Grace For The Journey

Here are textbook definitions of the word paralyze . . .

1. To make unable to move or act;
2. To impair the progress or functioning of; make inoperative or powerless

At some level we are all “paralyzed people” when it comes to our walk with Christ.  From time to time we seem to be unable to act; we behave as if we are powerless.

We are paralyzed by a variety of conditions.  Here is a brief list; I could easily make it ten times longer!

• Unbelief
• Under-belief
• Shame
• Guilt
• Fear
• Failure
• Acceptance
• Approval
• Religion and non-religion
• Obsessions, addictions, and disorders

Only keeping the truths of the Gospel in clear view will overcome our tendency to paralysis.  The supernatural power of the Gospel is enough to counteract any attack made by the world, the flesh, and Satan, “the accuser of the brethren,” who goes about “seeking whom he may devour.”

The Gospel truths bring healing and hope.

The Bible says in Romans 8:1-4, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.”

God declares that because of what Jesus has done on the cross and the empty tomb that that is “no condemnation” to those who know Him and have accepted Him as their Savior and Lord.  It would do us good to think about that for just a moment.  “No condemnation” means “no accusation” – not today . . . not tomorrow . . . not ever! Jesus came to set the captives free (4:18), and that includes you and me.  We are freed to repent and receive forgiveness . . . which further frees us to continue moving in the direction God is calling us to go.

Someone has said, “a past littered with set-backs is simply a set-up for a comeback! ” Your past does not determine your future; the truths of the Gospel empower you to deal with your history so you can move in the direction of your destiny in Christ.

The Bible is full of stories of people who could have – and probably should have – lived paralyzed lives.  But they did not, because they knew the God who had set them free.

• Noah became senseless after drinking too much wine.
• Abraham lied to save himself.
• Jacob schemed to get what he wanted.
• David dishonored and disobeyed God.
• Elijah became afraid after hearing of Jezebel’s threats.
• Peter denied the Lord Jesus.
• Paul persecuted the church.
• John Mark became alienated from the apostle Paul after he left Paul in Perga.

The list goes on and on.  Yet in spite of a past that could have easily paralyzed them, these men continued moving in the direction God was calling them to go.  They realized the wonderful biblical truth in Proverbs 24:16, “For though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again.”

So . . . how about you?  Is there anything that has been keeping you paralyzed?  Are you imprisoned by a problematic past?  Remember to live by the principles and power the Gospel and you will rise above paralysis to progress and productivity!

This is God’s Word For Today … This Is Grace For The Journey

Rest and Rejoice in this eternal truth!

Pastor Terry

Ephesians 4:7 – “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.”

Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.”