In 1948 when it was started, it would have been more honest to have named it a National Infirmity Service; for then it would have been seen simply to offer help if we get ill, which is actually how it is.

The National ‘patch-up’ Service

The name ‘National Health Service’ makes an illegitimate offer of health to people in the United Kingdom, because it implies real health, which is something more abundant than just a cure for illness. So we get seduced into believing that it offers more than it can. Not only that, but there are “transhumanism” plans to implant technological devices and biological substances into human beings allegedly to make life easier and increase human potential.¹

Of course, lives are saved in the NHS, and many people are cured as medical or surgical interventions enable their bodies to heal naturally. But it must be recognised that many patients remain infirm in various ways, or depend upon continuing medication or other supports supplied by welfare services. At present, Health Service treatment usually amounts to a perfunctory patch-up at best, which is usually better than nothing. But can true health and healing ever honestly be claimed by such agency? Yet multitudes afflicted with dis-ease are persuaded that it provides their only hope.

Medical interference (Covid 19)

It seems that in the future patients could be seriously interfered with, allegedly for their own benefit, without fully realising what is going on. Tools of medical technological science are available for political agendas according to advice from agnostic scientists, and they can be manipulated for profit by multi-national drug companies.

Yet multitudes afflicted with dis-ease are persuaded that it (the NHS) provides their only hope.

Christians therefore need to be careful to seek discernment from the Lord; and we shall need godly courage to say “No!” sometimes.

When Covid-19 struck, the ‘NHS’ was harnessed by national government and advised by the World Health Organisation. It pursued an allegedly altruistic but actually cynical policy of economic management in order to deliver insufficiently tested treatment. The same sort of thing is planned for whenever another 'epidemic' will be declared by the WHO.

Bible believing Christians should carefully note, however, that according to the Word of God (Leviticus 13) quarantine is only appropriate for people proven to be seriously infectious. And they should be aware that there is no recognition by secular political powers of the wisdom of God, or that He knows all that is going on, and is actually in charge, or that His judgements are coming.

Kingdom healing

There is another dimension to healing which is ignored by such services, namely the shalom of the Creator of the universe, the wholesome peace and healing of the God of Israel that will come into the spirit, soul and body of anyone who receives His only begotten Son Jesus with Holy Spirit into their heart. The leading of Holy Spirit will change our lives, drawing us closer to Him.

It (the NHS) pursued an allegedly altruistic but actually cynical policy of economic management in order to deliver insufficiently tested treatment.

Damaging physical effects of emotional, psychological and spiritual stress are not well recognised in scientific medicine; but the Lord can move us into His peace in all these areas if we persevere with Him (Rom 5:1-5). As we follow the instructions of God who gave us life, we find ourselves healthier.

According to the word of God in Deuteronomy 28, both our diseases and also the pollution of the earth are ultimately the result of disobeying Him. We can, however, be delivered from agents of death when we are alert to His guidance, and call on the spiritual authority of Jesus’ name for deliverance.² And after we pass through death we can live with Him for ever. Holy Scripture promises that those of us who overcome according to His way through our afflictions and experiences in this world will become equipped in character to join Jesus at His wedding feast and to reign with Him when He returns (2 Pet 1:10-11, Heb 6:11-12, etc.). And His return could occur soon.

People who listened carefully to the still small voice of Holy Spirit whilst many were frightened by Covid-19 became aware that there were better ways of progressing through that trouble. Physical and spiritual immunity can be strengthened to defend a person against all sorts of ‘viruses’.

Replacement of Christians

Christians in whom Holy Spirit lives are now finding themselves excluded from services controlled by the state, particularly from the public interface, notably in the fields of education and mental health.

Physical and spiritual immunity can be strengthened to defend a person against all sorts of ‘viruses’.

Professionals and many others who see the truth of what is going on are being silenced. Effective undermining of Christendom by secularists might actually signify removal of the Christian spiritual influence that has been holding lawlessness back, as described in 2 Thessalonians 2:7. The singling out of Christians for exclusion nevertheless amounts to tacit acknowledgement of the authority of Jesus, which is now being widely opposed by the secular world in hidden dread of His powerful return.

Gatherings of true believers will need to seek the Lord to equip them both to educate their children and also to be hospitable and understanding towards people with mental health issues who seek salvation in Jesus.

Seeking the Lord in suffering

Many people have lost the practice of waiting on God and trusting Him when they suffer. Folk want a quick fix, and secular agents of this world are always ready to offer one. So repentance is called for. Once you have given your life to Lord Jesus He is in charge of it. You can tell Him your troubles and you can listen for what He says to you. He will provide the way through whatever trials you might experience. Prayer for healing can be offered for anything, with the expectation that it will be heard by God and responded to (Deut. 4:7b, James 5:13-18). Regaining sufficient patience for this depends upon receiving Holy Spirit (Gal 5:22). Bible believing Christians can say with David, “O Lord my God, I called to you for help and you healed me.” (Ps 30:2)

Prayer for healing can be offered for anything, with the expectation that it will be heard by God and responded to.

Jesus was made perfect through suffering by being obedient to His Father (Heb 2:10 & 5:9). The perfunctory secular solutions we settle for may often be helpful to a point, though certainly not always. If the first thing we do is to seek the Father’s face in the name of Jesus and accept His guidance (which He will always give us peace about), He will use our dis-ease to mature us and eventually bring us through to the completeness He desires for His glory. For “…in all things God works for the good of those who love Him..” (Rom 8:28).

Endnotes
1 See for example Yuval Harari’s book Homo Deus.
2 As witness see G. Otis, Transformations ll, The Sentinel Group.

John Gordon was formerly a GP, a psychiatrist and a psychoanalyst. He is now a licensed minister in The Order of Jacob’s Well.