Faith is essential in the life of a believer. We cannot
please God without faith. We are saved by faith. Scripture teaches that God
honours faith, sometimes bringing miraculous deliverance. But, does faith
always guarantee deliverance? Do we suffer from illness because of our lack of
faith in God? Is our failure to overcome difficult times and challenges a
result of insufficient faith? Faith indeed brings healing, wellness, and
deliverance, yet it does not always ensure an escape from trials. Instead, God
may permit suffering to fulfill a higher purpose. Even in the face of immense
struggles, and sometimes at the brink of death, certain believers exemplify
unwavering faith, glorifying God through their endurance.
The Bible presents examples where faith leads to
deliverance, as well as instances where, despite steadfast faith, deliverance
does not come. When the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the
sea, they cried out to God. Moses told them to trust, and God miraculously
parted the waters, delivering them. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to
worship Nebuchadnezzar’s idol, declaring that God could save them – but even if
He didn’t, they would remain faithful. God protected them in the fiery furnace,
demonstrating His power. King Herod arrested Peter, intending to execute him.
Yet, as the church prayed, an angel freed Peter from prison, showing God’s
ability to rescue His people. When God’s people placed their trust in Him, they
experienced miraculous deliverance and witnessed divine intervention. Indeed,
faith was the key that unlocked the door to salvation and miracles.
However, there were also instances where individuals,
despite their unwavering faith in God, were not delivered from their trials.
John the Baptist, a faithful prophet, who prepared the way for Christ, was
imprisoned and beheaded. Though he trusted in God, he was not delivered from
death. A man full of faith, Stephen preached boldly but was stoned to death.
Instead of being saved from suffering, he was given a vision of Jesus in
heaven. Paul endured beatings, imprisonments, and shipwrecks. He fervently
prayed and pleaded with God to remove his suffering, but God responded, “My
grace is sufficient for you.” We also learn that the disciples of Jesus Christ
and the early believers, having been fully convinced that He is the true Lord
and Saviour, faced death without fear. Even in the face of horrific and
agonising deaths, they stood firm in their faith until the very end.
Some Christian ministers wrongly preach that all sicknesses
and suffering are the result of personal sin and that failure to be delivered
from hardship is due to a lack of faith. While faith is crucial, this teaching
is flawed. It is a misconception to believe that faith always guarantees
healing, deliverance, or escape from suffering. In John 9: 1-12, Jesus
addressed this when His disciples asked if a man was born blind due to his or
his parents’ sin. Jesus clarified that his blindness was not a result of sin
but occurred so that the works of God might be displayed in his life. Thus,
suffering is not always a punishment, nor is deliverance always a proof of
faith.
The Bible teaches us that those who pursue righteousness may
face persecution, yet they are blessed.Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs
is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10). For to you it has been granted on
behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake
(Philippians 1:29). If we do not carry our own cross, we cannot be His disciple
(Luke 14:27). Scripture affirms that as believers and followers of Christ, we
are called to suffer for His sake. Therefore, to assume that all struggles and
hardships stem from a lack of faith is misleading.
Many people ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?”
However, there is a common mistake in this question – assuming that all
struggles, hardships, and suffering are inherently bad. The suffering of Jesus,
for example, brought salvation to the world. In the same way, our own trials
can lead to greater purposes and unseen blessings. I do not intend to delve
deeply into the nature of pain and suffering in this piece. Rather, my goal is
to highlight an important truth: faith does not always guarantee deliverance.
Yet, even in the absence of deliverance, we can stand in unwavering faith.
The mistaken belief that faith always leads to deliverance
is often promoted by those who have personally experienced miraculous healings
from God. While I do not question the authenticity of their healing, I take
issue with their claim that that sickness and suffering are solely the result
of a lack of faith. I believe that many do not receive healing because of lack
of faith. If you find yourself in that position, I pray that God strengthens
your faith. However, if you are a person of faith and still do not experience
healing or deliverance from trials, continue to trust in Him – even on your
deathbed. God’s ways are beyond our understanding, and He works uniquely and
wondrously in each of our lives.
To all preachers and teachers: exercise great caution.
Proclaim the truth, but do not establish absolute doctrines based on your
personal experiences or opinions. Learn to distinguish between general truths
and absolute truths. It is true that through faith, we can receive healing –
but this is not an absolute guarantee. If we believe and follow Christ, we will
also experience and endure suffering. The kingdom of God has been inaugurated,
but it is not yet fully consummated. Until that day comes, perfection will not exist
on earth.
The Bible offers invaluable guidance on wealth, reminding us
that while it has its place; it should never be our ultimate pursuit. Yet, some
preachers place undue emphasis on material riches, portraying them as the true
mark of faith. This has led many to assume that financial hardship is a sign of
weak faith. I once met a man who was utterly discouraged after hearing a
preacher declare that the poor have no place in heaven – a tragic distortion of
biblical truth.
