Charles was a remarkable person and a beloved college professor. He was the picture of health until one day they discovered cancer. Thereafter, he began to steadily decline.

The elders of the church anointed Charles with oil and earnestly prayed. Yet he continued to fade away until he died.

Why? What is the meaning in this text if things don’t turn out the way it seems to promise?

God’s ideal is that all be healed, but because of evil in the world, some will pass away without experiencing healing on earth.

We cannot grasp God’s overarching plan because we do not know all the factors relating to the conflict between good and evil that go into His decisions. His love requires freedom, which creates the potential for evil.

God is not a determinist who stacks the cards the way He wants things to turn out. This would be against the integrity of His character and our free will. So, until He returns, He works around Satan’s intent to kill and destroy.

Still, He promises sick persons salvation and forgiveness: the ultimate healing. He’s promised a rising up, which could mean from the sickbed now or when Christ comes.

We believe, knowing that whatever healing God provides will be just what is needed at the time, for our eternal good.