The Gospel of Luke 5:20-21 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“When Jesus saw their faith, he said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven.” The Pharisees and the teachers of the law began thinking to themselves, “Who is this fellow who speaks blasphemy? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”” (Luke 5:20-21 NIV).

Yes, “Who can forgive sins but God alone?” This is a very timely, and spot on question these religious observers thought in their minds. God alone has the power to release people from the shackles of sinfulness. The reason He stepped down from His heavenly throne, put on flesh and moved in our neighborhood to release us from our sins through the shedding of His blood and bring us to salvation to have life eternal. He is the person of the Lord Jesus Christ the only begotten Son of God who is the exact image of the Father in the flesh. In one interaction with Phillip asking the Lord to show the Father, it is written: “Jesus answered: “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father, and that the Father is in me? The words I say to you I do not speak on my own authority. Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; or at least believe on the evidence of the works themselves.” (John 14:9-11 NIV).

The works of God manifest in the miracles the Lord Jesus performed that brought these religious leaders of the Jews in this cramp house where He is teaching are signs for those who seek God to see and believe. But, wearing the eyepatches of religion hinder people to see things that are truly of God, as these Pharisees and teachers of the law who are on their privileged seats to watch the work of God in Christ Jesus on display. They came not to seek grace but wearing their work of self righteousness based on their religious doctrines and laws.

The person of grace who is in their midst does not need them, and anyone of us who are now reflecting on these passages, to come in their made-over self. He wants us all to come as we are, in whatever state - broken, messed up and even as helpless as this disabled man in serious physical challenge and dependent on others for help. Authentic we come, in the posture to receive. In that raw state of being, as we come like this paralytic, especially those who have not yet come free from the vestiges of religion and worldly concepts, the Lord will declare: “Friend, your sins are forgiven.”.

So, if you haven’t come as you are, it is time to come and let’s join together as one. Don’t let religion and unbelief hold you captive. In Christ Jesus’ presence, when we come believing we are forgiven and redeemed. It is written: “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,” (Ephesians 1:7 ESV).

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
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