Healing for the Family of God by Stan DeKoven

The church needs to focus on the needs and plan of God for His family. It is God’s intention to bring healing and restoration to the Family of God in our generation.

 God’s family has experienced some very significant fragmentation around the world. Part of the strategy of the enemy of our souls is to divide and conquer, especially the family unit. The focus of this article is to present some basic biblical principles of restoration for the brokenhearted and those in need.

 THE PROBLEM

 The problem from my perspective is twofold.

 First, the existence of sin in the world which continues to produce negative fruit in believers’ lives.

 Secondly, the church has settled for superficial healing for wounded souls and continued with the program as if nothing is wrong.

 The Word of the Lord around the world is that it is time to get the house in order, including our personal lives, family lives, and in the church. Let’s look more fully at a primary cause of problems in the family and the Church, and God’s solutions.

 THE WALKING WOUNDED

 In Acts 16:22-24, we read of the conversion of the Roman jailer and his household through the testimony of Paul and Silas. From this passage we gain the understanding of God’s heart for all people groups.

 The gospel is not for just one racial group but for all mankind. Further, His intention is for sozo (salvation or wholeness) to be made available for the whole families, for all ethnic groups, and for nations.

 However, as miraculous as each conversion is, and as complete as it is from an external perspective, we err if we do not also recognize the progressive sozo that is the continuing work of the Word and the Holy Spirit in the life of individual believers and in the church, as a whole.

 Salvation is an event AND a process. Our goal as the people of God is to see the fullness of salvation in the lives of God’s people, both individually and corporately.

 When people are saved, they BEGIN a journey.

 The deliverance of the children of Israel from Egypt is a clear picture of our salvation. God’s plan is the Promised Land, but the wilderness is needed to purify and prepare our hearts before we receive the fullness of God’s promises. All of what was in the heart of God’s people in Egypt became manifested in the crucible of the wilderness experience.

 Continued transformation comes through discipleship, teaching, confrontation, patience, pastoral care, and counseling. It is through this process that God brings people into wholeness which is necessary to receive their inheritance.

 We must stop preaching that there is no trial of discipline (discipleship, teaching, counseling) which produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness (right thinking and right living).  

 Hebrews 12:11 says, “Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”

PROFESSIONAL PROPHETS

 The Church and its leadership, especially in Charismatic circles, have been influenced by the desire for large, respectful, beautiful and proper ministries and churches.

 In Jeremiah 8:4-12 there are several indictments against the scribes and prophets of his day. One of the most glaring accusations against the religious leaders was that they did not take seriously the reality of the needs of God’s people.

 Jeremiah declares plainly, “Everyone is greedy for gain.”  From the prophet to the priest, they were practicing deceit for gain. Verse 11 continues “and they heal the brokenness of the daughter of my people superficially, saying, peace, peace. But there is no peace”.

 This is a picture of our present world. The people of God have been deeply wounded.  They are broken in mind and emotions.  They are in desperate need for true men and women of God to be willing to assist them in finding wholeness in Christ.

 Unfortunately, the church and its leaders are often caught in the tyranny of the urgent, the handling of crisis and administration, of conducting meetings, rather than on making disciples from the walking wounded.

 GOD’S PLAN OF RESTORATION

 Below is provided three sets of two rhyming words that may assist our family and God’s family in “Putting the House in Order,” and bring healing and wholeness to all concerned.

 1. FACE & ADMIT

 The first step in growth is to be willing to face truth and admit that healing/restoration is needed. Paul emphasized this in Romans 12:1, as did James in James 1:19ff. The Apostles were admonishing the church, the family of God, to admit their need for the Lord to bring them wholeness. Until a person admits his/her inability to resolve their own problems without the help of Christ and His Body, very little can be accomplished.

 2. TRACE & SUBMIT

 After facing the truth and admitting responsibility for one’s condition, a person/family/church must then be willing to trace the symptoms back to the root of the problem. Most would rather project blame (she’s stubborn, he’s pigheaded, etc.) rather than submit to a process of change.

 We must be willing to explore the reasons for our difficulties and humbly submit to loving accountability. That is precisely why we often need someone outside our family or group to assist us in clearly seeing and understanding the truth.

 Sometimes, we have to look backward and inward before we can look forward and outward.

 3. ERASE & COMMIT

 Once we understand the roots (which takes time) and submit to an accountable relationship(s) (which takes courage), we must begin to correct the problems by committing to the process of change. That, of course, takes time and energy. Yet it is so worth it to bring our house into the place where God can use us fully.

 As you contemplate your family and God’s family, remember that it is God’s intention to see us through to victory. The Lord desires a bride without spot or wrinkle; He wants our families healed. Trust the Lord to fulfill His purpose in you for His glory.

 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

And lean not on your own understanding;

In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

-Proverbs 3:5-6

 © 2024 Stan DeKoven/ https://www.vision.edu