Mark 2:3 And they come to him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. I. PARDON, as such, IS NOT A PROGRESSIVE THING. There is no such thing as half a pardon. There are no processes of forgiveness — "Thy sins are forgiven thee." The sense of pardon will progress with growing holiness; but not the pardon. II. WE MAY NOTICE FURTHER THAT THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS TOOK THE INITIATIVE OF ALL THE BLESSINGS. It was the first act of grace which led on to all the rest. Remember, we do not work up to our pardon, but from it. We receive it in the free, undeserved, sovereign grace of God. III. And further, we gather from the story, that any temporal blessings that we receive may, to a devout mind, GIVE EVIDENCE OF GOD'S LOVE TO THE SOUL AND OF HIS TOWER TO BESTOW FURTHER SPIRITUAL GIFTS. IV. IT IS STRENGTHENING AND ASSURING ALSO TO SEE BY WHAT TENURES WE HOLD OUR PARDON — "The Son of man," etc. (J. Vaughan, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: And they come unto him, bringing one sick of the palsy, which was borne of four. |
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