If we think of people making a deep impression on us in the world we live in, we many times talk about “movers and shakers”. These are people who can accomplish a lot in their lifetime, for example, help people to come out of poverty and sickness, etc. Such people can mobilise and inspire people to do great things, bring economic development, prosperity etc. And such people are of course very much needed. But think how many people there are on earth who are unhappy in spite of good health and prosperity! They are caught up in discontentment, anxiety, bitterness, jealousy, etc., and suffer a lot from these things! How many people are there who can help them to come out of this?
I thought about an example of a medical doctor, not just a general doctor, but a specialist in cancer treatment. Let’s say he discovered a new medicine and way to treat people with aggressive cancer, and he has a huge success rate! So, the medical journals write about him and he is on the front-page of newspapers and magazines, and people are impressed by his accomplishments.
Now, this specialist doctor receives a patient with cancer all over! But he doesn’t only have cancer, he is also a very proud and selfish person, only thinking of himself. His wife and children suffer a lot because of his selfishness. And he is bitter about the way he was treated years ago; and at work he is extremely jealous as his colleague got a promotion, while he did not…. All in all, he is a very unhappy person! Our specialist doctor now treats this sick and unhappy man and he gets totally healed from cancer!! His cancer was so bad, that everybody now talks about his healing. And our specialist doctor becomes even more famous and leaves a deep impression on people’s minds!
The patient is of course very glad and leaves the hospital with a big smile. But coming home, his nature just takes over again, and his bitterness, jealousy, selfishness and unhappiness pops up again (for that is his nature). In spite of his healed body, life is still miserable for himself and those around him. True, our specialist doctor could heal his body but he could not heal his nature, his bitterness, jealousy, selfishness, etc – the most severe “sicknesses” that make people rotten on the inside… The medical journals and newspapers never write about these horrible “sicknesses!” And strange enough, in spite of so many people suffering terribly from it, almost nobody talks about it!
He overpowered all these things that live in the nature of a man, and now He is able to help us and heal us from the very same things.
If there are people on earth who can help mankind to be healed from these things, such people will leave a deep impression on me! And the truth is: I know such people! They are people from all walks of life, and their ability to help others has nothing to do with their social status, race or education! They are just common people from all walks of life. One of them was a carpenter in Nazareth. He was the first one who overcame pride, anxiety, jealousy, bitterness, etc. in His own life. He overpowered all these things that live in the nature of a man, and now He is able to help us and heal us from the very same things. (Hebrews 2:17,18) He promised that He can save us completely, so that we are no longer bound by it! (Hebrews 7:25)
And in the degree that we are set free from these things, in the same degree we can also help others become totally free! With the same words and advice Jesus gives us on how to come free from pride, anxiety, bitterness, jealousy, etc, with the same advice we can help others to become free! Just as it is written: “Take heed to yourself and the doctrine (Jesus’ words), for you will save yourself and those who hear you!” (1 Timothy 4:16) Yes, I am deeply impressed by such people and very thankful to know such people personally!
Joline Tebu
Ooh Freedom.
I want to become also free.
Mark Floor
Yes, this is so true! I recently was witness of a 18 year young girl who gave me a life demonstration of having a life in Jesus . She organized a festive meal, shopped for the ingredients, prepared the food , served the food and then by accident was left out in both fellowship and food. No food for her!
Later in the evening she cleaned the dinner table, did the dishes and set down in the lounge in peace and rest. That impressed me very much!
An other 15 year old girl told her friend about a splendid idea for a girls activity club. Her friend took her idea and told it to the club member as if it was her idea. The club members liked ‘her’ idea very much! I watched the scenery unfolding…. The response of this 15 year old girl impressed me. After a we had a 5min talk about the situation, she laughed and laughed saying: “As soon as I gave up the demand that I need the credit for this idea, I had peace”
Ewa Fourie
Hi Tielman. Thank you for this article you wrote, you explained it so simply.
It is truly Amazing, that we have a savior, that can not only save us from the outer sicknesses but do a greater work within.
Inner peace and joy is worth more than Gold!
Thank you again
Tim McNutt
Thanks for sharing this Tielman.
It’s was very encouraging to read. I will follow Jesus, the one who overcame all these things I see in my own flesh.
“For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness— by whose stripes you were healed.”
I Peter 2:21-24 NKJV