Episode 268 – When Healing Has Not Come

What happens when we pray fervently for healing and it doesn't come? This deeply personal exploration takes us into one of Christianity's most challenging questions—not to shake our faith, but to strengthen it with biblical truth. We journey through passages like James 5, where we're instructed to call for elders, pray in faith, and anoint with oil, yet we also encounter the puzzling reality that even the Apostle Paul left co-workers like Trophimus sick and advised Timothy to use medicinal wine for his stomach ailments. The tension is real: we believe wholeheartedly in the gifts of healings mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12, we've seen miraculous breakthroughs, yet we've also watched loved ones suffer despite our prayers. Rather than offering easy answers or blaming either God or our lack of faith, this message invites us into a mature understanding—that progressive healing is still healing, that God sometimes uses medicine alongside miracles, and that our suffering can produce an eternal weight of glory that far outweighs our temporary troubles. Like Job, we're called to trust God even when we can't find Him in our circumstances, declaring 'though He slay me, I will trust Him.' This isn't about giving up on healing; it's about refusing to put God on trial while we continue to press in with obedient faith.

Today’s episode of Mavericks & Misfits presents to us a crucial question: Are we operating in the gifts and calling God has actually given us, or are we trying to fulfill roles that drain rather than energize us? Drawing from Ephesians 4, we're reminded that God established five distinct ministry graces—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—not as optional organizational structures, but as essential foundations for a healthy, thriving church. Jeff Lyle challenges the modern tendency to collapse all these roles into one person called 'pastor,' which has left many leaders exhausted and congregations undernourished. When we understand our unique design within the body of Christ, we stop competing and start partnering with one another in the Spirit. The evangelist brings people to salvation, the teacher grounds them in truth, the shepherd nurtures their growth, the prophet keeps us aligned with God's present word, and the apostle builds systems and raises up the next generation. We're invited to examine whether we're in the right seat on the bus—serving where God has equipped us rather than where tradition or expectation has placed us. This isn't just about church structure; it's about personal fulfillment and Kingdom effectiveness. When we all discover and operate in our God-given grace, frustration gives way to fruitfulness, and the mission of Christ advances with supernatural power.

God never violates His covenants or alters what He has spoken. But what about us? Is what comes forth from our mouths as reliable as it should be? In a world where broken promises and shattered commitments surround us daily, we're called to a higher standard as followers of Christ. This powerful message challenges us to examine the integrity of our words—both to God and to one another. He is faithful to Abraham's descendants, faithful to His promises, and faithful to us. If the Creator of the universe holds Himself to such an unwavering standard, how much more should we honor our commitments? The episode of Mavericks & Misfits confronts our tendency to give ourselves permission to back out when keeping our word becomes costly. Whether in marriage vows, ministry partnerships, business contracts, or personal pledges to God, we are called to let our 'yes be yes' and our 'no be no.' This isn't about legalism; it's about integrity, honor, and reflecting the character of the God we serve. When we break our word, we undermine our witness and act like our old, unregenerate selves. The message calls us to examine where we might be inching back from commitments, reframing what we said, or finding convenient exits when the road gets difficult. Mean what you say…every time.

Can someone claim to be born again while habitually practicing sin? According to several extremely clear (And neglected!) passages of Scripture, the answer is a resounding NO. When God's seed—His very nature—dwells within us through the Holy Spirit, we cannot continue to live in perpetual, intentional sin. This isn't about perfection or never stumbling, but about the fundamental trajectory of our lives. Are we characterized by righteousness or by ongoing rebellion? The lists in these passages—sexual immorality, idolatry, drunkenness, greed, reviling—aren't meant to condemn us but to wake us up from a coma of deception. They function like spiritual pain receptors, alerting us to danger so we can change course. We are called to examine ourselves honestly: do we possess mere intellectual agreement with gospel facts, or has Jesus truly taken residence in our hearts, producing a new nature that cannot coexist with habitual sin? Eternity for so many professing Christians hangs in the balance and how they respond to these truths that lukewarm leaders avoid.

In this third and final exploration of the spectrum of salvation, we delve into the three crucial stages of our spiritual journey: justification, sanctification, and glorification. As believers, we're reminded that justification frees us from sin's penalty, sanctification liberates us from sin's power, and glorification will ultimately save us from sin's very presence. The message emphasizes Romans 8:18, highlighting that our present sufferings pale in comparison to the glory that awaits us. This perspective shift encourages us to persevere through life's challenges, knowing that our eternal reward far outweighs any temporary hardship. As we contemplate our future glorified state, we're inspired to live with greater purpose and hope, eagerly anticipating the day when we'll stand faultless before God, fully transformed into Christ's likeness.

In our spiritual journey, we often grapple with the concept of sanctification - the process of our becoming more like Jesus Christ. This episode dives deep into 1 Thessalonians 5:23 and John 17:17, reminding us that sanctification is both God's work and our own cooperation. We are set apart by God for His purposes, yet we play an active role in this transformation of becoming more like Jesus as we spiritually mature. The truth of God's Word is our compass, guiding us towards holiness. As we navigate this path, we're encouraged to remember that it's a lifelong process. We may stumble, but what matters is our overall direction towards Christlikeness. Today's episode challenges us to examine our relationship with Scripture and our commitment to purifying ourselves, as mentioned in 1 John 3:3. It's a powerful call to live out our identity in Christ, moving beyond superficial distinctions and embracing our true calling as children of God.

In this powerful exploration of salvation, we're invited to delve deep into the true meaning of what it actually means to be saved. God's perspective on our salvation is that it is already completed - we are already justified, sanctified, and glorified in His sight. This positional truth challenges us to rethink our understanding of salvation not as something we earn or maintain, but as a gift freely given by God through Christ. The key lesson here is the assurance of our position in Christ, providing peace and security in our faith journey. As we contemplate this truth, we're encouraged to find rest in God's finished work rather than striving to earn what has already been freely given. Today's podcast calls us to embrace the fullness of our salvation, transforming how we view ourselves and our relationship with God.