When Christians Get Sick
Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 1 Timothy 5:23
Paul did not instruct Timothy to get drunk so his problems would not seem so bad. His instructions were medical in nature. “Timothy,” He said, “It’s the water. Stop drinking nothing but water. Drink a little wine. It will help your stomach trouble and the other illnesses you always have”
This paper is not about Paul’s medical advice, but about Timothy’s illness. It is about the fact that Timothy was “FREQUENTLY SICK ”
All of us have had times when we were sick, and a day will come when we will have one final illness. That final illness may last for moments, weeks, or perhaps years, but we will all have one final illness and die. Here is some advice for you when you get sick.
Be Careful Not to be Turned Away From “The Main Thing.”
Jesus made it abundantly clear what our “Main Thing” should be. Here is what He said:
“All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen Matthew 28:18-20
Telling others about Jesus is "The Main Thing", but the Gospel is not the main concern of those who are outside of Christ. People who do not know our Lord have two other things which they think are much more important.
(1) Money (2) Health
If you are in a church, or following a minister whose main subject is one of these two; run as fast as you can to get away. Money and Health are NOT the main subjects of The Lord’s Church. True Churches have one and only one main subject and it is the subject of “Jesus Christ.” We are commanded to preach about WHO JESUS IS, AND WHAT HE HAS DONE TO FREE SINNERS FROM THEIR SINS.
When you are sick, you will probably have the opportunity to meet people that you would have never met when you were well. Take that time to do what you have been chosen to do. Tell them about your Savior; Tell them about The Cross.
Don’t Let Anyone Tell You That The Christian Life Is a Life Without Pain, Sickness, or Tears.
Timothy is described as a man who was frequently sick. If you hear someone say that the Christian life is a life without sickness, remind them of Timothy. Timothy was a grand Christian gentleman, and still he was “frequently sick.” Anyone who preaches that “good” Christians live above sickness is a “False Prophet.”
Don’t Believe Everything You Read and/or Hear.
There are books and magazines in circulation these days that are filled with “testimonies” of people being healed. - Some Are True, But Some Are Not.
We believe in a God who CAN and DOES work miracles, BUT miracles are not the “norm.” If miracles were the normal way that God dealt with sickness we would not call them “miracles.”
When Paul wrote to Timothy he inserted a note about Timothy’s sickness. Paul did NOT tell Timothy to rush to the nearest “Healing Crusade.” Paul did NOT say “Timothy, if you had more faith you would not be sick.” Paul did NOT even tell Timothy to call for the deacons. What he told him was “Take your medicine.”
Health teaches us some lessons, but “sickness” can teach us even more. Pride, for example, is often found in those who are healthy, but Humility is best learned in the sickbed.
When Sickness Visits Your Family Remain Calm and Faithful
At Christian weddings the bride and groom are require to promise: “ I Will Be Faithful To You In Sickness As Well As In Health.”
If you should happen to come down with a serious illness; will you remain faithful to your Lord? Will you continue to pray, read your Bible, and tell others about Him? Will you be faithful to look up from the sickbed and say, “Lord, I will continue to serve You no matter what.”
Remember, sickness is common to us all. When it visits your family remain CALM and FAITHFUL
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One of the main doctrines of Christianity is “Resurrection.” Jesus taught us that a day is coming when ALL who lie in the graves will be raised. For the Christian, “resurrection” means “Everything is New”
On this side of the resurrection we suffer pain, disappointment, sickness, and death. On the other side, Christians will leave all suffering behind forever.
Are you a Christian? Do you know The Lord Jesus Christ? Do you understand His call to repent and believe the Gospel? Ask your Christian friend to tell you more about Jesus and how to come into His family.
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