HEALED FOR HELL?

“Remember, now, you have been cured. Give up your sins so that something worse may not overtake you.” —John 5:14

Fr. Al Lauer, founder and long-time author of One Bread, One Body, preached often on healing. One of his frequent exhortations during healing services was: “God heals you for service in His Kingdom. He didn’t heal you so you could be the healthiest person in hell!”

Father Al often referred to St. Peter’s mother-in-law as the model of one who received healing. She was suffering from a fever (Mk 1:30). Jesus healed her, and immediately she got up and began to wait on Jesus and the apostles (Mk 1:31). That’s the goal: to be healed from our physical and spiritual infirmities, and to be healed for service (Eph 2:10), evangelization (Rm 1:5), worship, and a life of holiness (Eph 1:4).

A man had been infirm for thirty-eight years. Jesus healed him and then exhorted him to give up his sins so that nothing “worse” would happen to him (Jn 5:14). There is something worse than thirty-eight years of being bedridden: a life of sin and an eternity in hell.

Jesus’ healing is both spiritual and physical. He doesn’t heal halfway. Therefore, “give up your sins” (Jn 5:14). Let Jesus touch you with His healing love for a life of service in His kingdom.

Prayer: Jesus, use me to lead thousands of people to receive Your healing and to spend their lives in Your service.

Promise: “God is our Refuge and our Strength, an ever-present help in distress. Therefore we fear not.” —Ps 46:2-3

Praise: Because of her faith in the risen Jesus, Margaret was able to grow in holiness after the unexpected death of her husband.