October 29th 2017
If It Is Possible, As Far As It Depends On You, Live At Peace With Everyone.
Luke 5:18-20 (NIV)
Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
Have you ever presented anyone to Jesus? The question here is not that you and some friends carried another friend physically and presented them to Jesus. The question really relates to taking someone to Jesus through prayer. Does someone come to mind to you as your read these opening lines of this commentary? Several people come to mind to me, as I write this commentary! There seems to be a lot of sickness in this world today. Maybe you feel this way too. Natural calamities and hateful actions fill the news reports every day. However, this commentary is not meant to relate such negative ideas, but instead to remember, we have a Savior who gave His life for everyone who is willing to accept that sacrifice.
If you have accepted that perfect sacrifice, then you believe that Jesus is able to cure any disease that ever existed. You also believe that Jesus does hear your prayers. You can and should pray for yourself, and you should pray for your relatives, friends and even for acquaintances. Jesus told us that we should even pray for those who choose to persecute us. "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:43-45). The power in prayer seems to come with a faith that allows us to believe that Jesus can and does have the ability to cure any disease. In the selected verses note what Jesus said about those who brought this man to Jesus hoping for a cure for their friend. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." When Jesus saw their faith, he healed the man they presented! Jesus did not mention the faith of the man, just the faith of his friends.
This account shows how praying for someone else, when done through faith can result in a cure. The key here is faith that Jesus will respond to a prayer that is pleasing to Him. The writer of Hebrews wrote about how prayer is pleasing to God only when the person praying really believes in God. So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Hebrews 11:6, NLT). If you do not feel like you can say a good enough prayer to obtain healing for someone, remember what Paul wrote about getting help through the Holy Spirit. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Romans 8:26). Remember too that every prayer made in faith will be answered in some way, but it may be difficult to see the results, as the answer may be different than you expected!
It is important also to realize that not everyone will be healed, as we all may suffer during this lifetime, and eventually we all will die! So still the absolute minimum required is faith that Jesus Christ does hear all prayers that are given through faith. How did we obtain this faith we possess? Paul wrote about how faith comes to believers. So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. (Romans 10:17, NLT). If you do have faith, then you were told about Jesus, and you accepted the message, and accepted Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for your sins. If you have received some portion of faith, then you (we) are commanded to tell someone, who has not yet believed, about how having Jesus in your life has improved it!
Do you attend a church of your choice on a regular basis? If not, you are missing out on a chance to join fellow believers on a regular basis. This atmosphere is not available anywhere else! Think about the choices you make to be somewhere else that will not be as fulfilling! Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:15-18).
A great suggestion from Paul seems like a good way to end this commentary! If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Luke 5:18-20 (NIV)
Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
Have you ever presented anyone to Jesus? The question here is not that you and some friends carried another friend physically and presented them to Jesus. The question really relates to taking someone to Jesus through prayer. Does someone come to mind to you as your read these opening lines of this commentary? Several people come to mind to me, as I write this commentary! There seems to be a lot of sickness in this world today. Maybe you feel this way too. Natural calamities and hateful actions fill the news reports every day. However, this commentary is not meant to relate such negative ideas, but instead to remember, we have a Savior who gave His life for everyone who is willing to accept that sacrifice.
If you have accepted that perfect sacrifice, then you believe that Jesus is able to cure any disease that ever existed. You also believe that Jesus does hear your prayers. You can and should pray for yourself, and you should pray for your relatives, friends and even for acquaintances. Jesus told us that we should even pray for those who choose to persecute us. "You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. (Matthew 5:43-45). The power in prayer seems to come with a faith that allows us to believe that Jesus can and does have the ability to cure any disease. In the selected verses note what Jesus said about those who brought this man to Jesus hoping for a cure for their friend. When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven." When Jesus saw their faith, he healed the man they presented! Jesus did not mention the faith of the man, just the faith of his friends.
This account shows how praying for someone else, when done through faith can result in a cure. The key here is faith that Jesus will respond to a prayer that is pleasing to Him. The writer of Hebrews wrote about how prayer is pleasing to God only when the person praying really believes in God. So, you see, it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him. (Hebrews 11:6, NLT). If you do not feel like you can say a good enough prayer to obtain healing for someone, remember what Paul wrote about getting help through the Holy Spirit. In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. (Romans 8:26). Remember too that every prayer made in faith will be answered in some way, but it may be difficult to see the results, as the answer may be different than you expected!
It is important also to realize that not everyone will be healed, as we all may suffer during this lifetime, and eventually we all will die! So still the absolute minimum required is faith that Jesus Christ does hear all prayers that are given through faith. How did we obtain this faith we possess? Paul wrote about how faith comes to believers. So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. (Romans 10:17, NLT). If you do have faith, then you were told about Jesus, and you accepted the message, and accepted Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for your sins. If you have received some portion of faith, then you (we) are commanded to tell someone, who has not yet believed, about how having Jesus in your life has improved it!
Do you attend a church of your choice on a regular basis? If not, you are missing out on a chance to join fellow believers on a regular basis. This atmosphere is not available anywhere else! Think about the choices you make to be somewhere else that will not be as fulfilling! Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. (Romans 12:15-18).
A great suggestion from Paul seems like a good way to end this commentary! If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak