Healthful Living a Part of the Gospel

In the Savior’s method of healing there were lessons for His disciples. Only the power of the Great Healer could work the cure, but Christ made use of simple and natural remedies. He taught that disease is the result of violating God’s laws, both natural and spiritual. The great misery in the world would not exist if people lived in harmony with the Creator’s plan. He taught that health is the reward of obedience to the laws of God. The Great Physician had spoken to His people from the pillar of cloud: “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, ... I will put none of the diseases on you. ... For I am the Lord who heals you.” Exodus 15:26.HH 377.7

For the sick we should use the remedies that God has provided in nature and point them to Him who alone can restore. We should teach them to believe in the Great Healer, to take hold of His strength.HH 378.1

Only as we receive of Christ’s love, through faith, can the life-giving energy flow from us to the people. There were places where the Savior Himself could not do many mighty works because of their unbelief. Today, as well, unbelief separates the church from her divine Helper. Her lack of faith disappoints God and robs Him of His glory. Where there is no active labor for others, love dies down and faith grows dim.HH 378.2

Angels marvel at our shallow appreciation of God’s love. How would a mother and father feel if they knew that their child, lost in the cold and the snow, had been left to die by those who might have saved it? The sufferings of every person are the sufferings of God’s child, and those who reach out no helping hand to their dying fellow beings stir up His righteous anger.HH 378.3