(Read Mark 2:1-12.) MAR 2:1-12
IT is a fact no less sorrowful than true, that 1 man by nature knows not his utter helplessness in the sight of God, and consequently fails to appreciate God's unbounded love in giving His only begotten Son to die for the ungodly, even while they were "without strength." (Rom. 5:6.) ROM 5:6
When one is in any measure conscious of the necessity of righteousness in order to appear before God, the first thought almost invariably is, that such righteousness must be wrought out by doing good works, keeping the commandments of the law, or obeying the precepts of the gospel; not understanding that fallen human nature is incapable of doing anything which can be acceptable to God, nor knowing the force of that scripture, “They that are in the flesh cannot please God." (Rom. 8:8.) ROM 8:8
The case of the man who was sick of the palsy, as recorded in the Gospels, beautifully illustrates this truth, and also exemplifies the way in which the Lord meets the necessity of the helpless sinner.
A palsied man, who is so prostrate that he is "borne of four," is brought unto Jesus, and let down on a bed or couch before Him.
It is just a picture of man as a sinner, altogether incapable of moving hand or foot towards God. There he is, completely powerless, lying before Jesus, who, though " found in fashion as a man,” is in truth" the mighty God." And what is the first act of this great and gracious One? Does He comply with the desire of those who bring the man to Him, by communicating strength to his paralyzed limbs? He does indeed, in due time; but He first surprises all who hear Him by saying to the sick of the palsy, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.”
The man is brought for help and healing, but Jesus speaks of "forgiveness of sins.”
He knows what is IN man, and what man is.
He penetrates beneath the surface to the source. “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do." (Heb. 4:13.) HEB 4:13 He knows that the cause of man's helplessness and misery is SIN, that root of all bitterness. To put away sin He came into the world, He shed His precious blood, He died upon the cross. He put it away, root and branch, "by the sacrifice of HIMSELF." (Heb. 9:26); HEB 9:26 and having finished the work which God gave Him to do, He is now seated “on the right hand of the Majesty on high." (Heb. 1:3.) HEB 1:3 For that reason, in the case of the poor paralytic, the Lord goes at once to the root of the disease, and pronounces with divine authority the forgiveness of his sins; and then, and not till then, does He give strength to his fixed and helpless limbs to rise up, and walk.
Do you, dear reader, know the forgiveness of your sins through the precious blood of Christ? Or are you seeking to be justified before God by works? The word of God which is truth, declares that we cannot be justified before God by works; but that we are helpless sinners, incapable of doing anything towards saving ourselves. A sinner has neither the strength nor the will to walk in the ways of God, and to serve Him, while he remains unreconciled to God through not believing the record concerning His Son.
But when, through grace, he believes in Christ as the One who, " when we were yet without strength, in due time died for the ungodly," he is saved with a present and an everlasting salvation.
With this salvation is given power, through the Holy Spirit leading the soul to abide in Christ, power to walk in the ways of the Lord “unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work." (Col. 1:10) COL. 1:10 So that good works are the fruits of faith in Christ; but until God's record concerning His Son is believed, there can be no fruit borne to God; for “without faith it is impossible to please Him." (Heb. 11:6.) HEB 11:6
Accordingly, in the instance before us, the Lord having made known to the poor man the forgiveness of his sins, adds the gift of strength, to enable him to rise, take up his bed, and walk; and so he goes forth before them all, insomuch that they are all amazed, and glorify God. Yes! God is glorified in the holy, upright, intelligent and devoted 'walk of His saints, in newness of life; having created them in Christ Jesus unto good works, which He hath before ordained that they should walk in them. (Eph. 2:10.) HEB 2:10
But the first point for the sinner to have settled in his conscience before God is the forgiveness of his sins, through the knowledge of Him who " came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance " (Mark 11:17); MAR 11:17 who " once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust "(1 Peter 3:18); 1 PET 3:18 who “is the propitiation for the whole world” John 2:2); JOH 2:2 and who, as "the Lamb of God,” takes away "the sin of the world." (John 1:29.) JOH 1:29
WHAT IS BELIEVING? 'Tis submission
To the God of love and grace;
'Tis to own one's true condition,
And to take the sinner's place;
'Tis to bow the soul before Him,
And to look to Christ, His Son;
'Tis to worship and adore Him,
Owning thus what grace has done.
(See Rom. 10:8-17.) ROM 10:8-17