Saturday November 5, 2022

FORGIVENESS, HEALING, AND SEALING

Psalm 103:1-3; Acts 2:38; Ephesians 1:13

It was during one of the afternoon prayer sessions at an Easter Convention at Tarkwa in the early 80s. As young elders, we joined in the laying on of hands. A woman literally pulled my friend, Jimmy, and I, out to go pray for his son. He’s had a locked jaw with his teeth firmly biting the tongue, almost cutting it into two, with blood all over his shirt. They’ve tried using a spoon to open their mouth, but to no avail. After some time of praying and rebuking without any results, we were led by the Holy Spirit, to shout in unison: “Lord forgive! Lord heal, in Jesus’ Name!” and instantly the boy was freed.

It is a fact that not all sicknesses or diseases may be linked to a sinful past. However, it cannot be discounted that, most biblical narratives attempt to state the obvious. Forgiveness of sin always leads to the healing of diseases. In Psalm 103:3, David makes the sequence clear, “He forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,” In Matthew 9:2-6, when the paralytic was brought to Jesus, his sins were first forgiven him before the healing was pronounced. Christ cautioned the paralytic who was healed in John 5 not to go back to his sinning ways so that something worse may not come upon him. You may also read James 5:13-16.

The forgiveness of sin also paves the way for the believer to be baptized in the Holy Spirit. God chooses to forgive our sins so that he can give us his Holy Spirit. The Apostle Peter made that affirmation in his preaching at Pentecost. (Acts 2:38). The Holy Spirit can only inhabit a clean and purified vessel. And a clean and purified vessel is a forgiven vessel. As we embrace God’s forgiveness, we are indeed creating space for the indwelling of the Spirit. And with that, he goes ahead to seal us as a property belonging to him. What a wonder!

Healing is available for as many as are ready, and willing to call on the name of the Lord. Cast all your anxiety on Him because he cares for you.

Prayer Guide: Father, in the Name of Jesus, I come to you with an open heart and a contrite spirit, that you touch me with the wonderful touch of yours and make me anew. Do not cast me away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Memory Verse For This Week: Psalm 85:2 (NIV) - You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins.

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