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Written by Larry Ollison

It has always amazed me how physical healing has been a controversial subject within the Church. While almost every Christian denomination claims to believe that God is the healer, and while every Christian I have ever known has prayed for healing when they got sick, it still seems to be a misunderstood topic.

Church has always been important in my family. I grew up in Kansas City, but because my dad and mom were born and raised in the Ozarks of Missouri, we would spend our summer vacations at the Lake of the Ozarks. Even while on vacation, we never took a vacation from church. Every Sunday, rain or shine, we would get dressed up and travel to the little town of Climax Springs (population 181) and attend the Baptist church. Needless to say, church came first in our family.

While attending church is good, it’s not our attendance that delivers us. Jesus said it was knowing the truth of His Word that would set us free (John 8:32). The purpose of church is to get ourselves equipped with the Word so that we can live the rest of the week in victory (Ephesians 4:11,12).

Jesus Paid the Price for our Healing
Sadly, there are many churches that preach a social gospel based upon what is politically correct and acceptable in their society. While God does want us to live peaceably with all men (Romans 12:18), it is not at the exclusion of believing and receiving His promises for us. Jesus paid the price in full for our healing and the Word teaches us that it is God’s will that we be healed (Matt. 8:16,17). All through the scriptures we find where God is the one who heals us (Ps. 103:3). Jesus said He only did what the Father told Him to do (John 5:19; John 12:49-50), and what did Jesus do? He went throughout all the villages of Israel, the Galilee, Judea, and Samaria healing all who were afflicted with various diseases (Matt. 4:23; Matt. 9:35). His fame even stretched throughout all Syria and they brought to Him their sick and those who were epileptics and paralytics and demon-possessed and He healed them all (Matt. 4:24).

Even though the Bible is very clear about the healing power of God (with hundreds of references), there are many good church-attending people who unknowingly pray prayers of doubt and unbelief, instead of claiming the promise God has placed before them and receiving with boldness the blessing that has not only been promised, but has been paid for in full.

When the woman with the issue of blood approached Jesus, she did not say, “I sure hope I can be healed.” She didn’t say, “Lord, heal me if it be Your will.” She said, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well” (Matt. 9:21). Jesus turned to her and said, “Daughter, your faith has made you well,” and the Scripture says she was healed that very hour (Matt. 9:22). Her healing was not based upon her giving or her synagogue attendance. Although these things are very important, they were not the focus or the reason Jesus said she was healed. He very clearly said it was her faith. What was the evidence of her faith? First, she heard the Word that Jesus healed (Romans 10:17). Secondly, she believed it. Thirdly, she confessed that she would be healed. And fourth, she acted upon what she believed and spoke, and the result was Jesus saw her living faith and said, “Your faith has made you well.”

How do we get faith? Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Where do we hear the Word of God? At a church that teaches the Word and lifts it higher than anything else (Psalm 138:2). The church building can be used for many things socially, but the number one purpose is for the gathering of believers to hear the Word so they can be built up in faith and receive the blessing of God.

If you need healing in your body, whether it’s minor or major, God’s will is to heal you. The source of your healing is the Word. And the source for the Word should be the house of God.

Find scriptures on healing and meditate on them. Let the Word saturate your heart so that you know the price of healing has been paid and you know that God wants you well and then make the confession and receive your healing.