FINDING GENUINE COMFORT

FINDING GENUINE COMFORT

Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.  The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the Sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.  John 5:8-10

Many today are searching for something to fill the void in their lives and seeking to find comfort in the world. But real comfort is found only in Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, and in The Heavenly Father.

(1)  COMFORT

What brings you personal comfort? What do you long for each day? Maybe you desire to be rid of relational tension. Maybe your idea of comfort is being nestled behind a good book. Perhaps you long for the mornings when you are winding up or you long for the evenings when you are winding down. The environment that brings you comfort may be that of peace and quiet or laughter and meaning verbal interaction. This comfort is offered to us in God’s Holy Word. Thou shalt increase my greatness, and comfort me on every side. Psalms 71:21  And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; John 14:16

The invalid of 38 years received the comfort of instant healing when Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” And “at once” that man was healed. There was no delay. After 38 years, the lame man’s healing came instantly.

(2)  LEGALISM

The poison of legalism strained the comfort of his instant healing. The Jews were unable to celebrate the miracle of this man’s healing because they were so transfixed on the fact that Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath. Their legalism kept them from recognizing the Lord.

Legalism bypasses relationship. God has not saved you from your sin and sealed you by His Holy Spirit so that you will live in the bondage of legalism. In Christ, God has saved you so that you can walk in the freedom of your new identity in Christ.  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Romans 6:4