Still Small Voice of Love

Matthew 9:2

Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, “Be encouraged, my child! Your sins are forgiven.”

Beloved: There are more ways to be paralyzed than being unable to use one’s hands, arms, or legs. Paralysis in relationships or the inability to express emotions are just as restricting. I may “look” healthy, but inside I am withering away.

Lover: Can you accept the forgiveness I offer? I have forgiven you. Can you forgive yourself? Reach out and receive this forgiveness and be free, unchained from the bonds of guilt, fear of failure or disappointment, and expectations. Be free to be all I mean you to be. Stand up. Move ahead with your life.

⁹But you are not ruled by your sinful selves. You are ruled by the Spirit, if that Spirit of God really lives in you. But the person who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Christ. ¹⁰Your body will always be dead because of sin. But if Christ is in you, then the Spirit gives you life, because Christ made you right with God. ¹¹God raised Jesus from the dead, and if God’s Spirit is living in you, he will also give life to your bodies that die. God is the One who raised Christ from the dead, and he will give life through his Spirit that lives in you. ¹²So, my brothers and sisters, we must not be ruled by our sinful selves or live the way our sinful selves want. ¹³If you use your lives to do the wrong things your sinful selves want, you will die spiritually. But if you use the Spirit’s help to stop doing the wrong things you do with your body, you will have true life. ¹⁴The true children of God are those who let God’s Spirit lead them. (Romans 8:9-14, NCV)