THE FEAST OF UNLEAVENED BREAD

The Feast of Unleavened Bread (Leviticus 23:6-8) follows immediately after the Passover - the next step toward the fulfillent of God's master plan for mankind. During the time of Christ, this seven-day feast was sometime called the Feast of Passover because of the proximity to the Passover. The purpose of the Holy Day is to stress the importance of removing sin from our lives. It first started out when God freed the Israelites from slavery in Egypt under the leadership of Moses. God told His people that 'Seven days shall ye eat unleavened bread' - Exodus 12:5. Since being driven out of Egypt, the Israelites neither had the time nor the provisions to bake leavened bread. Although they were instructed to do so for seven days as a symbolism, God's commandment is for His people to do so as an ordinance forever (Exodus 12:17).

Many presumed that the Feast of Unleavened Bread is meant for the Israelites of Old since Christ has "nailed the commandments to the cross". But nothing is further from the truth. Christ Himself kept the feast as a child and as an adult (Matt 26:17; Luke 2:41), and so did the early church during the time of the Apostle Paul. In fact, he instructed the Corinthian church to keep  the ordinances, as I delivered them to you (1 Cor 5:6-8; 11: 1-2)

In one occasion, Christ taught His disciples about the leaven in the bread. After performing two miracles on feeding the thousands with a few fish and loaves of bread, the disciples and Christ had gone around on the other side of the Sea of Galilee, they forgot to bring bread with them. Then Jesus said to them, 'Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.' - Matt 16:6. Christ's disciples thought that He was referring to the lack of bread. But the Lord used the incident to teach them to beware of the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees (Matt 16:12)  and not the leaven in the bread per se. For many religious figures in those days appear honourable but are wolves in sheep's clothings!

The main purpose of keeping this Feast is the spiritual intent - that believers through proper understanding and God's help must expel and avoid sin. True believers must take stock of our attitude and behaviour through soul searching and reflection and seek God to help us overcome our shortcomings (2 Cor 13:5). The seven day Feast is a time for self examination and reflection to help us get back on track in our walk with God. The ancient Israelites were delivered from enslavement to Egypt and so we ought to be delivered from our enslavement to sin (Rom 6:12-18).

Not only Christ observed all the Festivals, so did the Apostle Paul whose ministry showed an importance to observance of the Holy Days in his missionary itinerary. He arranged his travel schedule to accomodate the Feast of Pentecost (Acts 20:16; 1 Cor 16:8). He told the Ephesians, 'I must by all means keep this feast that cometh in Jerusalem' - Acts 18:21. In Acts 20:6, it was recorded that Paul remained in Philippi to clebrate the week-long Festival of Unleavened Bread and set sail to Jerusalem after that. Paul and the other apostles taught a consistent message of Christian's obligation to observe the celebration of God's Holy Days in the footstep of Christ. It is necessary for Christians to observe them today (1 Cor 5:7-8).





 

THE PASSOVER

There are seven steps in God's Master Plan of Salvation for mankind. In Scriptures, seven denotes completeness and perfection with a total of seven vital steps to fulfilling God's Master Plan. First on the list is the Passover to be observed by all true believers for all times with an annual feast celebration. "These are the feasts of the Lord, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim in their seasons. In the fourteenth day of the first month at even is the Lord's passover" (Leviticus 23:4-5). Passover is the first feast and it precedes the First Day of Unleavened Bread. A Holy Day is a feast day for a convocation of God's people to accompany with an offering for which no servile work is to be done.

Christ's death at the cross was the fulfillment of the first step on God's Master Plan of Salvation for mankind. Much more work needs to be done by those whom God has called - like the preaching of the Gospel of the kingdom of God and equipping the saints now for greater tasks ahead when He returns to set up the kingdom of God on earth. When Christ said 'It is finished ' - John 19:30, He meant His role as the sin offering for mankind has been accomplished. He had finished His part of God's Master Plan whom the Heavenly Father had commissioned Him to do (John 17:4). But the work for those whom He had called to form the church has just then begun! His sacrificial death (and subsequent resurrection) made possible for all the other six steps to follow thereafter.

The Passover is significant because without the death of Christ - perfect and without sin - mankind has no hope of salvation. This was foreordained by God the Father before the foundation of the world - 1 Peter 1:18-20. Those who are called of God are covered by the Blood of Christ and the death penalty for their sins are done away with. The rest of mankind will have their chance of salvation when Christ returns to set up the kingdom of God on earth. During the time of Moses, who was called upon by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt, the command to smear the lamb's blood on the doorposts for the angel of death to pass over the house is a forerunner of the Lamb of God (Jesus Christ) to come to take away the sin of the world.

Christ's parents kept the Passover feast and so did He, even as a Child (Luke 2:41-42). As an adult, Christ kept the Passover feast (John 2:13, 23) and also together with His disciples (Mark 14:16; Luke 22:14-16). In John 13:1-17, Christ washes the feet of His disciples, setting an ordinance for all who are called into His true church to follow -'For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you' (John 13:15). As foot washing is usually done by the lowest of servants, it is a symbol of denial of self importance and to strip oneself of pride. For whosoever is humbled shall be exalted in the life to come! The purpose is to develop the disciple to have the right attitude of humility and strength of character in the 'give way of life' through serving others.

The memorial of Christ's death is to be observed on an annual basis, as it is done in rememberance of Him (1 Cor 11:25-26). The Greek word 'pascha' in Acts 12:4 was mistranslated as 'Easter' when it was correctly translated as Passover  in 25 other instances in the New Testament. Scriptures show that Christ and His disciples observed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month and so do all of His true disciples down the centuries as church history bears testament to this fact. Polycarp, the trusted disciple of the Apostle John refused to compromise on the observance of the commanded feast of God, and so do Polycarp's disciple Polycrates, all observing the rule of faith.

THE FAMILY OF GOD

The Heavenly Father has a Master Plan to expand His Family. Mortal human beings are born into the physical family and after death be born again as immortal spirit beings into The Family of God - if they qualify. The pre-requisite is that they must abide in Christ through obedience to His teachings and gain the spiritual character of Christlikeness in order to be given power and authority with immortality upon resurrection! Only then can they see and enter the kingdom of God ( John 3: 1-8) because flesh and blood (mortal humans) cannot inherit the kingdom of God as it is corrupted and subject to decay and death (1 Cor 15:50).

God has a throne in heaven from which He rules the entire universe with Christ (Isaiah 66:1). When Christians are born again, they enter this governing Family of God as His children. The prophet Daniel understood that the kingdom of God involves literal government, real people and real nations through a series of visions and dreams that God revealed to him with timeline as to when He intends to restore His government on earth (Daniel 2:28-44).

Human beings are created in the image of God, with the potential to become god beings (Psalms 82:6; Micah 4:5; John 10:34), but only if they yield to God and His government - His righteous laws - as man is born a free moral agent to choose right from wrong. However, because of sinful human nature and the influence of Satan, man has to choose to overcome to be partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). God is moulding those whom He calls to be like Christ in order to be born into His Family. Make no mistake, only those who are in the Family of God will qualify to rule and reign the whole earth with Christ who is the first born from the dead. Simply put, human beings are born to develop character, godly character. Whoever is born of God (born again) doth not commit sin (1 John 3:9) because he is made perfect.

Those who are true disciples of Christ will be resurrected by the Spirit of God that dwells in them (Rom 8:11). While man is born the image of the earthy, he shall bear the image of the heavenly (1 Cor 15:49) when begotten of God. While angels are created as ministering spirits to assist the heirs of salvation (Hebrews 1:13-14), they are never offered membership in the Family of God, and that is why Satan is mad with puny flesh and blood human beings. Angels were not made to rule the world to come (Hebrews 2:5) but man is born to have dominion (Gen 1:26) and to rule (Hebrews 2:8). That  in essence is part and parcel of the Gospel of the kingdom of God and its mysteries (Matt 13:11).

God's purpose for creating man is so that man can be born again into the eternal Family of God. It is the ultimate goal of salvation for man as spoken by Christ, 'But seek ye first the kingdom of God (the true Gospel), and his righteousness (the laws of God) and all these things (whatever you really need) shall be added unto you.' - Matt 6:33. Note that Christ is the firstborn from the dead, who is the beginning (Colossians 1:18) meaning that in the time order of events, Christ is the first person to be born again from the resurrection and many more will follow at His return as the secondborn, thirdborn, fourthborn...thousandthborn and so on. This will be so for all true believers from creation (albeit few in numbers before the first advent of Christ) till His return to be resurrected to enter the kingdom of God as members of the God Family. Christ is the first begotten of the dead and the prince (ruler) of the kings (resurrected born again saints) of the earth (Rev 1:5) and the firstborn among many brethren (Rom 8:29) for whom He is not ashamed to call them brethren (Heb 2:11).

The Lord Christ came to earth as a Messenger (Malachi 3:1) to bring the good news (from God the Father) about the coming kingdom of God which will descend upon earth at His return. We are commanded by God to hear Him (meaning His gospel message of the kingdom of God - Luke 9:35). Only those who are born again as immortal spirit being will be able to see and enter into it  (John 3:3 & 5). This is good news because the world is in chaos (more so as it approaches the timeline just before Christ Second Coming) with Satan as the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4). But the coming Millennial Age  (Rev 20:4) will see Satan incarcerated for a thousand years (Rev 20:3) and large majority of mankind will accept Christ for salvation when Satan has been put away. That will be the time when every knee shall bow and very tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord (Phil 2:10-11).

The born again saints will become  god-beings with Christ as the head of the super world-government of God on earth. Christ is the elder brother and they are His brethren (Heb 2:11). They will be given power and authority to help Christ rule and reign on earth (Rev 3:21; 11:15), some as rulers and some as priests (1 Peter 2:9 - royal priesthood). There will be major restoration of all things that are lost to Satan after the fall (Acts 3:21). Much work needs to be done and the great harvest of souls with miracles and healing in the midst of the people (Isaiah chapter 35) who survive the Great Tribulation and the Day of the Lord! The scenario will be somewhat like what Christ did when He instructed His disciples to preach the Gospel of the kingdom of God and heal the sick (Luke 9:1-2; 10:9). But during the Millennium, the born again saints will have the work carved out for them - what a privilege and joy to serve the King of kings and Lord of lords!

God the Heavenly Father is the Head of the Family of God. Marriage and family on earth is a typology of His divine plan - to expand His Family and extend His government over all His creation (Isaiah 9:7). Those who oppose this is fighting against God and in collaboration with Satan seeking to destroy the Family of God - whether they are aware of it or not - for he come to steal, kill and to destroy (John 10:10). The standard set for those whom God has called is high - for they will eventually be judging over even the angels (1 Cor 6:2-3) - that is why many are called but few are chosen (Matt 20:16; 22:14) because many simply do not qualify as they have not attained the spiritual character qualities expected of them (Matt 22:1-14, parable of the wedding feast). The Apostle Paul stressed this vital point three times where he wrote that the unrighteousness (breakers of God's righteous laws) by which he meant the fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, homosexuals, sodomites, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers and extortioners will NOT inherit the kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:9-10; Gal 5:19-21; Eph 5:5). However, for those who overcome the deception of Satan, the lure and snare of societal values and self-centredness, the rewards are incredible -'But it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.' (1Cor 2:9).











 

WHAT IS MEANT BY CALLED?

Traditionally, most of Christiandom believes that all of humanity must be saved now in this church age. Otherwise, it will be too late and all those who are 'lost' will end up burning in eternal hellfire. If this belief is true, then God is on the losing side as Satan has much more 'followers' than the Almighty! The truth of the matter is that such doctrinal belief is false as it is not supported by Scriptures. The Plan of God for salvation of mankind - spelt out in Leviticus 23 - is clear as to the timing of salvation for all of humanity when it will occur towards the last century of the Millennium age when all who have ever life will be resurrected to physical life for judgement and not condemnation  (Ezekiel 37; Matt 11:21-24; John 5: 28-29; Acts 24:15). They will then be given the truth and opportunity to accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour (Acts 4:12) and Christ will then be the Lord of all these lords. Only those who are called in this church age and eventually chosen will be the firstfruits (James 1:18) of God's new creation.

Although all who had never yielded to Christ as their Lord and Saviour are not saved, they are not 'lost' either - they are neither lost nor saved. Their time of salvation is not yet as they are not being called in this age. Many professed Christians believe that they are called by God to serve in this and in that capacity. But this is not what the Scriptures meant. The Apostle Paul stated this succinctly in Romans 8:29-30 thus, 'For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he called, them he also justified; and whom he justified, them he also glorified.'  These tell us that God knew well in advance whom He will call based on foreknowledge - some even while they were still in their mother's womb like prophet Samuel and Jeremiah! Simply put, calling of a believer is initiated by God (John 6:44; 6:65) and one who is called is given to understand the truth of God when he/she reads, listens and sees it. God has predestinate the one He called to be a son in the Family of God who will be given power and authority to preach and reign in the kingdom of God when Christ returns. While on earth, Christ taught His disciples how to obey the gospel of peace (Rom 10:15-16) by coming out of the value system of this world to become God's ambassador of peace to live a 'give way of life' instead of a 'get way of life'.

The verse in John 6:66 tells us that since then, many of Christ 's disciples walked with Him no more. They probably could not figure out how God had to initiate the call before one can become the disciple of Christ. The same could be said of thousands today who mistakenly taught that they had been called of God to go into full-time ministry or into the mission field. But this is not what the calling is all about as it is based on some personal feeling or words spoken from some charismatic leaders or preachers. The truth of this is given by Christ Himself when he told His disciples, 'Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven (God), but to them it is not given... Therefore speak I to them in parables' - Matt 13:11 & 13. Many have heard of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven (God) but have no clue what it meant because the Spirit of God have not illuminated their mind to understand the truth of God. It is something that have to be given of God.

Again, the Apostle Paul wrote that not many wise, not many mighty and noble are called of God (1 Cor 1:26). Instead, God had chosen the foolish and weak things of this world to confound the wise (verse 27). However, there is a warning to those who are called as Paul wrote to the Galatians, 'I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel.'  Some are already preaching another gospel other than the gospel of Christ which is the kingdom of God. It does not mean that those whom God called will automatically qualify for eternal life. They have to prove their allegiance to Christ and obedience to His word before God will give them the Holy Spirit for empowerment (Acts 5:32). Christ also warned in His word, 'For many are called but few are chosen' - Matt 20: 16; 22:14. Many who were called but failed to qualify for eternal life because of disobedience - unless they repented of their sin in time before their physical death or the time of the Great Tribulation, whichever comes first.

Once you understand God's truth, God is calling you and you must act on His word. Begin to study more of His word (continue in my word -John 8:31), and the truth shall make you free - John 8:32. Once God's Holy Spirit begin working in your life, you will begin to learn more and see the truth as it really is. Studying the word of God will be enjoyable and easy to understand as the Spirit illuminates your mind with more truths from the word of God and not from the teachings and traditions of men (Mark 7:7). However, do note that those who are called of God will face trial and tribulation - for we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God (Acts 14:22); For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required (Luke 12:48). In fact, the Lord Christ warned that there will be division even among family members for those who abide in the truth (Luke 12: 51-53) in order to be counted as faithful and wise steward whom his lord shall make ruler over his household (12:42). That is the inheritance of the reward in the eternal kingdom of God for those who obey and abide in Christ.
 

THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST

Most of Christendom today preach a gospel of salvation, a gospel of grace, prosperity gospel, social gospel or a mixture of these variation. The preaching invariably centres on the Person of Christ -the gospel about Christ rather than the Gospel of Christ. However, the Bible is clear in stating the only Gospel that was preached by the prophets of the Old Testament and the same Gospel preached by Christ and His Apostles was the Gospel of the kingdom of God. In the Gospel of Matthew, the phrase kingdom of heaven was used and in others, only the word kingdom was used. These terms are used interchangeably and they mean the same thing - the Gospel that Christ was sent by God the Father to preach to mankind. From the New Testament alone, the term kingdom, kingdom of heaven and kingdom of God was used a total of 136 times.

The Gospel is about the government of God that was lost at the Garden of Eden and need to be restored, among other things - restitution of all things (Acts 3:21). Christ came and qualified through the temptations at the wilderness to dethrone Satan - who is currently the god of this world (2 Cor 4:4) - and become King when He returns. But religious people misunderstood the signs thinking that His first advent was to overthrow the Roman authorities. Fearing for their own safety on guilt of treason and vested interest under Roman rule (the religious figures are kind of civil servants under Roman government) the religious rulers hatch a plan to get Christ crucified! Subsequently, the Roman emperors beginning with Constantine, refused to accept the Gospel of the kingdom of God for fear of being overthrown by 'higher authorities' from above. The gospel message OF Christ was changed to become the gospel ABOUT Christ - the Gospel message (the Good News) of the kingdom was switched to become the Gospel about the Messenger!

Moses prophesied of the coming Prophet (Christ) and we are told to listen to Him - that is, His Gospel message of the kingdom of God (Deut 18:15). Malachi also did prophesy of the same in Malachi 3:1 - the Messenger of the covenant. The Messenger (Christ) is one who brings a message - in this case, the Gospel message from God the Father (Luke 4:43) - and not about the Messenger Himself per se! Christ Himself affirms this when He said, 'Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.'  - John 14:10.

After Christ successfully overcame Satan in the wilderness, He began to preach the Gospel of the kingdom of God (Mark 1:14) saying, 'The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel' - Mark 1:15. The Lord Christ also commisioned His disciples to do likewise, 'And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven (God) is at hand' - Matt 10:7. One must believe the Gospel of the kingdom of God to be saved! The Apostle Peter preached the Gospel, differentiating between the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 8:12) showing that the kingdom of God and Jesus Christ and His church are separate matters. Similarly, the Apostle Paul went to the synagogue and preached about the kingdom of God (Acts 19:8; 20:25) and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 20:21). Paul too made a distinction between the Gospel and the Person of Jesus Christ as recorded in Acts 28:31. If the gospel is about the Person of Jesus Christ, why is there a need for Paul to distinguish between 'another Jesus' and 'different gospel' (2 Cor 11:4) as two separate set of false doctrine?

For over nineteen centuries, the true Gospel of the kingdom of God was not being preached to the world. But in this last days, it will be preached and then the end will come (Matt 24:14). Had the true Gospel been preached faithfully for all these preceding centuries, the end of the age would have come for this verse to be fulfilled! It was Herbert W Armstrong who first proclaimed the true Gospel of the kingdom of God to the world since the early twentieth century - even to kings, queens and political leaders of the world at that time. Unfortunately, many mistaken him and his teachings to be a kind of cultic and ignore them completely to their own loss.

But the time will come when Christ returns, the governments of the world will be dissolved to make way for the government of God, with Christ as the Head of it all - the King of kings and Lord of lords. Christ instructed the Apostle John to record thus, 'The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever' - Rev 11:15. This was long prophesied by prophet Daniel, ' And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom (kingdom of God), which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms (nations of the world), and shall stand for ever' - Daniel 2:44.

However, does it mean that Christ's role as Saviour of the world is denied? - absolutely not. Although Christ is not the gospel, He is to be preached in conjunction with the gospel (Acts 8:12; 28:31). His death and resurrection provide the means to the kingdom of God for which all true believers must seek to enter and inherit (Matt 6:33). There is no other goal higher than this calling - for all true believers must seek to be born again as immortal spirit beings into the eternal Family of God (Romans 8:29-30) with Christ as the firstborn from the dead (Colossians 1:18)-  with many more to follow at the First Resurrection!





 

THE TRUE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS

Unknown to billions of people the world over, the origin of Christmas is not about celebrating the birth of Christ. In fact, it predates the birth of Christ and has it roots in paganism going back to the time of Nimrod - the builder of theTower of Babel! To give it some form of credibility, it has the stamp of  'Christianity' imprinted on it. Christ was NOT born on December 25th, more likely in the fall of September when the 'country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night ' -  Luke 2:8. For how could the shepherds walked their sheep in the cold winter night if it was December and probably rainy too? The fact is, December 25th was meant for the celebration of the Roman Saturnalia - the sun god pagans worship in ancient times for the planting and harvesting seasons as the sun provides the sunlight for a good harvest.

The mood of the Christmas season will bring cheer to merry-makers and businesses, especially those who cater to customers shopping for Christmas gifts, indulge in fine wine, dining and partying till the wee hours of the morning. But God is not impressed, and neither is our Lord Jesus Christ. There are calls from some Christian fraternity to being Christ back to Christmas - but in truth He was never there to begin with. People like to follow the crowd as there are safety in numbers - but they are sincerely wrong in thinking that celebrating Christmas is honoring Christ. Most of the practices of the Christmas festival originates from Roman custom and religion when the sun was worshipped in place of the Son. It is a time to honor the sun god of sowing for bringing in the winter solstice. Such idolatry is  a direct violation of God's first commandment when Christians are commanded, 'Thou shalt have no other gods before me' - Exodus 20:3.

The Bible does not state the exact date of Christ's birth as it is probably not God's intention to reveal it to mankind for celebration. It is not God's commandment for mankind to celebrate Christmas, but purely the tradition of man. The festival of Saturnalia was a time to celebrate Saturn - the fire god of ancient times. Most ancient civilizations have a fire god. The planet Saturn was named after him because the bright color rings encircling the planet best represent rings of fire! Such practice was derived from Nimrod, the progenitor of all Babylonian gods whose worshippers offer child sacrifices to appease the gods of Molech and Baal among other names and is an abomination to the Lord (Jer 32:35). In Babylonian culture, Tammuz (another name for Nimrod) was the fire god.They are under the deception of Satan to believe that fire purifies their souls and the belief in purgatory to cleanse them of their sins arise from such practices.

The name Santa Claus is derived from the name Saint Nick. It is the Nicolaitanes that God hates for their evil deeds (Rev 2: 6,15). In fact, Santa is another name for Nimrod. All these have their roots not just in paganism but in evil doctrines and practices which Christ will return to destroy the MYSTERY BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH (Rev 17:5). The lighting up of the Christmas tree is actually a picture of the dead Nimrod returning to life with glory and honor. In Jeremiah 10:2-4, the prophet denounced the practice of putting up Christmas tree, '...Learn not he ways of the heathen...For the customs of the people are vain; for one cutteth a tree out of the forest...They deck it with silver and with gold, they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not.' All these goes to show that the practices of Christmas festivities were never God's idea, but merely the imagination of man. In modern times, it is propagated primarily for commercial reasons.

Syncretism is the term used to denote the worship of a true God mixed with pagan customs and practices. Serious judgment will befall the Israelites for those who disobey (Lev 18:29-30). Such is the spirit of the Christmas festivities when revelry and excesses were pushed to the limits in wine and spirits - albeit of the wrong kind! But many pagan practices are found in churches today and many church leaders even encourage their members to practice them almost without restraints. The Scripture is clear that God does not want His people to mix truth with falsehood, even if it is a very tiny portion of it - what more if it is substantially paganistic, and hence idolatrious in doctrines and practices. Christ is warning His called and chosen ones through the Apostle John to come out of her (Rev 18:4) - will you heed the Lord's warnings?



 

BIBLICAL HEALING

Millions of people the world over are plagued with sicknesses and diseases. Hospitals and clinics are often swarmed with patients - many in the prime of their lives - usually beyond what the medical profession can cope. The Bible teaches that it is not God's intention for us to be sick, 'Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.' (3 John 2). Christ suffered that we may be healed of all physical infirmities - '...with His stripes we are healed' (Isaiah 53:5). Human doctors can only diagnose and treat the symptoms with medication rather than treat the root causes of the problems. It is only God Who can heal our sicknesses and diseases, not men - however well respected the medical profession. The primary reason why men do not enjoy robust health is ignorance of God's physical and spiritual laws that govern health and physcial wellness.

While He was on earth, Christ performed many miracles of healing including casting out evil spirits and even raising the dead to life. Some of His chosen Apostles did likewise - in the footstep of the Master Healer. A point worthy of note is that wherever they went, they preached the Gospel of the kingdom of God and miraculous healing followed. For those who had not heard the Gospel, simple (human) faith in Christ resulted in healing. In the case of the two blind men recorded for us in Matthew 9:27-29, they received restoration of their sight by simply trusting in Christ's ability to heal them. Another instance of a woman with an issue of blood for twelve years was healed by Christ  to whom He later commented, 'Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague (Mark 5:34).

In today's modern context with advancement in science and medicine, most people will not believe the word of God regarding healing. They would choose to consult the doctors and medical specialists than believe God for healing, even for most Christians. In these last days, this is more so when Christ cautioned with a rhetorical question, ' Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?' (Luke 18:8). The Lord knew in advance that most people simply will not trust God and take His word at face value - they may mouth with perfunctory cliche, but in their hearts they simply will not believe and many are ignorant of the truth! Having said that, it need be stressed here that seeking healing through faith healing convention and similar public ministry is not God's way and could result in misrepresenting the word and promises of God. The biblical way is to seek the church elder through prayer and anointing of oil (James 5:14 - 16).

But what is real faith? Is it some kind of feel good experience, positive thinking or some charismatic church leaders that many were duped to believe? It has nothing to do with the five senses. Simply put, real faith is believing on the promises of God by taking His word at face value even though one cannot see it - yet believe - because God cannot lie (Heb 6:18). It has to grow from human faith to the faith of Christ (Rom 1: 17 - 'from faith to faith'). Unbelievers and a new believer can only have human faith, but it takes spiritual maturity to grow to acquire the faith of Christ. That is, to have the faith of Jesus (Rev 14:12) when He performed all the miracles and endured all the sufferings while He was on earth. Habakkuk 2:4 rings clearly on this point, 'But the just shall live by his faith' - a similar statement was also quoted by the Apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:7. It is a tall order that takes time, effort and experience to acquire.

While faith is one key issue that keeps many believers from receiving healing from God, obedience to the laws of God is another prerequisite. This is another key to answered prayer - 'And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight' (1John 3:22).When a young man asked Christ how to be saved, the answer - 'keep the commandments' - Matthew 19:17. From a human standpoint, that may be impossible, but with the help of the Holy Spirit dwelling within you (Christ in you) that is possible. That does not mean we are perfect to keep all the spiritual laws of God in order to be healed, but it does mean we ought to be working towards it and seek forgiveness where we fall short. Understanding the cause and effect of health and sickness is crucial to receive healing from God. When we break God's spiritual and physical laws, the result is predictable, unless we repent and turn away from it. Note that God only give His Holy Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts 5:32).

The ministry of Christ was basically twofold - preaching the Gospel of the kingdom of God (Luke 4:43) and healing the sick and casting out of demons (Luke 4:18; 7:22); and many of His first Apostles did likewise. For those who are Christ true disciples, we ought to follow in His footstep. A point to note here is that I am not against seeking medical treatment for sicknesses and diseases. I believe there is a role for the medical profession (especially the specialists) before God ushers in His kingdom here on earth. The point is that we ought to seek God first for our medical condition before rushing to the doctors at the slightest sign of cough and cold. Besides, not all have attained the level of faith and spiritual maturity to seek healing from God, and we must not judge a weaker brother or sister on that score.