Forgiveness, Healing, and the Grace of God

You Cannot Add to God’s Perfect Plan

“Truly, this only I have found: that God made man upright, but they have sought out many schemes.” Ecclesiastes 7:29

1. We cannot add to the grace of God and make His plan any better.

2. So it is with salvation and healing.

   a. Salvation: baptism, join our church, give money.

   b. Healing: This is your fault, get right and we will pray.

3. God forgives and heals based on His nature, not ours.

   a. Great multitudes followed Him and He healed them all (addicts, alcoholics, smokers) Matthew 12:15.

   b. “Who forgives all your iniquities. Who heals all your diseases” (Psalm 103:2,3).

4. How do you prepare yourself for healing? You can’t!! Come as you are!!

Forgiveness and Healing are United

“Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.”

3 And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!”

4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? 5 For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk? 6 But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” 7 And he arose and departed to his house.” Matthew 9:2-7

1. Healing is outward redemption

2. Healing is the physical proof Jesus can forgive sins.

3. It is no more difficult for Jesus to heal disease than to forgive sin.

   a. Both are impossible with men.

   b. Both are possible with God.

4. This man was forgiven from the time he asked.

5. Not all sickness is a result of personal sins but all sickness is a result of original sin.

   a. But does God heal us to continue abusing our body?

   b. And does God forgive us so we can continue to sin?

6. God wants us to save us from our sins and from sinning.

Sin and the Sinner: The Adulterous Woman

“So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” 8 And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. 9 Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”11 She said, “No one, Lord. ”And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” John 8:7-11

1. The woman was responsible for and caught in her own sin.

2. Old Testament taught adultery and fornication were capital crimes.

3. Jesus taught adultery and fornication were still sins but forgivable. But continued sins are still hated by God.

4. Jesus did not condemn her but did warn her of more sin.

Sin and the Sick: The Paralytic

“When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”

7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”

8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”

11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”

12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” John 5:6-14

1. His paralysis was caused by sin - self-inflicted.

2. “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you” vs. 14.

   a. Jesus did not condemn him but did not fail to warn him of the consequences of continued sin.

   b. God’s mercy heals like it forgives sin - not by works.

   1. Disease comes from Satan and sinlessness is a determining factor against more sickness.

   2. Jesus healed all and forgave all who came to Him.

   c. Sin is an open door for more and worse sickness.

   d. Forgiveness is the open door to healing (James 5:18).

   1. If Jesus does not condemn you, why do you condemn yourself?

   2. You may be responsible for making yourself sick. Let Jesus be responsible for making you well.

3. Works were not a part for those who came.

   a. Those who had willfully sinned were forgiven:

   1. Liars

   2. Thieves

   3. Fornication

   4. Homosexuals

   5. Sexually Transmitted Disease

   b. Those whose sicknesses were self-inflicted were healed:

   1. Those who eat wrong

   2. Smokers

   3. Alcoholics

   4. Drug abusers

4. Did the woman sin again? Did the man sin again? It is possible. It is probable. Have you sinned again?

5. Numbers 21:8, 9 - The children of Israel looked at the serpent on the pole and healed of a disease that was their own fault.

6. Epaphroditus was sick by his own actions - Philippians 2:26, 27, 30.

7. Healing and forgiveness are a fresh start on a new life.

8. When you do sin, acknowledge your sin to the Lord and you will be forgiven - 1 John 2:1.

9. Make up your mind to use your healing:

   a. To turn from sin. Not take the opportunity to sin again.

   b. To be a blessing and minister to others.