Christ’s Power Over Sin

²And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.  ³And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.  –Matthew 9:2, 3 (KJV) 

We know that in the world today that people continue to question Jesus and what He has done.  They also question what the Lord has taught us.  Does Christ in fact have the authority to forgive sins and to heal the sick?  We as believers answer emphatically yes.  Jesus has the power to forgive sins, and He has the power to cancel the effect of sin.  As the hymn says, “He breaks the power of cancelled sin.”  Jesus overcame sin by offering Himself as a pure and spotless sacrifice for sin –  the ultimate sacrifice for the sins of the world.  Having received Him as Savior, His blood is then upon us for our forgiveness – our sins are then washed away.  And were we to sin, the Scripture says that we have an advocate with the Father – Jesus Christ the righteous (I John 2:1).   

Think about how we can forgive one another, and Jesus said that we are to do just that. Yet, you and I are helpless to remove the stain of sin left upon the human heart.  Only Christ can accomplish this for us.  Something else to consider is the power of forgiveness in our lives.  We all need the forgiveness which the Lord offers.  When Jesus forgives us an oppressive weight is lifted from us.  I once read the following story which touched my heart: 

There's a Spanish story of a father and son who had become estranged. The son ran away, and the father set off to find him. He searched for months to no avail. Finally, in a last desperate effort to find him, the father put an ad in a Madrid newspaper. The ad read: Dear Paco, meet me in front of this newspaper office at noon on Saturday. All is forgiven. I love you. Signed, Your Father. On Saturday 800 Pacos showed up, looking for forgiveness and love from their fathers. 

Countless people everywhere need the forgiveness the Lord offers.  We need not try to go through life carrying the burden and weight of sin any longer.  Christ is perfectly willing to come into our hearts and offer grace, mercy, and forgiveness.  Trusting the Lord lifts from us a heavy burden.  Stop carrying those burdens yourself; give them over to the Lord.  He is able to save us and to remove the devastating consequences of sin.  Trust in the Lord and claim His power right now.