When it comes to bodily healing, people usually don’t doubt God’s power to heal. People never ask the question: CAN God heal? The question is usually: WILL God heal?
The doubt is in God’s WILLINGNESS (not His ability) to heal the sick. Some have opined that there are times God might not be willing to heal the sick. Our every belief must be tested against God’s Word.
Recall that Jesus is the revelation of God to us (Heb 1:1-3). He explains God’s character to man. In His words and actions would be found a revelation of God’s logic (how He reasons and consequently acts).
Luke 5 provides much insight in this regard.
Luke 5:12-13 (NKJV)
12 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, “Lord, IF YOU ARE WILLING, You can make me clean.” 13 Then He (God in the flesh) put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I AM WILLING; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him.
Hallelujah! So Jesus (Who is God Incarnate) FOREVER settles our doubts; “I AM WILLING” is God’s declaration to those seeking healing.
The word “willing” translates the Greek verb “theló” (θέλω). It means to be strongly resolved and determined; to take delight and have pleasure in.
“Theló” (θέλω) is not just a mere wish or desire but also a willingness to act. So Jesus is, in essence, saying, “I am determined to heal your bodily sickness. I am willing to act to cure your ills, I am strongly resolved to do something about your sickness.” It is God’s delight to heal!
This is why Jesus can be found healing the sick ALL THE TIME throughout the Four Gospels.
Matthew 4:23-24 (NKJV)
23 And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and HEALING ALL KINDS OF SICKNESS and ALL KINDS OF DISEASE among the people. 24 Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him ALL SICK PEOPLE who WERE AFFLICTED with VARIOUS DISEASES and TORMENTS, and those who were demon-possessed, EPILEPTICS, and PARALYTICS; and HE HEALED THEM.
Notice He didn’t give any conditions before He healed them. He didn’t say “I will only heal those who haven’t sinned.” No, He healed ALL kinds of sick people, as many as came to Him for healing.
Nearly one-fifth of the Four Gospels describe Jesus’ healing ministry (that is, about 727 verses of their 3,779 verses). This shows how much priority He gave to healing sick bodies.
Interestingly, the same word “willing” used in Luke 5:13 also appears in 1 Timothy 2, where Paul speaks concerning salvation.
1 Timothy 2:3-4 (NKJV)
3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who DESIRES all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
The word “desires” (vs. 4) is that SAME Greek word “theló” (θέλω) Jesus used when He told the leper, “I am willing” (Luke 5:13)—the SAME WORD used for healing is used here for salvation! This has tremendous implications.
It means that God takes healing our bodies just as seriously as He takes saving the lost—it’s the SAME desire! God doesn’t want to save the sinner more than He wants to heal the sick. He wants both equally! God hates sickness just as much as He hates sin, because both are destroying the man He loves!
So to the question, “When will God not heal?” The answer is NEVER. His will is to heal the sick, all of the time!
© Josh Banks Ministries. 2022.
