Questions About the Spiritual Life in Christ (1)

Why are we not healed all at once and completely? What does it mean that we are still subject to these infirmities of ours? Some of Christ's works of healing are perfectly done all at once, but some are done by degrees, little by little. Christ heals the soul of guiltiness all at once, but there remains the corruption and the dregs of this disease for heavenly purposes. He heals by not healing and leaves infirmities to cure enormities. He allows us to be humbled by our infirmities, lest we should be exalted above measure, as he dealt with Paul (2 Cor. 12:7). Peter benefited more spiritually when he fell (Mark 14:72), than when he presumed (Mark 14:29). We should retort Satan's accusations when he tempts us to despair because of our sins, by reasoning this way: because we have infirmities, therefore we will pray the more earnestly, ‘forgive us our trespasses’ (Matt. 6:12); because we are sick, we will go to Christ that took our nature not to cure everyone but to help the weak. Christ does not immediately and perfectly cure our weaknesses, because he will have us live by faith, every day going to the throne of grace, and depending on his promise for the forgiveness of our sins, assuring ourselves that the Spirit in us. Like David's house, we will grow stronger and stronger, while the house of Saul is weaker and weaker (2 Sam. 3:1). Be assured, if the flesh begins once to fall, it will surely fall.

Devotional Readings taken from Puritan Richard Sibbes 'Refreshment for the Soul.'
Sun of Righteousness, Works, vol. 7, p. 173
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