Saved from...
Acts 16:30-31 “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.”
He asks the question, as many of us have at one time or another- what must I do to be saved? Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.
But what do I get when I'm "saved". Like, what's in it for me? I know, it's a little heretical to ask such a thing, but as humans, we all think this when we're told we must do one thing or another. Don't lie, you've thought it too. It's the WIIFM factor, what's in it for me? Most pastors and alter call folks will tell you "you get eternal life! That should be enough!"
Right. But what does that mean...
I'm a word girl. I love looking up literally every word in the scriputres because there is so much richness to the original language it was written in. Hebrew, man, you get such a fabulous context when you know the language and culture of the people, and when you understand the times they were living in, woosh! It ups the concept to another level.
I'm also a healer. It's just what I do. I like laying hands on folks, anointing people up with oils and praying over them, and speaking healing words. I search my world to seek out people who need a healing touch of our Jesus like I got 24 years ago. Again, it's just my thing. Maybe that's not you, but hey, we all have our gig, right?
Because of these two aspects of my nature, I looked up the words "made well" one time. In the Greek, it's Sozo.
to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literally or figuratively) -- heal, preserve, save (self), do well, be (make) whole. Strong's 4982
Interesting...
So I begin to pour over the scriptures looking for other words such as healed and saved.
They all had the same Greek word- Sozo.
to save, i.e. deliver or protect (literal or figurative)- heal, preserve, save,(self), do well, be (make) whole.
When Messiah Jesus healed people, He would make them whole, heal them, save them. Sometimes He cured them, this is the word iaomai, healing, particularly as supernatural and bringing attention to the Lord Himself as the Great Physician. Other times it was a healing over time, as in, give the man some chicken soup or stop sinning type healing- therapeuó, heal, reversing a physical condition to restore a person having an illness (disease, infirmity).
There are essentially three different types of healing mentioned in the New Testament in regards to Messiah and the disciples who continued His work. But the one most mentioned is Sozo, a total healing and saving.
In 2020 the churches worldwide experienced an astounding phenomenon- the choice to close their doors on account of global fear.
Yes there was a pandemic, and yes, they closed out of fear. Not all churches mind you, there are a remnant who stayed open and welcomed anyone in. Yet for the most part many chose to shut down.
In countries across the globe, government represent a more dictator type community so when an international (not in the US) church closes, I think, fair. And at the same time I am fairly certain they will find and have found other ways to share the gospel and continue the work. Scrappy bunch that they are, given they are used to immense persecution.
But in America, where I live, if a church closes it's doors it is appalling and disgraceful. No matter your demographic, if you are a church that preaches the salvation of Jesus the Messiah, your doors must stay completely open- to all people- fever or not- open.
You know the story, after several months, the churches began to open but with sharp restrictions. Don't come if you've had a fever, cough or cold. Don't come if you've tested positive for Covid. Stay 6 feet away from your brothers and sisters, no hugging, fist bumps, and certainly no high fives. The worst practice the church in the United States has taken part of? The giant banner on almost every website saying "If you have been sick with fever DO NOT COME".
So if I'm to understand you correctly, the church in 2021 is for the healthy then, right? And if this is true, and only the healthy are allowed to come in the doors then... um... how are they feeling the Holy Spirit in community? And if it's the Church, the whole community of believers who are called to go into all the world and make disciples of all nations, yet those believer are
afraid and are staying home as well, then how are all the sick folks going to get healed?
Tell me, people of God- if someone comes down with the Covid, are they suppose to just guess if they want prayer and oil anointing? Likely they’ll go to the google and search an establishment that is proclaiming healing, yet when they look at EVERY SINGLE CHURCH website, they’re going on see- DO NOT COME TO THIS CHURCH BUILDING IF YOU’RE SICK
Did you know there are Christians right now, right this minute, as I type on my fancy computer, sitting in my cushy house, overlooking my stunning lake, right now- believers in 50 countries are running for their lives, being abused and tortured- all because they love a people group and want to see them saved, healed, & made whole by Messiah Jesus? Did you know that?
 Did you know there are people on the daily risking life and limb to smuggle the word of God in closed countries, but in America, STILL the land of the free, Christians mask up and stay home (in that order ) to obey their government?  I wonder how many of those same Americans have paid for bibles in order for someone else to take them across the border.
So if you're saved, you're healed, made whole. And if you're saved, then all the promises in Him are Yes and AMEN. And if you're saved, people of God, then you are bound by obligation to offer the same salvation, to those in need- including laying your healed hands on a sick unbeliever and saving them for all of eternity, and from the Covid.
With so many Christians in the United States one would assume that they shouldn't be any cases of Covid because we are all the sick are headed to the churches for healing.
And if you're saved, then sickness and dis ease are not a part of your story unless you welcome it in. You are above it, so says the word of the LORD.
Believer in Messiah Jesus, rather than live like the rest of the world, consider with me to live SAVED.