The fact of truth erases false doctrine. Like a wrong imagination about a place you have never been, once you have visited, facts replace the wrong ideas. “Do ye now believe?” asks Jesus.
We must confront the words of Jesus with faith in his authority, knowing that Jesus is who he says he is. When Jesus spoke it was not an idle opinion or recitation. Jesus spoke, in obedience to the Father, with the authority to bring to pass the words he was given to speak.
Truth makes us free. Have courage to hold fast to that which is true; irrespective of what tradition or fallacy is in the way. This leads to another red letter question from Jesus, “Wilt thou be made whole?”
We must be diligent to remove revealed false doctrines or more false doctrines will follow.
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Chapter 12 (Part 3) Jesus Heals A Paralytic
SOON THEREAFTER Jesus was back at Capernaum. Word spread that he was there and great multitudes came to be taught and to receive favors at his hands.
One day, as he was teaching, there was brought to him a paralytic, carried by four men. So great was the press of people, the bearers of the bed were unable to enter the doors of the house where Jesus was speaking. Accordingly they climbed with their burden onto the roof, made a hole, and lowered the pallet and paralytic into the midst of the group around Jesus. When he saw this display of faith, Jesus said to the paralyzed man:
“Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee.”
When they heard this, the scribes and Pharisees who were present reasoned among themselves, saying:
“Why does this man thus speak blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?”
Jesus knowing their thoughts, said:
“What reason ye in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee’; or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? But, that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to forgive sins,” –
Turning to the paralytic, Jesus said:
“Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine own house.”
Immediately the man arose before the eyes of all who were there. He picked up his pallet and departed to his own house, glorifying God.
And the multitude who saw this miracle were amazed. They, too, glorified God and were filled with awe, saying:
“We have seen strange things today.”