ICS Daily Devotions
The Heart Of God
Luke 5:22-24 But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the man who was paralyzed, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.”
Why did Jesus say “Your sins are forgiven you” first in this passage of the paralysed man being lowered through a hole in the roof by his friends? Most people would expect Jesus to heal the paralysed man physically first as this was his most obvious need. But Jesus was penetrating deeper into the needs of man because of His immense love for His creation. The “lostness” of men is the closest to the heart of God.
There is always a longing in man’s heart to make right our relationship with God. The law teaches us what is sin but by observing it alone, is impossible for us to obtain a right standing before God. How do we face God when the day arrives? Therefore in the above passage, Jesus was more interested in dealing with the issue of the heart although most of us would instead prioritise physical healing of our loved ones. Jesus was more concerned about the forgiveness of their sins rather than healing the paralysed man although both could be done in one breath.
Luke 19:10 For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.
We only live once. When we depart from this earth without having Christ in our lives, we will face eternal condemnation. There is no other way to the Father except through Jesus Christ because He is the way, the truth and the life. It is impossible to stand righteously before God based on self-righteousness, good works, religion or philosophy. We can only be redeemed by the blood of Jesus by acknowledging with our mouths and believing in our hearts that Jesus died for our sins.
We will never know whether an unbeliever will have another opportunity to hear the Gospel before they die. Although both are important, there is a priority to share the Gospel with them over praying for physical healing for Rev 20:15 And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire. The “lostness” of men is the closest to the heart of God and may we also have the same passion for the lost as God does.
Sermon Series: Faith-Filled Friends
