In recent years, many Christians have embraced the idea that physical healing is guaranteed in the atonement of Christ. This belief holds that, just as Jesus’ death and resurrection provided forgiveness of sins, they also guarantee freedom from physical illness in this life. While I firmly believe in God’s power to heal and the reality of miraculous healings, I do not believe that physical healing is an automatic part of the atonement. Here’s why.
Understanding the Core of Christ’s Atonement
The atonement of Christ is the means by which our sins are forgiven and we are reconciled to God. Isaiah 53:5 states that Jesus “was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed.” This passage is often cited to support the idea that physical healing is included in the atonement. However, the primary context of Isaiah 53 is about spiritual healing—our reconciliation to God through forgiveness of sins.
Throughout the New Testament, Christ’s work on the cross is consistently framed as dealing with sin rather than a promise of a life free of physical ailments. Romans 5:8-10, for example, speaks of Christ’s death as the means by which we are justified and saved from God’s wrath, emphasizing the spiritual reconciliation rather than a guarantee of physical health.
Paul’s Perspective on Suffering and Weakness
The apostle Paul’s life and teachings further support this understanding. In 2 Corinthians 12:7-9, Paul describes a “thorn in the flesh” that he repeatedly asked God to remove. Instead of granting physical healing, God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s acceptance of this answer shows that even he, an apostle, did not expect physical healing as an automatic outcome of his faith or of Christ’s work on the cross.
Paul’s writings also consistently present suffering as a means of growth and reliance on God. In Romans 8:18, he writes, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” This perspective acknowledges that, while we may suffer physically now, our ultimate healing and restoration will come in the future, in our glorified bodies.
The Reality of Physical Decay and Death
If physical healing were guaranteed in the atonement, we wouldn’t expect Christians to experience illness, aging, or death. Yet the reality is that faithful believers—including those in Scripture—faced illness, suffering, and death. In 1 Timothy 5:23, Paul advises Timothy to “use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” If healing were a guaranteed part of the atonement, we might wonder why Paul didn’t encourage Timothy to simply claim his healing.
Hebrews 9:27 also reminds us that “it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.” Our physical bodies are subject to decay as part of living in a fallen world. While God, in His sovereignty, may choose to heal us at times, these are acts of grace, not promises we can claim as rights.
The Promise of Eternal Restoration in Christ
The ultimate promise of Scripture is that full healing and restoration will be realized in the life to come. Revelation 21:4 gives us a vision of a future where “he will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore.” This ultimate healing will come when Christ returns and the effects of sin are completely removed.
This future hope doesn’t diminish God’s ability to heal now, but it aligns our expectations with His eternal purposes. Physical healing is not guaranteed in this present life, but we do have the assurance that we will be completely restored in the life to come.
Living in Faith and Trust, Not Expectation of Guaranteed Healing
As believers, we’re called to live in faith, trusting God’s plan for our lives, whether it includes healing or enduring illness. James 5:14-15 encourages us to pray for the sick, demonstrating our faith in God’s power to heal. But the outcome of our prayers is ultimately in God’s hands, and our faith rests in His wisdom, not in a specific result.
Recognizing that physical healing is not promised in the atonement helps us develop a deeper reliance on God. It allows us to trust that He is at work in our lives, even when we face suffering, and that His grace is sufficient. Rather than seeing illness as a lack of faith or something that must always be removed, we can view it as an opportunity to experience God’s presence in our weakness.