Preacher's Monthly Mark 2:7-11 Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?… What is the forgiveness of sins? 1. Two words in the New Testament denote this marvellous work. The meaning of the one is literally "to bestow grace — to grant undeserved favour." "Dealing out grace one towards another, as God, for Christ's sake, deals out grace towards you." The other means literally "to send away, to make to depart, to set out of sight by putting away." It fixes attention on the last element of the transaction, the release from penalties, the dread sentence of broken law. The other fixes attention on the first element of the transaction, that sovereign goodness in which it has its source. But what do we mean by the consequences of sin? Not outward inflictions. But (a) Divine deprivations. Loss of spiritual privileges and their resulting benefits. (b) Moral results of wrong-doing in its subject.As, for instance, increased disposition to sin; facility in transgression; the imprisonment and torment of evil habit; upbraiding of the guilty conscience; alienation from God; degradation from life; dread. Forgiveness lays an arresting, healing hand on each of these. It is gracious in its beginnings; free in its bestowment; complete in its influence. This fact reminds us — 1. That forgiveness comes to us out of the plenitude of the Divine nature. He is faithful and just to forgive. "I do it for My name's sake." 2. That this forgiveness reaches human hearts through the Son of Man. The phrase designates the Redeemer as having taken humanity into association with Divinity. The God-Man is the forgiving God. Coming to Him, and resting on Him, the chains are loosed. The Incarnate life bruises the serpent's head. 3. Spiritual activity is the manifestation and proof of redemptive forgiveness. Impotence was here visibly changed into strength; helplessness into self-helpful activity. Is the sinner forgiven? Behold he prayeth. Behold he walks. Behold he triumphs. 4. This great boon is freely bestowed. (Preacher's Monthly.) Parallel Verses KJV: Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?WEB: "Why does this man speak blasphemies like that? Who can forgive sins but God alone?" |
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