Wow I seem to have riled up Tinka. But I must tell him that NO I am NOT "the typical sympathizer" nor can I speak to whether " WAS TOMMY EVER A BRETHREN OR JUST TOOK THE BEST PLACE OF HIDING SO HE COULD CARRY OUT HIS FANTASIES OF CRIME. THAT IS WHERE MOST HIDE. IN THE CHURCH." I do not know the answer to that.
And, No, Bob Pickle neither am a Tommy defender. All I believe is that God Jesus loves all - sinner and saint. He died for all those who are whole and those like Tommy Shelton who need a physician literally and spiritually ( don't we all?). It has been said, and I would like to think you believe also, that God hates sin but loves the sinner. Not by a long shot was I suggesting that I am in sympathy with Tommy's sins alleged or otherwise. But I feel empathy for the stricken Tommy Shelton and pray that God will make him fully WHOLE.
I was, however, responding to an assertion by G A Joy that "Now, for the truth of the matter...I categorically DENY that Christ went about healing all...he healed those who had Faith, a fruit of the Spirit." Certainly He did not go about healing all, but there there are SOME whom He healed not because they expressed their faith or because they believed in Him (at least one did not even know whom He was.) Of the man at the Pool :
John 5: And he that was healed wist not who he was: for Jesus has conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
6: Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple an d said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
Bob Pickle quotes EGW : "Jesus does not ask this sufferer to exercise faith in Him. He simply says, 'Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.' But the man's faith takes hold upon that word. Every nerve and muscle thrills with new life, and healthful action comes to his crippled limbs. Without question he sets his will to obey the command of Christ, and all his muscles respond to his will. Springing to his feet, he finds himself an active man" (DA 202-203).
John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed and walk.
:9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath
I suggest that at the instant of Jesus' command, quite independent of, and totally without "the man's faith takes hold upon that word" the man was made whole. In that instant it took for the man to be healed there was no time for any mental reaction on his part. He, Christ, spoke and, irresistibly, it was done. There is nothing in the text as far as I am concerned to suggest otherwise. Faith came later, perhaps. That's my story and I am sticking to it!
I do not limit God's power to heal Tommy Shelton if that is His will. God's healing grace is his to implore. His forgiving mercy is also his to appropriate. As a Pastor, Tommy knows what he must do to be heard by God.
