A Perfect God to Help You Cope in an Imperfect World – Part Two

Philippians 4: 19

We live in an imperfect world with our perfect God to guide us.  Our American mentality prompts us to want to avoid trials or find an easy escape from them. What do you do when you can do neither?

James 5: 14 says we should anoint the sick with oil and pray for them. We should do what the Scripture says, but what does it mean?

There are two Greek words for “anoint.”  One is ALEPHO. The other CHRIO.

Chrio is the root word for the Greek name Christo which is translated Christ. It was used to describe putting olive oil on the brow of prophets, priests, and kings to designate their office. The name Christ means “the anointed one.”

Alepho is also translated as “anoint.” It meant to massage or kneed with oil. Rabbis writing in the New Testament era revealed the many medical usages of olive oil. An example was the man found on the road to Jericho by the Good Samaritan who anointed his wounds with olive oil. It was one of the best medicines of the time. The meaning of James 5: 14 is pray for the sick and use the very best medical treatment available. Then you will have done all expected of you by God, and if it pleases Him healing will result.

Simply putting oil on the brow and praying is not in compliance with this text. That is why many don’t do it.

If our God is a perfect God and He can make all things perfect, why doesn’t He? Because it is not things He is trying to perfect, but people sometimes imperfect means have to be used to reach a perfect end.

When something imperfect happens in what we expect to be our perfect world we want to summons God, put Him on the carpet, and demand to know “Why?”

“God, our generation believes in ‘the public’s right to know.’ Now, I want to know why this happened and why you haven’t corrected it?”

What we fail to realize is God isn’t part of this generation. He doesn’t deal in a “right to know” basis, but on a “need to know basis.” Problems arise when we feel we have a need to know and are entitled to know, but God doesn’t.

Consider this question and some possible answers. Why do you ask God “Why?” 

We sometimes ask “Why” in order to vindicate yourself.  It implies God has done something wrong. He owes us an explanation. When life’s smooth running joy car runs off the road we want to ask, “Why me, God? Why did a bad thing happen to good little ole me?”

It rarely occurs to a person to ask, “Why NOT me?” After all, you know God doesn’t really owe you. What did you do to indebt God to you?

Isn’t it strange we seldom, if ever ask such a question about good things.