As I have mentioned before, any healing requires faith (hope in action), a result of obedience. Same goes for salvation. My own testimony bears witness!
For at least a year before I came to Jesus with surrender and for newness, I would pray every single night, begging God to please forgive my wretched behavior that day and proceed to do the same sins the next day. No Jesus, no peace, no Holy Spirit, no power. I felt desperate and stuck, which led to several failed suicidal attempts. (I believed in God and knew about Jesus.)
I met Jesus at a hockey game! It was the beginning of a radical transformation— "I returned home to change my books, music, entertainment, friends, clothes, etc. Suddenly, I could see God face to face, and I felt like I finally got rid of the wall of sin I had put up that was separating me from God. Finally, I could see Him clearly, see His love, and hear His voice. I could understand so much more.” (From a description I wrote about it soon after my salvation experience.)
Whenever I would pray and plead everyday, I was just hoping that He would do it all. But that’s just hope and not faith. Faith is putting your hope into ACTION. Yet, when I did something (purged) to outwardly demonstrate my inward belief, SKADOOSH. The world changed, and He was right there (always was; I had erected the wall of sin between us, and I had to knock it down).
Basically, I should have known. From the very beginning of my salvation, action has been dire and foundational. Just as action was the necessary and final step for salvation*, so it is for healing. Holy Spirit had shown me this truth over 21 years ago, and I’m just now getting it!
*Not a good works, trying to earn salvation kind of action, but demonstrating that you believe you have received kind of action. By grace (Him) through faith (me)! [Ephesians 2:8-9]
