One of the greatest misconceptions in modern Christian teaching is the overemphasis on behavior modification and moral improvement rather than total heart transformation.
Many times, when we find ourselves in a crisis, we seek God primarily for healing, reform, or relief rather than allowing the trial to put to death the sinful tendencies, selfish ambitions, and ungodly desires that prevent us from walking in the fullness of His purpose. Scripture doesn’t teach that God makes bad people good — He makes dead people alive.
(In the context of this article, healing has to do primarily with soul or material healing, more than bodily healing from sickness)
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Here are 10 reasons the Bible teaches that we need a resurrection far more than mere healing regarding our temporary circumstances.
1. Healing restores the old; resurrection creates something new
Healing often restores us to our previous state, whether physically, emotionally, or spiritually. However, the Bible calls us to something much greater than the restoration of the old — it calls us to the newness of life.
Scripture says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Resurrection brings us into the new life of Christ, transforming us from the inside out, not just fixing what is broken but creating something entirely new.
2. Resurrection requires death
Healing might alleviate symptoms of sin or brokenness, but resurrection begins with dying to self. Jesus taught that the path to life always leads through the cross.
Scripture says: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23).
True transformation comes when we allow God to crucify our sinful tendencies, selfish ambitions, and desires, making way for the power of resurrection.
3. Healing often focuses on external circumstances; resurrection addresses the heart
When we ask God for healing, we often focus on external issues like relationships, health, or finances. But resurrection goes deeper, addressing the root cause — our heart condition.
Scripture says: “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” (Jeremiah 17:9).
God is not content to patch up a broken heart; He wants to give us a new heart and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26).
4. Healing is temporary; resurrection is eternal
Physical and emotional healings are temporary, as they exist within the confines of this mortal life. Resurrection, however, brings eternal life and hope.
Scripture says: “For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive” (1 Corinthians 15:22).
While healing has great value, resurrection connects us to God’s eternal promises far beyond the here and now.
5. Healing leaves us vulnerable to future sin; resurrection empowers us to overcome it
When we seek healing without transformation, we often fall back into old patterns. Resurrection, however, empowers us to live victoriously over sin.
Scripture says: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life” (Romans 6:4).
Through resurrection, we experience the power of the risen Christ, who enables us to walk in freedom and victory.
6. Resurrection aligns us with God’s ultimate purpose
God’s goal is not merely to fix our lives but to conform us to the image of His Son. Healing may address immediate needs, but resurrection aligns us with God’s eternal purpose.
Scripture says: “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29).
By allowing old, sinful patterns to die, we are raised in the likeness of Christ, fulfilling God’s plan for our lives.
7. Healing can be misunderstood as self-sufficiency; resurrection demonstrates dependence on God
When we receive temporary emotional healing, we might mistakenly believe we can maintain our own strength. Resurrection, however, reminds us that we utterly depend on God for life.
Scripture says: “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” (Ephesians 2:4-5).
Resurrection reveals God’s power to bring life from death, leaving no room for self-reliance.
8. Healing focuses on us; resurrection magnifies Christ
Healing often centers on what we want God to do for us — our relief, comfort, and restoration. Resurrection, however, magnifies the power and glory of Christ, who is the resurrection and the life.
Scripture says: “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die” (John 11:25).
Resurrection points us to Jesus, making Him the center of our lives rather than our circumstances.
9. Healing meets needs; resurrection exceeds expectations
Healing can meet our immediate needs, but resurrection brings abundant life that far exceeds anything we could ask or imagine.
Scripture says: “Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20).
Through resurrection, God brings life that surpasses our understanding, transforming our circumstances and destiny.
10. Resurrection is the Gospel message
Ultimately, resurrection is at the heart of the Gospel. Our faith is futile without it, and we remain in our sins.
Scripture says: “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:17).
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of our hope. It proves His victory over sin and death and secures our future resurrection with Him.
Conclusion: The call to resurrection
The Bible is clear: God’s ultimate goal is not merely to heal us but to resurrect us into new life. This process requires us to embrace the cross, allowing the old self to be crucified so that we can experience the transformative power of Christ’s resurrection. While healing addresses specific needs, resurrection transforms our very nature, aligning us with God’s eternal purposes.
Although I am a strong proponent of believing in Jesus for bodily healing (Isaiah 53:4-6; Matthew 8:16,17), as Christians, we must shift our focus from simply asking God to temporarily fix our lives to surrendering our lives entirely to Him. This is not about behavior modification or moral improvement but about total heart transformation. When we embrace the resurrection life, we not only experience freedom and victory in Christ but also become living testimonies of His power and glory.
The question for all of us is this: Are we content with temporary healing, or will we pursue the resurrection power that God offers through Jesus Christ?
Let us choose the latter and walk in the newness of life that only He can provide.
Dr. Joseph Mattera is renowned for addressing current events through the lens of Scripture by applying biblical truths and offering cogent defenses to today’s postmodern culture. To order his bestselling books or to join the many thousands who subscribe to his acclaimed newsletter, go to www.josephmattera.org.
