The human organism, crowning the creative work of God on this earth, came from the hand of the Creator perfect and with fully developed, perfectly functioning faculties and systems. To govern the profoundly involved functions and the interaction of the various organs of the body, God established certain laws—physiological laws—which were to ensure and maintain the healthy, harmonious action of these varied tissues. God, the author of these laws, uses them in the maintenance of His created works, to wit:
"All parts of the human organism were set in action. The heart, the arteries, the veins, the tongue, the hands, the feet, the senses, the faculties of the mind, all began their work, and all were placed under law. . . .
"God is constantly employed in upholding and using as His servants the things that He has made. He works through the laws of nature, using them as His instruments."—"Ministry of Healing," pp. 415, 416.
We see the outworking of these laws in the smooth, more or less automatic operation of the respiratory, circulatory, digestive, and other systems of the body. Furthermore, the operation of these laws is witnessed in certain pathological conditions, for the fundamental principle and genius of these laws is the promotion and preservation of normal function, or health. When a bone is broken, a laceration occurs, or microorganisms invade the body —that intangible force we call nature immediately mobilizes repair and restorative forces, and concentrates them more or less at the site in the work of restoration or in the eradication of offending foreign bodies or substances.
Thus it is that God, through the natural agencies and forces which He has ordained in the human body, is constantly employed in sustaining and maintaining the life and function of the physical mechanism—through ordained natural law.
With the general increase of knowledge of our day has come a more comprehensive and exact understanding of physiological laws. The layman of today has a more extensive knowledge of the science of physiology and hygiene than did the scientist of a generation ago. However, the researches of science and the increased knowledge relative to the intricate workings of the internal organs and the wonderful correlation between them, instead of simplifying these marvelous chemical processes, have only served to increase the marvel of them, to enhance respect for our bodies, and to inspire in us a more profound regard for our Creator. At the same time, as we observe the certainty of the processes going on, it should inspire in each one a determination to know and observe the biochemical laws with which our bodies have been endowed, and which have been established in the wisdom and beneficence of God "for our good always."
"In teaching health principles, keep before the mind the great object of reform,—that its purpose is to secure the highest development of body and mind and soul. Show that the laws of nature, being the laws of God, are designed for our good; that obedience to them promotes happiness in this life, and aids in a preparation for the life to come."—Id., p. 146.
How prone human beings are to take the wonder and mystery of the human mechanism for granted, and through custom, ignorance, or perverted appetite go on from day to day treating this marvelous organism in an indifferent or haphazard manner, often doing it harm. In spite of the ravages of disease through the centuries, and the frequent occurrence of pathological processes over which we may have little control, natural, physiological laws nevertheless continue to regulate the internal processes of the human organism remarkably well, and it is through these laws that the continuous power of God is ordinarily manifested in our bodies.
The intelligent observance of these laws is the part the human agent is to play in copartnership with the Creator in securing the highest possible well-being of the human body and its harmonious functioning. It has been abundantly proved that living in harmony with the laws of hygiene and physiology yields rich dividends in health, efficiency, increased happiness, and length of life. This reward alone should prove an adequate incentive for observing the principles of healthful living.
Quite apart from the strictly scientific aspect of the question is the respect the Christian pays the Creator by a conscientious regard for the laws which He has ordained in our bodies. We are admonished, "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God." 1 Cor. to:31. The regard we have for these physical laws may be but a reflection of the regard and esteem we hold for the moral laws of God.
"Those who, having had the light upon the subject of eating and dressing with simplicity, in obedience to moral and physical laws, still turn from the light which points out their duty, will shun duty in other things."—"Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene," p. 159.
"Many who profess to love Jesus Christ do not show proper reverence and respect for Him who gave His life to save them from eternal death. He is not reverenced, or respected, or recognized. This is shown by the injury done to their own bodies in violation of the laws of their being."—"Counsels on Diet and Foods," p. 43.
Hence it is that character becomes involved and affected, and the matter of obedience in the physical realm extends over into the spiritual realm. The laws operating in our bodies are inexorable and not to be trifled with, even though the physical penalty for transgression may not be imposed at once. One can be assured, however, that for continued disregard, a toll will eventually be exacted. Quite definite results follow the violation of physiological law, and God cannot maintain the integrity of His law and arbitrarily interpose to stay the natural result of violation.
God does on occasion miraculously heal and restore someone who is in great need. But whereas the experience of divine healing has always been restricted to relatively few, it is the privilege of all who are enlightened to enjoy daily the blessing of purposeful, obedient living that will glorify God in their bodies and spirits, which are His. Even the experience of miraculous healing is not a substitute for obedience, for it is through the medium of His physiological laws and their daily operation in the human body that God ordinarily acts to preserve and maintain the health of His creatures. Note the following:
"The beating heart, the throbbing pulse, every nerve and muscle in the living organism, are kept in order and activity by the power of an infinite God." —"Medical Ministry," p. 8.
"God's healing power runs all through nature. If a human being cuts his flesh or breaks a bone, nature at once begins to heal the injury, and thus preserves the man's life. But man can place himself in a position where nature is trammeled so that she cannot do her work. . . . It is God who has made the provision that nature shall work to restore the exhausted powers. The power is of God. He is the Great Healer."—Id., pp. 11, 12.
"Jesus Christ is the Great Healer, but He desires that by living in conformity with His laws, we may cooperate with Him in the recovery and the maintenance of health. . . .
"God will not work a miracle to keep those from sickness who have no care for themselves, but are continually violating the laws of health, and make no efforts to prevent disease.... God will not work in a miraculous manner to preserve the health of persons who are taking a sure course to make themselves sick, by their careless inattention to the laws of health."—Id., pp. 13, 14.
"It is labor lost to teach people to look to God as a healer of their infirmities, unless they are taught also to lay aside unhealthful practices."—"Ministry of Healing," p. 227.
Comments, I believe, are unnecessary, except to refer to the experience of one in ancient time who sought the blessing of God by an elaborate demonstration that did not include specific obedience to definite counsel. The response of God to that service was, "Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice." I Sam. 15 :22.
For the most part, therefore, we must conclude that in this day God desires to manifest His power in maintaining the well-being of our bodies through the operation of the laws which He has established. It is important that we act in copartnership with Him and perform our part by an intelligent observance of the laws of health. Is it not in this way that we shall make the proper approach to God for the healing of our infirmities?
The attention of the church has been repeatedly called to the importance of health education. Medical missionary work has been established to carry forward this educational effort that is intended to effect reforms in the habits of life and bring the individual into harmony with God's laws, and at the same time make full use of the agencies which He has provided for promoting health of the body. Such a reformation in physical living, bringing an individual into harmony with God's physical laws, is also an experience in victorious living that profoundly affects character development and spiritual life.
"This is true sanctification. It is not merely a theory, an emotion, or a form of words, but a living, active principle, entering into the everyday life. It requires that our habits of eating, drinking, and dressing be such as• to secure the preservation of physical, mental, and moral health, that we may present to the Lord our bodies,—not an offering corrupted by wrong habits, but 'a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God.' "—"Counsels on Diet and Foods," pp. 57, 58.
Such an experience will enable God's people to reach a higher standard—one that will place them in a position to realize in a more marked manner the full and complete blessing of God.
H. M. W.
