When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5 (NIV)
Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. Isaiah 7:14 (NET)
Imagine that while in their courtship relationship, Joseph and Mary had committed fornication, or to use a more familiar term, have had sexual intercourse before the angel came to Mary or even afterwards. Do you think God would have forgiven them if they asked for forgiveness and were truly repentant? I believe God would have forgiven them. But do you also think Mary would fit into God’s eternal purpose or plan anymore? Absolutely not, she would no longer fit into the prophetic condition.
The man with paralysis was also first forgiven, but his paralysis was still there. Was he truly forgiven? Yes, he was. He was truly forgiven, but forgiveness could not take away his paralysis. Yet his paralysis could not also be taken away without forgiveness.
Man finds forgiveness by the blood, but it takes a man who has seen the workings of the cross by faith to overcome the cause of sin – paralysis.
Today many Christians concentrate on forgiveness through the blood provision; but they leave out victory over the cause of sin – the very nature of sin. Many also pride themselves in the provision of the blood to cleanse them after every sin; they have forgotten that God can forgive a man without remembering the sin anymore, but what about the conditions necessary for them to fit into God’s eternal purpose? … a virgin shall conceive… Yes, she shall be a virgin – that is the condition. Yet forgiveness could not have restored Mary’s virginity if she had lost it lustfully, carelessly and foolishly on the platform of pleasure like many are doing today. Think about that friend!
Happy Easter to you all. Great week ahead in Jesus name.
