GOD’S WORD FOR SEPTEMBER 21

We are reading from a daily devotional  called “Running To Win” written by Erwin Lutzer  and the late, great D.L. Moody.   Erwin Lutzer is a light in our day as D.L. Moody was in his.  Besides his many ministries, and many books, Pastor Lutzer was Senior Pastor at Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years and now serves as Pastor Emeritus there.  He is  Chancelor and a former professor at Moody Bible Institute, where he taught Theology and Ministry, and now has numerous radio teachings.

*** ***

THE HEALING THAT MATTERS MOST

Take heart, my son; your sins are forgiven. Matthew 9:2

D.L. MOODY

That was more than his friends expected; they only thought of his body being made whole. So, let us bring our friends to Christ, and we shall get more than we expect.

The Lord met this man’s deepest need first. It may be his sins had brought on the palsy, so the Lord forgave the man’s sin first of all.

ERWIN LUTZER

Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee and upon His arrival in Nazareth, He was met by people carrying a paralytic. They expected only physical healing, but the hapless man also, unexpectedly, received the forgiveness of sins.

Should it surprise us that the first words of Jesus were, “Your sins are forgiven”? In Jewish culture, there was a tight relationship between sin and sickness. For example, when Job’s life came unraveled, his three “friends” kept saying, “Job, what sin have you committed? Admit to it!” (see Job 4–37). There are times when physical sickness is brought on because of sin, but this is not always the case (John 9:1–3). But let’s not miss the point Jesus was making: Physical healing is proof that He can do spiritual healing as well.

But—and this is very important—it is possible to have a physical healing without a spiritual one.  Modern medicine, surgeries, and a host of other things can often prolong a life, but only God can forgive sins. We must distinguish between the healing of the body and the healing of the soul.

Commercials extol some new remedy for the body: drugs, special foods or vitamins, exercise equipment, and so on. But the conversion of the soul is a miracle only God can do.

What is this generation’s need? They need to hear from Christ, “Your sins are forgiven.” Let’s share the gospel so more people might believe and be saved.

    PRAYER

    Father, thank you for forgiving my sins and meeting my deepest need: a relationship with you.

*** ***

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

** *

Romans 12:2 – “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

** *

Ephesians 4:22-24 – “Put off your old self, which is being corrupted, and put on the new self, created to be like God.”

** *

Philippians 1:6 – “He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

** *

Colossians 3:10 – “And have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

** *

Titus 3:5 – “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy.”

** *

2 Timothy 3:16-17

All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness;  so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.”

** *

Galatians 5:22-23

 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,  gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

** *

2 Corinthians 3:18

But we all, with unveiled faces, looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.

** *

Published by liveinthelightofourlord

View all posts by liveinthelightofourlord