“WITH HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED”

Have You been Healed from Your Sins?

© 2019 by Tom Boynton (editing by Kathy Boynton)

Some of my fellow Christians believe this quote guarantees that, through faith, they can be free of all physical disease.  The corollary to this conclusion is that any Christian, suffering from disease, has inadequate faith.  After all, weren’t the horrible stripes laid on Christ more than sufficient to provide this guarantee?

Perhaps in answering this question, it would be wise to consider these words in context.

“ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.  But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.  All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:4-6)

Notice that the context, here, speaks of our transgressions and iniquities (sins).  The Lord Jesus Christ didn’t come to deliver His people from physical ailments in this life.  He came to deliver His people from their sins.  This is a far more wonderful and eternal accomplishment.  Speaking of the baby Jesus to whom Mary would soon give birth, the angel explained, to Joseph, the purpose of Jesus’ coming.

“And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

It is interesting to notice that, in this life, God sometimes withholds physical healing from His people according to His own sovereign purposes.  Paul the apostle experienced this.

“And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.  For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.  And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” (2 Corinthians 12:7-9)

In eternity, Christ’s redeemed shall be free of disease, forever.  More importantly, we shall be free of the sins for which He bore those stripes!

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