Category: Salvation

Palsy #7

Friday, October 20, 2023

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What exactly is “palsy?” Why does the Bible feature it?

Once Christ pronounced the man forgiven of his sins, unbelieving Israel regarded it as blasphemy (speaking against, talking evil about, disrespecting God). “This man blasphemeth” (Matthew 9:3). “Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:7). “Who is this which speaketh blasphemies? Who can forgive sins, but God alone?” (Luke 5:21). Such reactions proved they really had no concept of Messiah or His purpose. Consequently, He demonstrated He could forgive sins. Before their very eyes, He restored the paralytic to health—and they could not deny it! As it was stated at His incarnation, “…[T]hou shalt call his name JESUS [‘JEHOVAH-Saviour’]: for he shall save his people from their sins” (Matthew 1:25).

The other paralytic the Lord Jesus healed was the servant of a (Gentile) Roman centurion (Matthew 8:5-13). Here, the Lord showed He had the Gentiles in mind during His earthly ministry. He aimed to convert Israel so that He could then reach those Gentiles through redeemed Israel. Unfortunately, while the Gentiles were willing to accept and believe Messiah, Israel was not!

Regarding the Apostle Peter healing paralytic Aeneas in Acts 9:32-35, this miracle was performed in conjunction with the start of Paul’s ministry earlier in the chapter. Though Paul’s Gentile apostleship is in effect, it will not go on forever. At some point, our mystery program will close so God can continue the prophetic program and raise Israel to kingdom glory (as symbolized with Aeneas). Aeneas had suffered palsy eight years. Eight in Scripture is the number of new beginnings (seven signifying perfection or completion). When Messiah Jesus comes back, Israel’s national spiritual palsy will be cured (Isaiah 59:20–60:3; Zechariah 8:20-23).

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind. But be ye glad and rejoice [be of good cheer!] for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy” (Isaiah 65:17,18).

Palsy #6

Thursday, October 19, 2023

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What exactly is “palsy?” Why does the Bible feature it?

Jesus’ healing miracles were intended to validate, authenticate, or substantiate the Gospel of the Kingdom He was preaching: “Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert” (Isaiah 35:4-6). See how this compares to Matthew 11:1-6 and Luke 7:18-23.

In the case of paralytics—such as Matthew 9:6 (cf. Mark 2:10,11; Luke 5:24)—Christ was proving He could restore Israel to spiritual mobility by correcting (forgiving) their sin problem. Though disabled, by His power they would (and will) walk in His statutes under the New Covenant, serving as His earthly people throughout the endless ages to come (Ezekiel 11:19,20; Ezekiel 36:26,27). In Matthew 9:6 (cf. Mark 2:10,11; Luke 5:24), Jesus’ title is “the Son of man,” which not only underscores His humanity but also His earthly authority. He has the right to reign in the Earth for God’s glory (what Adam failed to do in Genesis chapter 3!).

Observe Daniel 7:13,14: “I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

Yet, during His earthly ministry, Israel doubted Jesus really was whom He claimed to be….

Palsy #5

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What exactly is “palsy?” Why does the Bible feature it?

Sin separates the sinner from God. It is a barrier that needs to be overcome, a chasm that must be bridged, a problem that needs to be corrected, a disease that must be cured. However, the sinner is utterly helpless to resolve the situation—though he tries to deny it, diminish it, or manage it, it still remains. This is true on an individual level and a national level. As touching the nation Israel, the New Covenant serves a two-fold purpose. Firstly, God in His grace will deal with Israel’s sins committed under the Old Covenant (Law of Moses). Secondly, He will redeem, bless, and enable Israel to cause her people to do His will in the Earth.

Observe Jeremiah 31:31-34, noticing verse 34 in particular: “[31] Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: [32] Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD: [33] But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. [34] And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.”

This is the forgiveness associated with the paralytic “son” or “man” of Matthew 9:2, Mark 2:5, and Luke 5:20….

Palsy #4

Tuesday, October 17, 2023

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What exactly is “palsy?” Why does the Bible feature it?

“Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9:2). “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5). “Man, thy sins are forgiven thee” (Luke 5:20). This healing of the paralytic is performed in conjunction with the forgiveness of sins of a certain “son” or a “man.” Who does this cured person represent?

If we are Bible students, this title “son” should remind us of verses such as Exodus 4:22,23: “And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: And I say unto thee, Let my son go, that he may serve me: and if thou refuse to let him go, behold, I will slay thy son, even thy firstborn.” Also, Hosea 11:1: “When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt.” Israel is God’s son-nation in the Earth. As a son works with his father in the family business, so Israel was to accomplish God’s will in the Earth.

Alas, like all descendants of Adam, the Israelites had a sin problem—a sin problem that spiritually incapacitated them. Sin is a spiritual disease: it disables the spiritual body just like physical disease immobilizes the physical body. How can they possibly serve Him in the Earth? This is the lesson to be learned with the healing of the paralytics in the Bible. If Israel is to function as God’s kingdom of priests in the Earth, He must address their spiritual infirmity. Like the man afflicted with physical palsy, they are spiritually bedridden, for spiritual palsy has stricken them! They can do nothing for Him, and they are just as powerless to do anything for themselves.

Like Pharaoh kept Israel in bondage, so sin enslaves them. In both cases, the LORD must intervene to liberate them. Christ healing the man sick of the palsy (paralytic) represents God’s restoring Israel to service (spiritual mobility)….

Palsy #3

Monday, October 16, 2023

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What exactly is “palsy?” Why does the Bible feature it?

Let us recall how the name “palsy” is actually an altered form of the word “paralysis.” Whereas modern English speakers rarely use “palsy” alone, it is still found in the titles of medical conditions such as “Bell’s palsy” (facial paralysis) and “cerebral palsy” (paralysis due to an abnormal or damaged brain). These are examples of muscle weakness disrupting or preventing mobility and/or movement.

Going back to Matthew 9:1-8: “[1] And he entered into a ship, and passed over, and came into his own city. [2] And, 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. [3] And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. [4] And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? [5] For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? [6] But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. [7] And he arose, and departed to his house. [8] But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men.”

Also recorded in Mark 2:1-12 (additional details) and Luke 5:17-26 (even more details), Christ Jesus’ healing of this bedridden paralytic is connected to a “son” or a “man” whose sins are forgiven. “Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee” (Matthew 9:2). “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5). “Man, thy sins are forgiven thee” (Luke 5:20). Herein is the key to unlocking the riddle of palsy in Scripture….

Know the Grace Life

Monday, October 2, 2023

“Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace” (Romans 6:11-14 KJV).

Dear friend, would you like to know the grace life?

The God of the Bible is currently performing a mighty work, but we cannot participate unless we identify and apply His blueprints or instructions. Our goal in Christian living and ministry should be according to God’s will, not man’s will. The Holy Spirit is not interested in promoting man’s unending theological speculations, starting denominational systems, or creating slaves for religious leaders.

Christ should be formed in us (Galatians 4:19). We should be strengthened with might by God’s Spirit in the inner man (Ephesians 3:16). The Pauline design for the edification of the believer is how we exit spiritual kindergarten and enter grace university and beyond. Godly edifying (see 1 Timothy 1:3,4)—being built up by the Word of God’s Grace—is our emphasis. Doctrine matters! “And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32). Here are the Books of Romans through Philemon.

“In whom [Christ] all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit” (Ephesians 2:21,22). “For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again” (2 Corinthians 5:14,15). “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6,7).

Having presented advanced studies of the “Original 7” devotionals, we can progress toward #5000!

Know Your Apostle

Sunday, October 1, 2023

“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:…” (Romans 11:13 KJV).

Dear friend, would you like to know your Apostle?

Read Hebrews 5:11-14. Though they possessed the Hebrew Scriptures for over 1,500 years (Romans 3:1,2), ancient Israel did not reach spiritual maturity because they did not follow God’s pattern for development. They should have progressed from a diet of spiritual “milk” to “strong meat,” growing from spiritual “babes” to “them that are of full age” (adults). The writer of Hebrews laments how although Israel should be able to teach the Word of God to the world, stunted growth requires Israel must first be taught again the very basics. They had not listened to God’s spokesman to them (especially Moses’ ministry)!

As concerning us, Paul is our apostle (today’s Scripture), the Lord Jesus Christ’s “sent one” or spokesman to us (Acts 26:16-18). If we reject Christ’s messenger to us, we refuse Christ Himself, and we thus refuse Father God who sent Christ as His messenger (see Matthew 10:40; Luke 10:16; John 13:20). Also consider the Holy Spirit’s instructions through Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1 and 1 Corinthians 14:37,38.

Paul is the “wise masterbuilder” (1 Corinthians 3:9-11) for this “the Dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:1,2). His inspired writings of Romans through Philemon are the blueprints for God’s current building project. The foundation is Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (1 Corinthians 3:10,11; cf. Romans 16:25), which is Christ as presented in the Pauline epistles, Romans through Philemon. Unless we build on Christ according to mystery, it is not what God is doing today—and it is “wood, hay, stubble” (worthless). Returning to the Jesus Christ of prophecy (outside of Paul’s ministry) is to preach and use “another Jesus,” “another spirit,” and “another gospel” (see 2 Corinthians 11:3,4).

Read Romans 16:25,26. Father God will “stablish” (stabilize) us spiritually according to: (1) Paul’s Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:3,4), (2) the preaching of Jesus Christ according to the revelation of the mystery (Paul’s epistles, Romans through Philemon), and (3) the Scriptures of the prophets (all of the Bible in light of Pauline revelation). Knowing God’s messenger to us, we know His will for us. Knowing God’s will for us, we can now have faith in it, and accomplish it with Him!

Know Right Division

Saturday, September 30, 2023

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV).

Dear friend, would you like to know right division?

It truly is a sad state of affairs when most people who possess a Bible have no idea how to use it. They appeal to “scholars” and manmade systems for light, but often receive nothing but further darkness because the blind lead the blind (see Matthew 15:12-14). If we have even the slightest hope of extracting the spiritual profit God the Holy Spirit placed in His inspired and preserved words, we must pay attention to His words instead of the words of man’s “wisdom” (1 Corinthians 2:10-16).

The key to understanding and enjoying the Bible is 2 Timothy 2:15. We are not told to merely study Scripture, but rightly divide it. The Apostle Paul explains how he rightly divided the Word of Truth in Ephesians chapter 2. “Time past” (verses 11,12) is the period on the Bible timeline when God dealt with mankind on the basis of circumcision (Israel, Jews) and uncircumcision (nations, Gentiles). This is Genesis all the way into early Acts. “But now (verses 13-18) is Paul’s ministry (Acts chapter 9 onward, including Romans through Philemon), when God does not distinguish between Jew and Gentile because He has broken down this “middle wall of partition.” In “the ages to come” (verses 6,7), we the Church the Body of Christ will rule and reign in the heavenly places.

It is not enough to divide truth from error, or Old Testament from New Testament, or Israel from “the church,” or Judaism from Christianity. We must rightly divide Israel from the Church the Body of Christ, Peter from Paul, law from grace, Earth from Heaven, prophecy from mystery. Prophecy, what God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began (Acts 3:21) cannot be the same as mystery, what God kept secret since the world began but has now revealed through Paul’s ministry (Romans 16:25,26). If we do not recognize these dispensational distinctions, then we will stumble over Bible “contradictions” and have no idea where we are on the Bible timeline or what God’s will for us even is. Right division will grow us up!

Know the Right Bible

Friday, September 29, 2023

“And when he [Barnabas] had found him [Saul of Tarsus, the Apostle Paul], he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch” (Acts 11:26 KJV).

Dear friend, would you like to know the right Bible?

Human nature rebels at authority. This spirit of autonomy—“I will be my own god!”—has created our fallen, broken world. Concerning Bible manuscripts, there is a preserved text (God’s Word) and there is a counterfeit text (Satan’s word). For thousands of years, “scholars” have used human “wisdom” to adjust the Bible text to say what they feel constitutes the closest approximation to its original wording. The general public knows practically nothing about this, so they assume the plethora of modern English versions are noble attempts to update the Bible. Alas, they have not done research—and people who know the truth generally do not care to admit that God’s Scriptures have been mutilated in the name of “scholarship.” Strangely, there are people who actually believe Hebrew and Greek dictionaries, commentaries, and theology textbooks long before they believe Bible verses!

As English-speaking people, we use the King James Bible. Every verse that should be in the Bible, is in the King James Bible—and these competent men following the text of the Protestant Reformation rendered God’s Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek words into our language. We need to be thankful for our English Bible, and not let today’s “scholars” employ their supposed “wisdom” to convince us their worthless textual speculations are superior to the eternal words of the eternal God.

The disciples were called Christians first in Antioch, Syria (see today’s Scripture), which is the origin of our King James Bible’s underlying manuscripts. On the other hand, modern scholars blindly worship the manuscripts from Alexandria, Egypt—advertising the fact they are ignorant of the Bible’s negative view of Alexandria (see Acts 18:24-26). According to Scripture, no local church was ever founded in Alexandria. Egypt is a type of the world, Satan, and sin. God rescued Israel from Egypt (the “house of bondage”) and even told Israel not so much as to buy horses from Egypt (Deuteronomy 17:16). Scholars would have us buy Bibles from Egypt—and it is their right to be wrong.

Know the Lord Jesus Christ

Thursday, September 28, 2023

“For he [Father God] hath made him [Jesus Christ] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV).

Dear friend, would you like to know the Lord Jesus Christ?

When Adam and Eve sinned and lost the light of God’s righteousness covering their physical bodies, they resorted to sewing together itchy fig leaves to make themselves clothing (Genesis 3:1-7). These leaves were not enough to conceal their nakedness, for they subsequently hid amongst the trees when they heard God approaching. When He questioned them to bring them to accountability, they blame-shifted (see verses 8-13). Genesis is literal—and its basic narrative is played out every day everywhere. People are still not coming to God to be delivered from their sin problem. In their pride, they attempt to rectify themselves. Deceived, they assume they are “not that bad,” and that they can compensate for their sins by doing good deeds (like their/our parents Adam and Eve sewing fig-leaf clothing and then hiding!).

Countless people know of Jesus Christ, but very few know Him (personally, intimately). To most, He is “just another religious figure,” “one of the many ways to God,” a “good man,” and so on. There is intellectual knowledge, but no heart faith. They know He died, but have they trusted in their heart the fact He died and shed His blood for their sins personally, that His finished crosswork can never be enhanced, repeated, or substituted? Sure, like Cain in Genesis 4:1-8, they can offer their own sacrifice (religious works)—but God will reject them just the same because it was their efforts instead of His work. Remember, Genesis 3:21: “Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skin, and [GOD!] clothed them.”

Until we come by faith alone in sinless Jesus Christ dying for our sins, being buried, being raised again (1 Corinthians 15:3,4); we lack God’s righteousness in Christ (see today’s Scripture; cf. Philippians 3:1-9). We know our righteousness is not perfect—and that is what sin is. Only Calvary can adequately deal with our sin problem. Only the God-Man, the “Anointed Saviour” (“Christ Jesus”), can save! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31).