Forgiveness That Gets You On Your Feet

Forgiveness unlocks the way forward.

Devotional Credit: eManna, Witness Lee
Photo Credit: Unsplash

Grace always moves first. That is the heartbeat of today’s reading from Matthew 9, where Jesus speaks forgiveness to a paralyzed man, then tells him to rise, take up his bed, and go home. The order matters. Forgiveness is not a reward for walking well. Walking well flows from being forgiven. Witness Lee highlights this so clearly, and I am grateful for the way he keeps our eyes on Jesus and His authority to forgive right here on earth.

I love how practical this is. The Lord does not only release the man from guilt, He also releases him from the thing that once carried him. Yesterday the bed bore him. Today he bears the bed. That is what grace does when it meets us. It clears the debt, lifts the weight, and sets us moving again.

This is not about proving ourselves to God. It is about Jesus, the King, exercising real authority to forgive, and then sharing His life so we can live new. We do not start by walking to Him. We start by hearing Him speak peace to our conscience. Then, as forgiven people, we walk with Him. This fits the life of abiding in Christ so well. Forgiven, indwelt, and now learning to walk from His life within us.

If your conscience has been heavy, take comfort. Jesus forgives, and Jesus empowers. He does not send us away with a list. He makes us new creations in Himself, and He walks us home.

Journal Entry – Voice of the Holy Spirit Through Scripture

I speak to you as the One who raised Jesus and made you alive together with Him. Your record is cleared. In the Beloved you have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. I do not condemn you, so stand up inside and walk with Me. I have removed your transgressions as far as the east is from the west. I have cast your sins into the depths of the sea. The law that was against you was nailed to the cross. You died with Jesus, and you were raised with Him to walk in newness of life. You are My workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works that I prepared beforehand for you to walk in. I abide in you. Apart from Me you can do nothing, and with Me you will bear much fruit. Set your mind on the things above, where your life is hidden with Christ in Me. There is now no condemnation for you, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free. So rise, lift what once weighed you down, and come with Me. I work in you to will and to do My good pleasure. I am faithful, and I will surely do it.

Scripture references: Matthew 9:1 to 8, Ephesians 1:7, Psalm 103:12, Micah 7:19, Colossians 2:13 to 15, Romans 6:4 to 11, Ephesians 2:10, John 15:5, Colossians 3:1 to 4, Romans 8:1 to 4, Philippians 2:13, 1 Corinthians 6:11, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Acts 13:38 to 39, Hebrews 10:14 to 18, 1 John 1:9, 1 John 2:1 to 2

Real-Life Analogy

Think of a car with a parking boot clamped to the wheel. You can press the gas all you want, but you are not going anywhere. Then the officer unlocks the clamp. You hear the click, the metal comes off, and the car rolls forward with ease. Forgiveness is that release. And the power to move is not you proving something, it is the Engine within finally free to do what it was made to do.

How this lives today. Maybe there is a conversation you have avoided because of old shame. Pause at the door, and whisper, Lord, I trust You to express Your courage and kindness through me as I speak. Then step in. The Holy Spirit in you supplies what He commands, and you will notice the difference. What used to carry you now gets carried as you go.

Prayer of Confidence

Father, thank You that in Jesus my sins are forgiven. Thank You that You have joined me to Your Son, and that Your Spirit lives in me. I agree with You. I am clean, I am Yours, and I am free to walk. Today I carry what once carried me. I rest in Your finished work and I welcome Your life to flow through my words, my steps, and my choices. All glory to You.