========================================================================
  WHO CAN FORGIVE?
  by Selwyn Hughes
========================================================================

Summary: Jesus' forgiveness is free but not cheap, requiring His death
on the cross to bring us forgiveness.

Topics: "Christ's Forgiveness", "Sin Redemption"
Scripture References: Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 1:18, Matthew 9:6, Ephesians 1:7, 1 John 1:9

------------------------------------------------------------------------
DESCRIPTION
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Selwyn Hughes preaches on the unique ability of Jesus to forgive sins,
contrasting it with the limitations of secular therapists and counselors
who can expose but not heal the deep stain of sin in the human soul.
Hughes emphasizes the profound impact of Christ's forgiveness, breaking
the power of sin and setting the prisoner free, a transformation that no
one else can offer. He highlights the cost of this forgiveness,
reminding listeners that it was not cheap but required Jesus to die in
order to bring true forgiveness to humanity.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
CONTENT
------------------------------------------------------------------------

... the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins ..." (v. 6)

For reading & meditation:

Matthew 9:1-12

Perhaps one of the most significant ways in which Jesus is unlike anyone
else who has ever lived is that He had the ability to forgive sins. I am
sure you will know the words of the famous hymn which refers to the
forgiveness offered by Christ: He breaks the power of cancelled sin, He
sets the prisoner free. I know of no one else who can do that. Some
psychoanalysts try to rid the soul of guilt, but though they may be
successful with pseudo -guilt (guilt that is imagined rather than real),
they are powerless to deal with the stain of sin that is deeply
ingrained in every human soul. The secular therapist will examine the
stuff of your dreams, invite you to answer a series of harmless
questions, and then drag out from your forgotten past the source of all
your trouble - some past transgression or sin. But even the most highly
trained team of psychoanalysts cannot forgive. They may expose an old
wound, but they cannot heal it. They may show you that your trouble is
an ancient sin, but they cannot cleanse it from the system. And that is
what our sick souls need most of all - forgiveness. A man I talked to
the other day said he went to a professional counselor, a non-Christian,
who found the root of his trouble - an old and wicked sin. "Now," said
the man, "tell me the cure." "Just forgive yourself," said the analyst.
Forgive yourself? It's a lot easier to do that when you know that you
yourself have been forgiven.

Lord Jesus, You have not only forgiven me but You keep on forgiving me.
Help me realize, however, that though Your forgiveness is free, it is
not cheap. For You had to die in order to bring me forgiveness. Help me
never forget that. Amen.

========================================================================
Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/selwyn-hughes/who-can-forgive/
========================================================================