24/01/2011 - SIN AND GOOD CHEER

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When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” (Matthew 9:2)

One of the worst things that can happen to man is to fall into sin. When this occurs, his relationship with the Lord is interrupted and the evil one starts to reign over his life. Consequently, the days become gloomy, that person’s spirit gets low and he acts as if he had some kind of \”spiritual paralysis.\” My brethren, the devil does everything to cause God’s children to fall into his traps. For example, in order to take a servant of the Lord to distance himself from the Father’s house, Satan fix the most beautiful woman up with the ugliest man, the most beautiful man with the most rejected woman – or even someone of the same sex!

The enemy also provides opportunities for people to be dishonest, hypocritical, malicious, etc. In short, he does everything to snatch them from the Lord’s presence – and there are many fools who fall for his lies. However, they are later put to shame, sadness and a lot of other terrible feelings which will cause them to lead a miserable life.

The verse we have just read tells us of a paralytic who had many sins. He who sins paralyzes his spiritual life because transgressions prevent God’s action in his life. At first, he is even \”helped\” by the devil in order to obtain some success. Then, when he is infected by the spirit of death and commits a sinful act he thinks that the Lord does not care about certain attitudes he takes and that he is being blessed. Sheer mistake!

That man, who was lying motionless on a bed, was carried by four friends who, upon hearing the Master\’s teachings, had faith to take that sick man to the Lord. This should be done with all who suffer, because when they hear the good word and believe in it, they are forgiven and will be able to get up and take their place in Christ. When He saw the faith those men had, the Lord honored it and told the paralytic that his sins had been forgiven and that he should be of good cheer.

Now, he who is discouraged has very little willpower to stand up, but once his sins are forgiven – which means that nothing can separate him from God or keep the divine power from operating in his life – must cheer up and consider himself a winner. Whoever is forgiven by the Lord has his \”record clean\”! It is as if he had never transgressed because now he is completely free to do, in the name of the Lord, what any faithful servant has already done.
 
My brethren, if there is something that separates you from the Almighty, why don’t you confess it now and ask for God\’s forgiveness? Just be honest and open your heart in order to be forgiven and to avoid being condemned. Enjoy this moment and make amends with the Father!

In Christ with love,

R. R. Soares