HEALING IS BY GRACE ALONE

INTRODUCTION

Do you want to be well? Do you know someone who needs healed? What does God say about the topic? Those are common needs and questions Christians bring to God.

Jesus healed everyone who came to him of every disease. So a good place to start looking for answers is right there, with Jesus. The apostle John, in his biography about Jesus, begins by describing Jesus this way:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth; we have beheld his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. (John 1:1,14)

Jesus came to us full of grace and truth. Jesus preached the good news that the kingdom of God was at hand, then showed people what the kingdom of God looks like by his works, and then further explained in a series of parables how the Kingdom of God operates.

I have a special affinity for Jesus’ use of telling stories to convey truths he wanted to share. I’m known for the fiction I write, having authored twenty-two novels now. I mostly write fiction because I can tell the heart of something better in a story format.

My most recent manuscript had the subject topic of healing. In it I’m presenting scriptures, talking about them, and telling a story of those scriptures in action. The conclusions I found for the questions I was asking God about the topic of healing surprised me, and at times stunned me. The scriptures show healing is by grace alone, and it comes to us through communion. (And I think raising the dead is the simplest prayer there is.)

“Jesus has forgiven and healed every person in the world. He’s done it at the cross for the whole world in advance. It’s a free gift of his grace. 1 Peter 2:24 says two things happened on that Friday. ‘He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree’ and ‘By his wounds you have been healed.’ Both are past tense statements. Both are inclusive of all of mankind. The Greek word translated wounds is literally the stripe of scourging.”

Healing doesn’t come to us by our works. Healing is by grace alone. It is a gift from Jesus. That is a life-changing truth to see.

This book is offered with the deep desire that the church would return to enjoying the full five benefits God has for his people, gifts that come from his grace alone.

Bless the LORD, O my soul;

and all that is within me, bless his holy name!

Bless the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits,

who forgives all your iniquity,

who heals all your diseases,

who redeems your life from the Pit,

who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,

who satisfies you with good as long as you live

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

(Psalms 103:1-5)

There are approximately 550 scriptures in this book, counting full quotes and references. I am sharing scriptures primarily from the Revised Standard Version translation of the bible, as that has been the one I’ve carried since high school and from which I have recorded the most study notes. The scriptures quoted from the NIV and NLT and KJV translations are indicated.

I am a practical learner, I like to go to the source and read it for myself. I find biblehub.com useful for reading verses in many translations and as a resource to then look at the underlying Greek or Hebrew original text. Scripture study is actually the easiest adventure we can take, for the Holy Spirit, the one who wrote the scriptures, is with you as your personal teacher. When I read a verse I don’t understand, my favorite words are: “I don’t understand this. Would you explain it to me, God?” The Holy Spirit never fails to do so with joy; for he loves to teach.

Many of you will read this book because you are searching for what the bible has to say about healing and you are asking God to help you understand the topic. Others of you may be asked what you think about the conclusions in the fiction title, or desire to see how they were reached. So that you don't get obligated to read the full book (Dee Henderson / An Unfinished Death) to figure out what you think, or how to handle questions if they are asked, I’m offering a middle ground, which is this non-fiction book you hold in your hands.

Connie August is a combat medic who has experienced healings and miracles on the battlefield similar to those in scripture. Ryan Cooper is the CEO of a religious-affiliated private hospital. He wants to understand what she has experienced. She wants him to give a chaplain friend a job when he retires from the service. They start a series of conversations which form the core of the story.

Healing is by Grace Alone includes excerpts from many of their conversations and all the related scriptures the book conclusions rest upon. I suggest reading the first 50 pages (the first third), if the topics are helpful and useful, read to page 100 (the second third). If it is still helpful, finish it.

Jesus is beautiful in everything he does. And he is for us, completely, with everything we need. Healing and health are his free gifts to us. Come with me and see.

When you’re finished with this study, I welcome your comments on what you have read.

THANKS FOR READING THIS INTRODUCTION.

I HOPE YOU ENJOY THE BOOK.