The Medical Missionary, vol. 12
August 1903
“Religion and Health” The Medical Missionary, 12, 8, pp. 198-200.
A. T. JONES
THE relationship between religion and heath as it truly is, is to-day very little understood, even by the religious. In this, of course we consider only the religion of the Bible, and I intend to call attention to just a few statements that have a direct bearing upon this subject, and that announce the very principles that are recognized by physicians everywhere as being an essential to recovery from disease, and to good health. MEDM August 1903, page 198.1
For instance, one passage of scripture reads: “Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. The wicked are like the troubled sea which cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. There is no peace, saith my God, to the wicked,” thus showing that peace—the peace of God—has a place and a bearing in healing. “Peace, peace, ... saith the Lord: and I will heal him.” Isaiah 57:19-21. MEDM August 1903, page 198.2
Another: “The inhabitant shall not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” Isaiah 33:24. Thus the Scriptures reveal to us the fact that forgiveness of iniquity has a place in recovery from sickness,—“The inhabitant shall not say, ‘I am sick:’ [because] “the people that well therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” The forgiveness of sin and the peace of God which come to the heart, each of these, and one with the other, are both announced in the Word of God in direct connection with health. What physician is there in the world, even though he be an avowed atheist, who does not hold and teach that peace of mind, quietness of heart and a quiet life are a direct element in recovery from sickness? What physician will not tell you that a disturbed mind, a restless heart, and unquiet life are a direct hindrance to any one’s recovery from sickness? Consequently the Bible presents it to us that there is a direct, specific connection made by the Lord in his Word between his religion and health. MEDM August 1903, page 198.3
Then, the Scriptures say to us, “Take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? Or What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? ... your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.” “Take ... no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought ... of itself.” “Casting all your care upon him, for he careth for you.” These words teach us this very trust in God, this perfect rest in the Lord, which takes away all anxiety, and that itself is an element of good health in recovery from sickness. MEDM August 1903, page 199.1
Again: What is a greater element of health in recovery from sickness, even, than good cheer? What has the Lord said?—“Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” So, in all the perplexities of life, under all the burdens that may come, in all the distresses that we may meet, here is this prescription by the Lord, “Be of good cheer.” And when that is received by each one, the good cheer which comes by that word of the Lord, the blessing of the Spirit of God which brings good cheer, peace, quietness, rest in the Lord, the peace that passeth all understanding,—when these reign in the life, you have the way to health. MEDM August 1903, page 199.2
Another scripture: “A merry heart doeth good like a medicine”—not a silly, giddy, thoughtless heart, but, as I once saw it expressed in an inscription in a dining-hall, “Eat, drink, and be merry, but not foolish.” That is the thought,—not a foolish heart, not a silly, giddy, thoughtless heart, but a heart of good cheer,—“it doeth good like a medicine.” And that is the “medicine” that the Scripture prescribes for us. I could occupy much more space citing scripture after scripture, all revealing to us the fact that the Word of God, the religion of the Bible the religion of Jesus Christ, is intended to be the direct way, the “open sesame” to health. And all show that over and over in the Scriptures, the Lord has united religion and health. MEDM August 1903, page 199.3
Another scripture: “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health.” And the Lord represents himself as “The Lord that healeth thee.” What higher wish could possibly be presented to the human mind than this, “I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.” MEDM August 1903, page 199.4
But the great mischief with the professed religious world is, that they do not enjoy good cheer, they do not have as an element in life that peace which passeth all understanding, that lifts the Christian above all troubles and distresses, that connects him with heaven, and that brings down the joy of the Lord from heaven, giving the peace that passeth all understanding, and thus making it a privilege and a blessing only to live. MEDM August 1903, page 199.5
See how many professed Christians go about with downcast eyes, with long faces and doleful voices. Anybody can do that,—a heathen can do that, especially in this world where we have troubles, trials, and distresses. But Christians are connected with the Source of joy, the Fountain of peace and of good cheer, and consequently Christians are, in this world, to receive from heaven a constant flow of peace, joy, and good cheer, and, with cheery voices, bright eyes, and pleasant faces, to pass it all along to those who do not know this heavenly connection, so that these can see that there is an everlasting blessing and only good in the religion of Jesus Christ, so that they shall want it. It is open and free to everybody. MEDM August 1903, page 199.6
And so, in conclusion, I will quote a verse that tells the whole story in a few words,—Romans 15:13. “Now the God of hope fill you with joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.” There are multitudes of people who go through the world downcast and despairing. But there are Christians on every hand whom the Lord has placed in the world for the express purpose of being filled with all joy and peace and abundance of hope, that they shall pass these along to the hopeless, the sorrowing, and the despairing. MEDM August 1903, page 199.7
O then, Christians, let us all rise to the position that belongs to us as Christians, receiving from the Fountain of life in heaven the joy, the peace, and good cheer that belong to Christians, and pass them on to a sorrowing world in order that God’s saving health may be known among all nations and kindreds of the earth. MEDM August 1903, page 200.1