He Has The Right

{Matthew 9:5 NKJV}

For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? Which is easier? Jesus posed this question after a scribe accused Him of blasphemy, a crime which was punishable by death according to the Law of Moses. Of course it is easier to say your sins are forgiven. For how can anyone say of another that his or her sins have actually been forgiven? How can we know for sure that even our own sins have been forgiven? We believe they have by faith; the faith we have in God and His word. When Jesus told the man his sins were forgiven He was taking on the authority of God. For only God has the authority and the right to forgive sin. We can forgive trespasses against each other but we cannot forgive others trespasses against God! We have no right to give absolution of someone else’s sin regardless of who we are in Christ. We do have the authority given to us by Jesus to preach Gods word and tell others that HE can and will forgive them. Jesus proved that day that He really does have the authority to forgive sin. When He told the man to arise and walk the people knew immediately that only God could do that. A teacher of the Law, Nicodemus, would make the statement; “We know You are from God for no one could do the works You do unless God was WITH him.” Forgiveness of sin takes place in the heart, out of sight of man. Physical healing is done right in front of our eyes. Because someone is not healed physically does not mean their sins have not been forgiven and because someone is healed physically does mean their sins have been forgiven. Even before Jesus died on the Cross that our sins may be forgiven He forgave this man. He could do that because He knew the Cross was ahead of Him. If you need your sins forgiven then come to Christ and ask Him. He will say to you just as He said to that man; “Arise and walk.” Arise and walk in your new life! Your sins have been forgiven! I say that not on my authority, but on the Authority of the Almighty God. We walk by faith, not by sight.