Is deliverance always proportional to faith ?

Liba Hopeson *

Faith is essential in the life of a believer. We cannot please God without faith. We are saved by faith. Scripture teaches that God honors faith, sometimes bringing miraculous deliverance. But, does faith always guarantee deliverance ? Do we suffer from illness because of our lack of faith in God ?

Is our failure to overcome difficult times and challenges a result of insufficient faith ? Faith indeed brings healing, wellness, and deliverance, yet it does not always ensure an escape from trials.

Instead, God may permit suffering to fulfill a higher purpose. Even in the face of immense struggles, and sometimes at the brink of death, certain believers exemplify unwavering faith, glorifying God through their endurance.

The Bible presents examples where faith leads to deliverance, as well as instances where, despite steadfast faith, deliverance does not come. When the Israelites were trapped between Pharaoh’s army and the sea, they cried out to God.

Moses told them to trust, and God miraculously parted the waters, delivering them. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s idol, declaring that God could save them–but even if He didn’t, they would remain faithful.

God protected them in the fiery furnace, demonstrating His power. King Herod arrested Peter, intending to execute him. Yet, as the Church prayed, an angel freed Peter from prison, showing God’s ability to rescue His people. When God’s people placed their trust in Him, they experienced miraculous deliverance and witnessed divine intervention. Indeed, faith was the key that unlocked the door to salvation and miracles.

However, there were also instances where individuals, despite their unwavering faith in God, were not delivered from their trials. John the Baptist, a faithful prophet, who prepared the way for Christ, was imprisoned and beheaded. Though he trusted in God, he was not delivered from death. A man full of faith, Stephen preached boldly but was stoned to death.

Instead of being saved from suffering, he was given a vision of Jesus in heaven. Paul endured beatings, imprisonments, and shipwrecks. He fervently prayed and pleaded with God to remove his suffering, but God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you.”

We also learn that the disciples of Jesus Christ and the early believers, having been fully convinced that He is the true Lord and Savior, faced death without fear. Even in the face of horrific and agonizing deaths, they stood firm in their faith until the very end.

Some Christian ministers wrongly preach that all sicknesses and suffering are the result of personal sin and that failure to be delivered from hardship is due to a lack of faith. While faith is crucial, this teaching is flawed. It is a misconception to believe that faith always guarantees healing, deliverance, or escape from suffering.

In John 9: 1-12, Jesus addressed this when His disciples asked if a man was born blind due to his or his parents’ sin. Jesus clarified that his blindness was not a result of sin but occurred so that the works of God might be displayed in his life. Thus, suffering is not always a punishment, nor is deliverance always a proof of faith.

The Bible teaches us that those who pursue righteousness may face persecution, yet they are blessed. Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:10). For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake (Philippians 1:29).

If we do not carry our own cross, we cannot be His disciple (Luke 14:27). Scripture affirms that as believers and followers of Christ, we are called to suffer for His sake. Therefore, to assume that all struggles and hardships stem from a lack of faith is misleading.

Many people ask, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” However, there is a common mistake in this question – assuming that all struggles, hardships, and suffering are inherently bad. The suffering of Jesus, for example, brought salvation to the world. In the same way, our own trials can lead to greater purposes and unseen blessings.

I do not intend to delve deeply into the nature of pain and suffering in this piece. Rather, my goal is to highlight an important truth: faith does not always guarantee deliverance. Yet, even in the absence of deliverance, we can stand in unwavering faith.

The mistaken belief that faith always leads to deliverance is often promoted by those who have personally experienced miraculous healings from God. While I do not question the authenticity of their healing, I take issue with their claim that sickness and suffering are solely the result of a lack of faith.

I believe that many do not receive healing because of lack of faith. If you find yourself in that position, I pray that God strengthens your faith. However, if you are a person of faith and still do not experience healing or deliverance from trials, continue to trust in Him –even on your deathbed. God’s ways are beyond our understanding, and He works uniquely and wondrously in each of our lives.

To all preachers and teachers: exercise great caution. Proclaim the truth, but do not establish absolute doctrines based on your personal experiences or opinions. Learn to distinguish between general truths and absolute truths.

It is true that through faith, we can receive healing – but this is not an absolute guarantee. If we believe and follow Christ, we will also experience and endure suffering. The kingdom of God has been inaugurated, but it is not yet fully consummated. Until that day comes, perfection will not exist on earth.

The Bible offers invaluable guidance on wealth, reminding us that while it has its place; it should never be our ultimate pursuit. Yet, some preachers place undue emphasis on material riches, portraying them as the true mark of faith.

This has led many to assume that financial hardship is a sign of weak faith. I once met a man who was utterly discouraged after hearing a preacher declare that the poor have no place in heaven – a tragic distortion of Biblical truth.