>> “ then all people who confess, repent, and are ‘sanctified’ should be disease-free. They are not.” <<
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I don’t know how to show you, but that statement is quite wrong.
Very few professing Christians have achieved sanctification.
Most think that recviting the “sinner’s prayer” does all that needs to be done. That simply is not so.
Anyone that has chronic disease has sanctification issues that need to be addressed. The path is first pray to be shown your sins, then confess and repent of them, then permanently remove them from your life. It can be a slow process for some, or a near instantaneous one for others.
If you want to understand this thoroughly, get Henry Wright’s book, “A More Excellent Way” and read it. I reccoment beginning with the testimony section in the back of the book. Real people confessing what they have gone through is an eye opener.
http://shop.beinhealth.com/store/US/catalog/partdetail.aspx?PartNo=BK2PAME
Why didn’t God heal Paul’s affirmity? Why does God allow sickness? Why has NO ONE in history every reached that level of santification.... such that their physical being is restored to post fall? Because it will never happen. And God doesn’t promise that it will. The kingdom of God at this time is not about our physical self. It is about our spiritual self. Suggesting that we can so sanctify our spiritual self so that it heals our fallen, carnal, humanity is in complete contradiction to almost all of the book of Romans.
I do not agree with you that a mortal can permanently rid himself of sin. There was only one perfect person who was without sin, and we hanged him on a cross. That is my belief, a belief that will not ever change, although I understand that you may not hold that same opinion.
Most think that recviting the “sinner’s prayer” does all that needs to be done. That simply is not so.
I'm sure that our personal beliefs about the plan of salvation must be very different, so again, I won't debate that with you (or anyone else here, for that matter).
You're being awfully harsh on people who were damaged by childhood abuse, severe trauma in adulthood such as rape or beatings, or are combat veterans, for just three examples off the top of my head. It's easier to convince people that God's love is the answer if you demonstrate it, rather than sound like the Church Lady.
I would suggest you spend some time reading scripture.
Hebrews 10:10 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
1 Corinthians 6:11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Hebrew 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
ALL believers have been sanctified