GOD HAS HEALED YOU FROM SIN, WHAT’S NEXT?

BIBLE PASSAGE:
Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they immediately 
told Jesus about her. So he went to her, took her hand and helped her 
up. The fever left her and she began to wait on them. 
(Mark 1:30-31)

MEDITATION:
The Bible includes many instances where Jesus healed people.
Some were hopelessly ill, but not when the hand of the Healer was there.
It should be a reminder to believers that we too were hopelessly sick (with 
sin), but Jesus went to the cross so that we could be healed of our sinfulness.

The question we should ask ourselves is, 
“What should I do, now that I am well?”
When we read about Simon’s mother-in-law 
we see that she “began to wait on them”.
She was so grateful for her restoration 
that she wanted to serve in some capacity.

Later in Mark 1, we see a man with leprosy who came to Jesus for healing.
A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, 
“If you are willing, you can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, 
Jesus reached out and touched him. "I am willing," he said. "Be healed!" 
(Mark 1:40-41)

After He had healed him, Jesus had some expectations 
of the man He had restored.
Jesus sent him away at once with a strong warning: “See that you 
don’t tell this to anyone. But go, show yourself to the priest and offer 
the sacrifices that Moses commanded for your cleansing, as a 
testimony to them.” (Mark 1:43-44)

However, after being healed from leprosy 
(a disease that forced the man into isolation while waiting to die), 
the leper felt no obligation whatsoever to the Lord.
Look at the impact his choice had on the ministry of Jesus.
Instead he went out and began to talk freely, spreading the news. 
As a result, Jesus could no longer enter a town openly but stayed outside 
in lonely places. Yet the people still came to him from everywhere. 
(Mark 1:45)

The ministry of Jesus continued not as a result 
of the healed leper’s actions, but in spite of them.
Instead of obeying Jesus and experiencing the joy 
of being a contributor to His ministry, 
this man allowed his selfishness to take him in a different direction.

ACTION:
When Jesus heals us from our sickness of sin, He has expectations of us,
and we have to decide whether or not we will obey, or ignore Him.
Will we serve Him out of gratitude, or will we ‘go our own way’?
Imagine how different the scriptures would read if people appreciated Jesus 
and had a desire to serve Him when He walked the earth in human form.

Everyone who claims to be a Christian has the same challenge today.
However, Satan has won the battle in the lives of many and, as a result,
rather than fulfilling His expectations of them, 
they have chosen to “tell” that He has healed them, 
instead of “showing” appreciation for what He has done.

Which side of the fence are you on?
Are you a “teller”, or a grateful and obedient servant?
We have the choice of being detrimental to His ministry, 
or contributing to it.
Telling others about how Jesus changed your life is a good thing,
but showing your faith by the way you live daily is even better.

Pray,
“Heavenly Father, I may have not realized that when Jesus went 
to the cross for me, it was so that I could be healed of the disease 
of sin in my life. In addition, I may have failed to realize His 
expectations for me as a result of His healing. Help me to be like 
Simon’s mother-in-law and not like the leper. Teach me how to be 
a servant and not just a talker. Thank You, Jesus, for what You did 
for me so that I could be healed!”

blog: UTVOLWOODY.WORDPRESS.COM