“When Jesus saw their faith, He
said to the paralytic, ‘Son, your sins are forgive you.”—Mark 2:5
James wrote in his Epistle to the
Jewish believers that, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). Faith must work; it must be visible; it must
produce. Verbal faith is not enough;
nor, is mental faith sufficient. James
stressed that true faith inspires action and is manifested in works of faith.
How do you see faith? You see faith like you see the wind. You can not see wind, but you can see the
effects of the wind by seeing things blown by the wind. Likewise, you cannot see faith, but a person’s
actions will prove when they are acting in faith.
While Jesus was staying in
Capernaum, many people came to the house where He was staying to hear Him
preach. So many people came, that there
was not anymore room in the house. Some
friends of a man who was paralyzed carried him to Jesus; however, upon arrival
they discovered there was no room for them to get their friend to Jesus. Not giving up, the friends cut a hole in the
roof where Jesus was, and let the bed down on which their friend was laying to
Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said, “Son, your sins are forgiven you.” The religious leaders, who were sitting and
listening to Jesus, began to think in their hearts that no one could forgive
sins but God. Immediately, Jesus perceived
in His spirit what they were thinking, and responded to their thoughts by
saying, “…that you may know that the Son
of Man has power on earth to forgive sins…take up your bed, and go to your
house” (Mark 2:8-11). The paralytic
man immediately stood up, gathered up his bed, and left the house. Everyone there was amazed and began to say, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark
2:1-12).
These men could have believed that
Jesus could heal their friend, but then took no action on what they believed. However, because they acted upon what they believed
their friend experience a healing, and Jesus was able to use the occasion to
teach about forgiveness. Actions are a
vital part of faith. For faith to be seen, corresponding actions
must accompany faith (James 2:17).
Prayer—Father
I determine in my heart to walk in genuine trust and reliance upon you, in
Jesus Name. Amen.
