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Showing posts with the label soteriology

Your Sins are Forgiven!...So...

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Jesus climbed into a boat and went back across the lake to his own town. Some people brought to him a paralyzed man on a mat. Seeing their faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man, "Take heart, son! Your sins are forgiven." "Blasphemy! This man talks like he is God!" some of the teachers of religious law said among themselves. Jesus knew what they were thinking, so he asked them, "Why are you thinking such evil thoughts? Is it easier to say, 'Your sins are forgiven' or 'Get up and walk'? I will prove that I, the Son of Man, have the authority on earth to forgive sins." Then Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, "Stand up, take your mat, and go on home, because you are healed!" And the man jumped up and went home! Fear swept through the crowd as they saw this happen right before their eyes. They praised God for sending a man with such great authority. - Matthew 9:1-8 Say the word "saved" today and most American Christ...

How do you Heal a Tax Collector?

Matthew 9 always struck me as rather odd. Jesus heals a paralytic. Miracle! Hallelujah!! Jesus heals a hemorrhaging woman. Miracle! Hallelujah!! Jesus raises an apparently-dead young girl. Miracle! Hallelujah!! Jesus heals two blind men. Miracle! Hallelujah!! Jesus heals a mute man. Miracle! Hallelujah!! And in the middle of all this, Jesus has dinner with Matthew the tax collector. Miracle? Hallelujah?? Yes. If you happen to be Matthew the tax collector. Grace and Peace, Raffi