In our search for the places where we have holes in our doctrine and practice of divine healing, we’ve come a very long way. Now we are talking about the importance of being part of a community of believers. We need each other. I believe that what we are about to look at is the number one issue in our modern faith-world that prevents us from enjoying the full benefit of what God wants for us. That issue is covering one another in covenant based prayer. Notice my friend Epaphras:
Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.
Colossians 4:12 NIV
In this verse, Paul shows us several things that will help us in our passion to see others whole:
- There is power in connection. Paul specifically says that Epaphras is “one of you.”
- There is a prayer that is ongoing. Paul used the term pántote (Gr.) It means always or ever. This guy was constantly praying for the people in his home church.
- There is a prayer that requires effort. Paul used the word agōnízomai (Gr.). As used here it implies a struggle or a fight of some kind.
Until we realize that this is more than a Sunday morning nod to God and get serious about fighting for one another, we will continue to live in our western religious bubble, where we learn to be nicer people and not to live as the people of God, the manifestation of the sons of God. This kind of Christianity is not for the faint-hearted, but it will be worth the effort.
For the print version of today’s teaching, click here.
For the complete list of Healing Help videos click here.
pastorvirgil.com 