was just 40 years old. Jesus mercifully arranged one more opportunity for him to hear the Gospel.
What happened? Jesus proved that He is alive;
The same Yesterday, Today, and Forever.
Holy Bible Heb. 13:8 NIV
And worked another wonderful miracle.
The Holy Bible declares:
Some became fools through their rebellious ways, and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food, and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. he sent forth his Word, and healed them.
Psalm 107:17-20
A tannoy proclaimed in metallic Thai the departure of the southbound train. Open windows provided a welcome breeze for an English missionary sweating in the putrid air. The carriage eased from Bangkok Station, as a stranger seated himself opposite the Christian. Neither was aware that, leaving nothing to chance, the Lord Himself had made the seating arrangements.
Following introductions, the two strangers fell into earnest discussion. As often happens, those nearby hushed to eavesdrop because their topic was of universal interest, the Lord Jesus Christ.
The missionary shared the wonderful news that God has come in Christ, and borne mankind's guilt and sin for them.
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Ro. 5:8
and;
Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
Ac. 10:43
The Englishman told of the risen Christ, and how He had come into his own heart, saved him, and sent him to tell the world.
His companion showed polite disinterest.
"I don't believe in your Jesus, I'm a Buddhist, I follow Lord Buddha." he said pointing proudly to a miniature Buddha idol hanging around his neck. The missionary gave him a Gospel tract, and prayed quietly for Jesus to show this precious man the Truth. Satisfied that the Seed had been sown, he left the matter in God's hands.
Are you sowing God's Seed, His Word, the Good News of Christ? Tell it, give it wherever you go, it is the;
Power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.
Ro. 1:16
Don't worry about negative responses, "Just Believe!" I cursed the ones who shared Christ's message with me, and now look.
About a year after the railway journey, the same missionary was chatting with a friend in a Chinese coffee shop. The friend was telling him about an acquaintance suffering from a stroke, and firmly resisting Jesus. At that moment, by coincidence (actually it was not a coincidence, but a 'God-incidence') the man under discussion staggered inside, supported by a crutch on one side, and a lady friend on the other. It was the same man the missionary had spoken to on the train. Both were stunned. The man, at being reminded of his words the year before, and the missionary by the deterioration in the man's appearance. Slumping into a chair, the Buddhist related his story.
Although previously healthy, he had collapsed from a near fatal cerebral stroke. He was just 40 years old. (Did God do this? Please see end note.) In hospital the medics did their best, but he made no progress. He sent for the Buddhist Monks who came and performed their healing rites, chants and rituals.
He deteriorated rapidly, and contemplating his situation he decided to, as he put it, 'try the Christians'. So he discharged himself, and was admitted to a Roman Catholic hospital, but this man didn't know any better. More doctors confirmed the grave prognosis, and Nuns carried out their prescribed religious rites over him. The patient got much worse.
"If I stay here. I'll surely die!" he cried, and went home to be nursed by friends.
He had not walked a step unaided since his stroke. He was gaunt, pale, and 'putting his house in order' when he met the missionary for the second time.
The Christian said,
"Last time we spoke I told you Jesus Christ is God, He loves you so much He bled and died for your sins. He paid all that needs to be paid to set you free from guilt, sin and Satan's power. You told me then that you didn't need Jesus."
Crest-fallen, the man recalled his arrogance in full health. Humbled and shaking, he listened intently this time.
"You've tried Buddha, you've tried 'Christian religion' and simply got worse. Now it's time to turn to The Lord Jesus Christ. Only He can forgive and save you."
The missionary paused.
"Shall we pray?" he invited.
The sick man nodded. They led him in a sincere prayer to receive Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. Immediately his expression changed, he looked up beaming. His sin burden was gone, and he knew it.
Has yours gone? Have you heard God declare you 'Not Guilty!' yet? You can be free of all guilt now
Next they told him that the same Jesus who died bearing his sins, also bore his sicknesses and infirmities.
He took up our infirmities, and carried our diseases.
Mtt. 8:17
"Just as He is Saviour from sin, He is also Healer of your body."
He nodded his understanding, and prayed for healing. The Christians layed hands on him believing God for a miracle.
After they prayed the missionary said,
"Now get up and RUN in Jesus' Name."
The man looked at him as if he were crazy. He couldn't even stand up without a crutch, and now he was being commanded to run. Without waiting for a reply, he pulled the man to his feet, and launched him around the coffee shop declaring,
"Run in Jesus' Name!"
Leaning on the missionary's arm, at first he took faltering steps, then gained vigor and strength walking faster and faster. The Christians urged him on. Soon he was literally running around the car park unaided, then down the street laughing and rejoicing.
He'd received the double cure; forgiveness of sins and healing for his body.
What Buddhism and religion couldn't do, Jesus Christ did in an instant.
Are you sick or infirm? Learn from this man's miracle. Do what he did and Jesus will Save and Heal you today. But even more important than healing, is salvation from sin. Has the Lord Jesus Christ saved you yet?
Make Sure Now
You may attend church, and hold to doctrines, but have you been genuinely born of God yet? There's a big difference between following a doctrine or a religion, (even Christian religion), and following Jesus.
Note:
Buddhists are lovely. Some of the kindest gentlest people we've met were followers of Buddha's teachings. We live amongst them and love them dearly. We love them enough to tell them the Truth. We ask them humbly to turn from idols to the Living God, The Lord Jesus Christ. Neither Buddha's teachings nor images of stone and metal can save. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can save anyone.
God Hates Idolatry Dt. 32:16 He always has, He always will.
Repent! Turn from your idols and renounce all your detestable practices.
Ez. 14:6
God is not a man, ... that he should change his mind.
Nu. 23:19
Why is idolatry wrong?
Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs.
Jo. 2:8
Those who worship idols become like them.
Their idols are silver and gold, made by the hands of men. They have mouths, but cannot speak, eyes, but cannot see ... Those who make them become like them, and so will all who trust in them.
Ps. 115:4-8
(See also Jer. 10:14, Is. Chs.44 and 46, Lev. 26:1)
People May Ask:
"Did God inflict this stroke on the man because he rejected Christ, and needed to get his attention?"
No! Definitely not. The stroke was Satan's work, not God's. God makes clear in Acts 10:38 that Jesus went around healing all who were oppressed by the Devil. Sickness is Satan's oppression, not an affliction from God.
God allows people to fall sick when they rebel, and turn away from Him. He has to, because He's given people the choice to trust in Him or not. Those who do not, put themselves outside of His protection, and become vulnerable to sin and Satan.
But God will Save and Heal Anyone who trusts in Jesus and follows Him.
