The Bible warns against sin and darkness, but that is not the main theme of the book. Our main task is not to curse the darkness, but to be the light of the world. Too often Christians just condemn what they believe is wrong. We also need to do what we know is right. The Gospel is good news for everybody - for the sick as well. The church was meant to be a power station for healing and deliverance to suffering people. The New Age movement is nothing but a false answer to the flagrant sufferings of the world and the reluctance to seek spiritual gifts in the church. Our calling is not to be a religious institution. The church is called to be the body of the Lord.

The Ministry of Jesus
When Jesus came to earth, He revealed the heart of God. When Jesus healed the sick, He showed God's compassion for the suffering. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees and religious leaders, but He never condemned the suffering people. When Peter summarized the ministry of Jesus, he explained "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him" (Acts 10.38). The four gospels are filled with testimonies about the healing ministry of Jesus. And the book of Acts tells about Christians continuing the ministry as His body in the world. They were a living testimony that "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever" (Heb 13.8).

The Atonement of Jesus
When Jesus died on the cross, He carried our sins and diseases (Isaiah 53.4-5). This does not mean that all suffering and disease have disappeared from the world. But He has opened the way to our Heavenly Father. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need" (Heb 4.16). We can seek divine healing because of the atonement of Jesus, and the gifts of the Spirit are instruments by which He wants to impart encouragement and power to heal the sick and suffering.

Teaching and Practicing the Word of God
The Bible has a lot to say about divine healing. The church fails to fulfill its calling if we do not teach and preach these truths. The apostle Paul "kept back nothing that was helpful" when he proclaimed the Word to the believers (Acts 20.20), neither should we fail to teach and practice what Jesus has called us to do. When Jesus gave the Great Commission, He commanded us to "observe all the things" that He had commanded us (Matt 28.20). His commandments are not a new law. He commanded His disciples to continue His own ministry on earth by the power of His Spirit. The church is called to be "a pillar and ground of the truth" (1 Tim 3.15), but we are not called to be a theological or religious institution.

Followers of Jesus
It is of utmost importance that we become followers of Christ. Jesus did not ask us to build impressive ministries or great cathedrals. He commanded us to "make disciples of all the nations" (Matt 28.18). A disciple is not merely a believer, Jesus says that a disciple "who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher" (Luke 6.40). Our calling is to be like Jesus. He is our Teacher and our Model. He has shown us how God is. When Jesus saw the multitudes, "He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick" (Matt 14.14). He calls us to have the same compassion, and He will give us the same power to heal the sick.

Desire Spiritual Gifts
Most Christians want to be used by God. Many even want to have the gifts of the Spirit. But the Bible uses the word desire when it comes to spiritual gifts (1 Cor 14.1). The Greek word translated desire means "to be zealous for, to burn with desire, to pursue ardently, do desire eagerly or intensely" (1). It is not a question just about being open to charismatic gifts, God wants us to cry out for His power and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. He wants us to seek these treasures more than gold. The world is filled with counterfeit spirituality, but God wants His people to have the real power. When we see the needs of the world and are willing to be used by God, He will pour out His Spirit.

Faith Working through Love
When the disciples of Jesus failed to heal an epileptic boy, He rebuked them because of their unbelief (Matt 17.17). But Jesus never ever blamed the sick when they did not get healed. As His disciples we must embrace His Word about divine healing. Leaders and preachers have a special responsibility for "rightly dividing the word of truth" (2 Tim 2.15) and seeking to impart the healing power of God. But the power is not limited to leaders and preachers. Jesus said that these signs will follow "those who believe" (Mark 16.17). We may all be believers, and we may all be channels for the love and power of God. What we really need is "faith working through love" (Gal 5.6). The church of God was meant to be a place where people meet the love and power of Jesus. When His church is filled with love, even the sick and suffering will know that they are surrounded by His love. Not everybody will get healed at once. But love was meant to be the trade mark of His church. Jesus said: "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another" (John 13.35).

Recommended Reading:

Power Healing, John Wimber with Kevin Springer, 1991 Harper San Francisco.
The Surpassing Greatness of His Power, Rick Joyner, 1996 Morning Star Publications.

Referencea:

1. Spirit Filled Life Bible, Word Wealth 1 Cor 14.1, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.

All Scripture references are from the New King James Version, © 1979, 1980, 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.