Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. Hebrews 13:8 (KJV)

People often try to give “reasons” why something didn’t happen. For example, they may say someone’s healing didn’t manifest because healing isn’t God’s will. Or they may say that healing and the other gifts of the Sprit passed away with the last apostle. On and on it goes. They call them reasons, but there is no truth to what they say. Instead, they are excuses, based in man’s earthly logic and reasoning. Instead of attributing it to our own failings, man attempts to put the blame on God and His will.

Jesus died to save all, to heal all, to bless all. Salvation is for today, so healing is for today- they were both purchased by Jesus’ blood. He died to save us AND to heal us. Everything Jesus died for is still available today. Jesus’ blood and His sacrifice has not changed, and what it has purchased is still accessible. We can’t pick and choose which scriptures to believe, and we can’t twist verses to make it all excuse our lack of faith and our unbelief. It makes us feel better to say it wasn’t our fault- but that does not make it true.

Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. I Peter 2:24 (KJV)

Notice that this verse says that ye WERE healed by His stripes. When did this happen? It happened when Jesus shed His blood as He was beaten and took those stripes on His back for our healing. Who are we to say that the beating He took and the stripes that were sliced into His body are no longer effective to heal?

Some also teach that the gifts of the Spirit are not for today. However, I Corinthians 12 say that they are. Holy Spirit wants us to receive and operate in His gifts. He’s the Gift-giver, but we have to believe and receive what He offers us.

Some teach that the ministry office of apostles and prophets are not for today. However, they believe that there are still pastors, teachers, and evangelists. Where do they get this? They get it from Ephesians 4:11, the same verse that includes the ministry gifts of apostles and prophets. So- they choose to acknowledge three of the five-fold ministry gifts, but not the other two. They’ve simply picked the ones they like and discounted the rest. This is man’s reasoning trying to override the Word of God.

Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity. I Corinthians 13:8-13 (KJV) emphasis mine

I Corinthians 13 speaks of spiritual gifts and tells us that the gifts operate by love. Yet, some people use I Corinthians 13:8-10 to say that spiritual gifts have been done away with. They claim that the perfect has come and that the written Word of God is the perfect thing that it is referring to. So, they use this to say the gifts of the Spirit are no longer in effect. However, “that which is perfect is come” refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ, the Perfect One. Since Christ has not yet returned, all of the gifts are for today.

The Book of Acts continues to be lived out. It is to be our “example book.” God is continuing to do now what He did then. It is for all of the church age; the age of grace.

Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. Matthew 15:6-9 (KJV)

In Matthew 15:6, Jesus told the religious leaders of His day that their traditions made the Word of God of none effect. They were using man-made doctrines instead of the Word of God. Let’s choose to believe Jesus and His Word over the traditions and excuses of human reasoning. Jesus is the same always. He hasn’t changed. His gifts haven’t changed. What Jesus did in His earthly ministry is still operational today. We need all of the gifts to help us as we prepare us to be with Jesus. It is true that when He comes, we won’t need the gifts any longer- but for now we do.

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For further study: I Corinthians 12:1-12, 28-31, Romans 12:6-8, Ephesians 4:7-16, I Peter 4:10-11