Cur ita?/Why is it thus?

Prayers, Thoughts, Opinions, and Writings from a restless mind.

Does Faith Prevent Disease?

Posted by G. Justin Uselton on June 2, 2020
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

Does faith prevent disease? Well, the answers you get to that question depends on whom you ask. Opinions vary according to one’s understanding of the subject and the individual’s ability to look at the available evidence objectively.

If one says that faith does not prevent disease, he is subconsciously labeled a heretic and blasphemer by those who believe otherwise. Such a one must be prepared to be challenged by all the miraculous stories of those who, by faith, stubbornly declared that faith would hold off disease and, magically managed to miss out on the seasonal allergies that everyone else succumbed to that particular year.

He might be made to marvel at the miracle of the individual who diagnosed themselves with some incurable disease, but never went to the doctor for an expert opinion, and is now still alive and well. Such miracles are as hard to disprove as they are to prove, and so they can only be argued to no reliable conclusion.

On the other hand if one argues that faith prevents disease he immediately has exceptions to his theory that he must be ready to explain with sound evidence, for it can be demonstrated with certainty that some who have been considered by their peers as people of great and extraordinary faith have been taken down, and out by disease.

The preventative faith proponents have a tough choice to make when asked to defend their beliefs. They must be prepared to admit that their assertions are not provable and that many examples seem to contradict their belief; or be prepared to disavow and cast dispersion upon all who succumb to illness, judging them as weak christians, pretenders, or hypocrites.

This last option would lead the sane person to reject their argument, simply because there are some pretty big names in Scripture, and religious circles that they will have to cut down to size in the attempt to prop up their defense of their preventative faith theory. But thankfully (for them) their is a third option which most opt for, and that is the painful admission that their assertions are not born-out in every case, but “nevertheless” they say “I believe it is true.”

It is incredible how many sincere believers believe that faith is a preventative against illness. Can we make faith do whatever we want it to do by simply convincing ourselves that something is true, whether it is or not? Or does faith have preset realms and boundaries in which it functions, limits which no amount of delusional thinking can erase?

Did Job have a faith problem, why was he sick? The quick answer will be, “that was a unique case in which God was testing Job.” Such an answer introduces a new factor into the discussion that muddies the water, perhaps. However, if allowed, it still does not provide an adequate explanation. If preventative faith proponents may introduce unique circumstances, then so can their opponents. How then do you know if God is testing you or not?

Are you prepared to believe that faith protects you from illness until it doesn’t? Then in disappointment and confusion, finally concluded that this is a test? In the case of Job, the disease did not kill him or become chronic and when the trial was over God restored his health completely. Therefore as it pertains to chronic or terminal illness, their theory is still unexplainable.

Faith is treated by many like a kid whose parents hope will behave himself. However, when he does not, the parent makes excuse for him, attributing his tantrum to not feeling well, being tired, hungry, or a tummy- ache that know no-one can prove or disprove.


I do not believe Scripture teaches that faith is tricky or unpredictable. If we understand faith and its uses correctly, the results should be consistent. Jesus and the apostles never attempted to heal someone, or raise the dead only to find out that faith just wasn’t in the mood for it at that time, or that (to their severe embarrassment) faith had decided to play one of its tricks.

The avenues that branch off from this subject are so numerous that an exhaustive discussion is impossible here. I offer this article in hopes that it might cause the reader to ask himself some honest questions and set him on a sincere search for authentic faith as taught in the Scriptures.

Hands Raised in Praise Not Protest

Posted by G. Justin Uselton on June 1, 2020
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

Have you ever looked at a crowd of protester’s and wondered how many individuals in that mob claimed to be believers in Christ? Have you ever thought “I wonder if there are any believers in this group? If so how animated are they in worship?”

Do you think that any believers (if there are any) in this crowd would raise their hands in worship to the Almighty in a church service? There is a fundamental difference in protest and worship, and those who raise their hands in participation of one rarely raises those same hands in participation of the other.

I am not suggesting that there is no believers, or church going folk in these crowds, in fact I assert that there are. But, I have a suspicion that those who raise their hands in protest are as silent and still at a worship service as any corpse to be seen in a morgue. The difference between praise and protest lie in the motive that drives the protestor or praiser.

People who protest do so out of a sense of entitlement, self-will, anger, and pride. Protest center around the protestor’s self-will, it is all about what they want. Praise is not about the praiser at all, but is in fact about the object of the praise which should be Christ.

Protest is the exercise and demonstration of aggression whereas praise is the humble surrendering of ones own will to Christ. And I suggest that those who raise their hands often in praise will rarely if ever raise their hands in protest.

Protest was not the way of the Master, “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:” 1 Peter 2:23.

On Lamentation 3:21-23

Posted by G. Justin Uselton on May 31, 2020
Posted in: Uncategorized. Tagged: God, Mercy, Sin. Leave a comment

This scripture seems to explain at least one of the reasons that the Lord is merciful and long-suffering, and that reason is he never carries his wrath from yesterday into today.

He starts with fresh and new approach every day in his dispensation of mercy; not letting past sins be factored into his decision to extend mercy. He judges each of us on the merits of today!

And to this agree the scriptures, for if we are admonished in Ephesians 4:26 to not carry our anger into the nighttime (realizing that the Holy Spirit moved upon Paul to write that word) then I believe that God certainly deals with his anger and wrath in this exact fashion.

Of course this does not mean that God forgets about our sins at the end of each day; but it simply means that God does not withhold mercy from us today because he is still angry about our sins from yesterday!

Lord, great is this truth! For this I give you praise that even though you are angry with sin every day; I may still receive mercy today. Truly this is a marvel of your love and righteousness! Amen

On Matthew 19:26

Posted by G. Justin Uselton on December 6, 2013
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

 

 

God does not work in the realm of probable, but possible! All things are possible, but not probable.

If you believe in the unlimited power of God, then there is no impossibilities! It was not probable that the Red sea would split, but it did because it was possible for God to part it!

It certainly was not probable that Daniel would survive a full night in the lion’s den, but he did! The three Hebrew boys did not have probability on their side when they entered the furnace of fire, however they did come out unharmed.

God does not weigh out the probabilities before he grants miracles; he sees needs and meets them because it is possible for him to do so!

Father thank you for being all-powerful! Let me have ever increasing faith in you and your love. You meet our needs without considering any other factors; and when you move the powers that be to come to our rescue there is nothing that can hinder! Thank you! Amen

On Psalm 46:10

Posted by G. Justin Uselton on December 6, 2013
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

 

“Be still and know”…. O how many things are left unknown because we are not willing to be still!

Waiting takes patience and faith; for many times it seems that waiting will ultimately lead to ruin whereas prompt action might advert catastrophe. And perhaps if we are relying upon ourselves that is true, but with God time is not a factor!

He is able to erase the effects of years of famine, drought, and disease with just a word from his mouth. The God of the Bible is not limited! He is able to work wonders so great that sorrows from yesterday immediately are forgotten and tears of sorrow change into tears of joy!

Lord may I never doubt your ability. Forgive me for ever time that I have believed that my action was the only way out of trouble; help me to truly be still. That I might see your glory even in adversity! Amen

 

On Colossians 1:13

Posted by G. Justin Uselton on December 6, 2013
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

 

The Father delivered us through the sacrifice of his Son, not as one would pay a debt, but as a conquering King by the overwhelming power of love.

We may clearly here, “Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us…” (1 John 3:1)

Pitying love, sacrificial love, delivering love, and translating love.

O, wretched soul by sin held fast; thanks unto God I’m free at last!

Lord, may I never lose sight of your love. May I never doubt it, forget it, discount it, or get over it! Let me every day this love so clearly see, that I should never lose sight of thee! Amen

On 2Corinthians 4:7

Posted by G. Justin Uselton on December 6, 2013
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

 

This Scripture tells us why God chooses to anoint men and women to preach, teach, as well as any other acts inspired and used by God to the edification of mankind.

He places in these imperfect, uncomely, and sometimes fractured vessels an anointing so great that in all honesty it should destroy us (see Matt.9:17 Mark 2:22 Luke 5:37).

However this miraculous preservation of the vessel (because of the treasure that is housed inside it) serves to prove not the glory of the vessel, but the value of the treasure! Because of the treasure, the jar is not broken, and the bush is not consumed!

Dear God, I thank you for the treasure, and I also thank you that you have chosen to place it inside my weak and worthless vessel. May I never value my vessel over your treasure! Let me never think that the value is in myself; may the excellency of the treasure be clearly seen through me. Amen

 

Following Christ

Posted by G. Justin Uselton on December 6, 2013
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

 

Disciples must be disciplined in the art of following! If one would be like the Master he must be willing to pursue perfection by striving to imitate the one who inspires him to be other than he is.

It is not enough to say I will follow, for following can be done haphazardly in a general direction, but to perfectly follow one must strive to place his feet in the Masters footprint with each step!

This requires deliberate action on the part of the disciple; slowing or quickening the pace as is required, waiting at times, always alert lest he lose sight of Christ. For fresh tracks are the easiest and surest when in pursuit!

 

On Genesis 19:11

Posted by G. Justin Uselton on December 6, 2013
Posted in: Uncategorized. Leave a comment

This scripture shows us a snapshot of the current state in which man resides. It is a state of perpetual blindness; a blindness that drives, a blindness that dissolves, drains, and destroys!

Blindness was a fast progressing disease in Sodom, the population of Sodom had long lost their moral vision; in reality the loss of their natural eyesight was one of three last stages of this terrible plague.

The next to last stage of this disease was the loss of their physical strength and then the final stage was the loss of their life and ultimately their soul.

Sodom was a breeding ground for this devastating epidemic; as is shown in the story of Lot that he too was suffering from blindness of the moral kind; so blind in fact that he offered his two virgin daughters to this blind mob for their sexual gratification.

Thus causing Christ to say of Israel in particular and of all men generally; “seeing they see not.” (Matthew 13:13)

Lord, take away this blindness from me that I might see you, others, and myself clearly. Allow me to view with clarity and discernment the things around me; bring into sharp focus your view for me to share and live by so that I will not be driven by illusions, delusions, or desires; but by your word and will. Amen

Posts navigation

  • Recent Posts

    • Does Faith Prevent Disease?
    • Hands Raised in Praise Not Protest
    • On Lamentation 3:21-23
    • On Matthew 19:26
    • On Psalm 46:10
  • Recent Comments

  • Archives

    • June 2020
    • May 2020
    • December 2013
  • Categories

    • Uncategorized
  • Meta

    • Register
    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.com
Website Powered by WordPress.com.
Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy