James 5:14-15

[Pamelasv]

A healing can happen supernaturally or over time. Nasb says 'restore'. Not sure what the difference would be there, but sounds like something a little different than a simple healing physically. I heard this on the radio someone claiming it meant something else, just didnt hear it clearly because I was doing something else, but do know it had to do more with the spirit. But anyway, a little off topic, healings often happen over time too, so I dont believe if it is not instant, you dont have the faith. Why would God give people the gift of healing if we could muster up it up ourselves. We wouldnt need God to use somebody in this gift.

[Guest shiloh357]

There are three possible options:   God will heal instantly, God will heal over time and God will not heal at all.  We have to be willing to accept God's will no matter which it is.  The real test of faith is whether or not you are willing serve and love the Lord even if He doesn't fix your situation.

[Willa]

Those that do not believe that God can heal supernaturally today, that this gift ended with the apostles along with the others...

We need a scripturally balanced perspective on healing :

 

1. All healing is from God (regardless of medical science).  In that sense it is "supernatural".

 

2. God has provided healing properties in countless herbs and plants , and generally have serious side effects).

UNREFINED HERBS CAN HAVE VERY SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, NOT JUST SOME PHARMASEUTICALS.

 

 Even there, Paul could not heal at will (e.g. Epaphroditus and Timotheus).

 

5. At the same time, where needed to authenticate the Gospel (e.g. Africa) God will give the gift of miracles to individuals.

 

6. Christians are generally not to resort to "faith healers" but to the elders of the local church.

 

7. The elders must pray in faith, believing that there will be healing from GOD AS THEY OBEY WITH their prayers and their anointing with oil.

 

I EDITED YOUR REMARKS SO THAT WE CAN AT LEAST AGREE ON A FEW OF YOUR COMMENTS. GOD STILL HEALS TODAY AND ONLY FAITH AS A GRAIN OF MUSTARD SEED IS REQUIRED. HE HAS NOT CHANGED. WE NEED A TINY BIT OF FAITH IN A GREAT, LOVING GOD. God still does the healing, not someones great faith. Sometimes God does honor a persons faith when they simply recognize Jesus as the God who heals. God also gives gifts of faith in some circumstances. I don't remember seeing God heal twice in the same way. He wants us to be totally dependant on Him whether He heals us or says no and gives us grace to endure.