Friends, hopefully after reading this entry, you'll experience fulfillment in the Lord through his Word. I've already written on how important the Word of God is in resisting temptation. But this entry is more focused as an example of how to dive into the Word so that we might be encouraged, built up, and satisfied by scripture. Many other things are helpful - fellowship, confession, praise music, reading Christian books, etc. But nothing is a substitute for going straight to the Word.
Jesus really came for sinners. Not sinners who want to think themselves worthy or that they aren't really that bad. Jesus comes for those who has no other place to go with their sin. The following passage is Mark 2:1-17. Come and see who Jesus really is: bold, unapologetic, helpful, personal, and almighty. I've inserted some questions/comments throughout the passage to provoke thought and promote feasting.
Mark 2:1 And when [Jesus] returned to Capernaum after some days, it was reported that [Jesus] was at home.
2:2 And many were gathered together, so that there was no more room, not even at the door. And he was preaching the word to them.
What drew all these people to Christ? Why were they so enamored by Him that the room was packed out? He must have been incredible to listen too!
2:3 And they came, bringing to him a paralytic carried by four men.
2:4 And when they could not get near him because of the crowd, they removed the roof above him, and when they had made an opening, they let down the bed on which the paralytic lay.
Because they trusted in God's power to heal - even greater than the power of paralyzed - they sought out the Lord Jesus and got to Him no matter how full the room was. They were radical, going through the roof!
2:5 And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven."
What was the Lord concerned with, the man's physical condition or spiritual condition?
2:6 Now some of the scribes were sitting there, questioning in their hearts,
2:7 "Why does this man speak like that? He is blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?"
By this point, everyone had heard of Jesus's miracles in healing others, but the scribes, who didn't know who Jesus really was, questioned his authority. Now, this was a crunch time for Jesus. Did He speak weakly and apologize so the scribes would think better of Him, or did He speak boldly, with authority and full of action?
2:8 And immediately Jesus, perceiving in his spirit that they thus questioned within themselves, said to them, "Why do you question these things in your hearts?
2:9 Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say, 'Rise, take up your bed and walk'?
Wow! Our Lord has no fear of the scribes, let alone sin or physical ailment. His boldness is absolutely devastating. He is the Lord and enjoy that He can get it done!
2:10 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins"--he said to the paralytic--
2:11 "I say to you, rise, pick up your bed, and go home."
2:12 And he rose and immediately picked up his bed and went out before them all, so that they were all amazed and glorified God, saying, "We never saw anything like this!"
The Lord uses the healing of physical conditions to show the true evidence of complete spiritual healing. Can you imagine how amazing it would have been to be in that room as the man got up and walked out? God's grace is indeed sufficient to free us from sexual sin.
Mar 2:15 And as he reclined at table in his house, many tax collectors and sinners were reclining with Jesus and his disciples, for there were many who followed him.
Mar 2:16 And the scribes of the Pharisees, when they saw that he was eating with sinners and tax collectors, said to his disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"
Why were the Pharisee's so concerned with what Jesus was doing? Are we ever looking at how we think someone else is spiritually wrong? Especially when we are in blatant sin? We should go to the Lord for He will renew us.
Mar 2:17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners."
Again, the Lord tells boldly who He came for. Not those who think they are self-sufficient, good enough, OK, maybe sin sometimes but overall a good person, no - the Lord came for sinners, people who admit they can't do it and they need the Lord to provide a way to Him. Christ is that way - the only one. And He was bold and powerful for us! Enjoy the Lord and be confident in Him.
Jesus can indeed free you from your sins. All you need to do is stoop down to a level where you admit your desperate need for Him alone. If you don't feel that, then pray that God would humble you and drive you to this confession. Afterall, He gives you everything you need to come to Him, even the faith, desire, and humility. By His Grace, may you be saved and freed from the enslavement of sin!
