Sickness is not Sinfulness

I'm sick right now. Somewhere during the past week I contracted an upper respiratory infection. This has made me think of something that has been misrepresented in modern Christianity: sickness. There are a few perspectives being thrown around regarding this issue right now.

Perspective 1: (Prosperity Gospel) Those who are following God's Will accordingly will not get sick and do not have to fear getting sick. Therefore sickness occurs due to lack of a good relationship with God and a lack of faith.

Perspective 2: (Hyper-conservatism) Sickness is a judgment from God. Those who fall ill or are sick are being sent a message from God and need to repent of their sins and get their lives straightened out.

Perspective 3: (Liberal view) Sickness is part of a sinful world that afflicts Christians because of our presence in that world. God does not regularly intervene, so get to a doctor at your earliest convenience.

Perspective 4: (Balanced view) Sickness and illness are the result of a sinful, fallen world. It occurs for many reasons, but is never outside of God's sovereignty and plan.

I prefer a balanced view, because I consider what God has taught us about sickness and illness. Some sicknesses and illnesses were judgments from God. In 2 Kings 5 we find the story of how Gehazi was punished for his greed with Leprosy. In Leviticus, we see that some illnesses were judgments and God gave specific ordinances to test for that sin. Also, however, we see in  2 Kings 20 that Hezekiah fell sick, but it was not from God. God, however, used that as a point to show His power to Hezekiah. In the New Testament, there is the point where Jesus healed Peter's mother-in-law... no commentary on sin at all. Paul in Philippians 2 talks about a man named Epaphroditus who was sick and almost died. It was not an affliction for God, and it happened because of his sacrificial service to God.

My conclusion: God made man. Man sinned. Sickness entered the world. People get sick. God is sovereign and uses that sickness to try and draw men closer to Him. Occasionally, God might intentionally make a person sick, but it is for His own purposes. In all of this, we are not the judges or determiners of why a person is sick, we are just commanded to love them and provide support (Matt 22:39 & 25:31-46, Gal 6:2, and 1 Thess 5:14). In the end, God is in control and let's leave it that way. If you get sick, I'm sorry, but stop searching for deeper purpose and just ride it out. Let your attitude towards God and your heart focus remain unchanged whether or not you get sick. But, also, don't forget to take in some rest.

God Bless, and Hope you feel better soon.