THE SPIRITUAL DIVINE HEALING PROGRAM

Healing of physical infirmity is not the thing of paramount importance in the life of a well-balanced Christian. God’s Word tells us of a spiritual healing program that far excels in importance any physical healing program. In Jesus’ day those healed only physically actually had but little benefit—for just a few short years. But those who were healed spiritually by means of faith, knowledge and dedication to do God’s will had the promise: “This is the will of my Father, that everyone that beholds the Son and exercises faith in him should have everlasting life, and I should resurrect him at the last day.”—John 6:40, NW.

Yes, today a spiritual divine healing program is in progress. As a result of preaching the good news of Jehovah’s kingdom hundreds of thousands are being given spiritual health that far exceeds the felicity of any physical well-being. The knowledge of who Jehovah is, what his purposes are and why he has permitted evil, the realization that Christ died for our sins, the hope of blessings of a new world so near at hand, bring peace of mind, comfort and joy of heart. They cause one to dedicate himself to Jehovah and bring one into the New World society, all of whose members are likewise dedicated to Jehovah, heeding the two great commandments to love Jehovah with all one’s heart, mind, soul and strength, and one’s neighbor as oneself.

This spiritual healing program was long ago foretold: “Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then shall the lame man leap like a hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing for joy.” “And no inhabitant will say, ‘I am sick’; the people who dwell there will be forgiven their iniquity.” “Behold, I will bring to it health and healing, and I will heal them and reveal to them abundance of prosperity and security.”—Isa. 35:5, 6; 33:24; Jer. 33:6, RS.

The foregoing promises are limited to the spiritual healing program now taking place, but they give assurance of a literal physical and mental healing in the near future, in the new earth of a new world in which righteousness will dwell. Of that new world it is written: “And he will wipe out every tear from their eyes, and death will be no more, neither will mourning nor outcry nor pain be any more.”—Rev. 21:4, NW.

What Jehovah purposes he will accomplish, and so his original purpose to have the earth filled with a perfect race of healthy, happy human creatures, dwelling in peace and unity and worshiping only him, will yet be realized. Until that time Christians will content themselves with spiritual health and such physical health as they can have by exercising self-control and by using such remedial measures as are consistent with the Scriptures and soundness of mind. At the same time they will do all they can to bring to the attention of others the spiritual divine healing program with its hopes of blessings in the new world.

Observe the Sabbath?

● Do you think a Christian must keep the sabbath? Many people do, but did you know that the Bible does not agree? Not only does Galatians 4:9, 10 (NW) say of those who are “scrupulously observing days and months and seasons and years,” “you are turning back again to the weak and inadequate elementary things,” but Colossians 2:16 (NW) says: “Let no man judge you in eating and drinking or in respect of a feast day or of an observance of the new moon or of a sabbath.”