Surely he took up our pain
and bore our suffering,
yet we considered him punished by God,
stricken by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was on him,
and by his wounds we are healed. –Isaiah 53:4-5
Praise the Lord, my soul,
and forget not all his benefits—
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. Psalm 103:2
What is the FULL gospel of Jesus Christ? What is the REAL Good News (gospel)? When we take a look back into the Old Testament, we find a couple of scriptures that describe the nature of God, before Jesus was revealed. God has been in the forgiving and healing business since the beginning. Read these texts. What do you find? God forgives. God heals. In the ministry of Jesus Christ we saw that Jesus would preach, teach, and heal to announce the Kingdom of God, here on earth. Jesus gave it to his disciples to carry this work forward. If you proclaim to be a disciple, then you have the same assignment. Do not separate forgiveness and healing. It is a package deal that Jesus paid for. It is God’s will that all will be forgiven (saved) and all will be healed. I encourage you to read these scriptures and pray over them.
Prayer: Lord, thank you that you love, forgive, and heal us. Let us see your glory in our lives and in those for whom we pray. Let us receive the full gospel promise and be empowered by Holy Spirit to be your witnesses to all people, in Jesus’ holy name, amen.