“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’”

That is the question we must ask ourselves: Do we want to be made well.

First, there’s no power in us to be made well, but we must want it. Salvation is of the Lord; it is the gift of His grace; it is how He makes us whole.

This is the glory of the gospel - that the sinner, dead in sins, if he only wants it, can be made well by Jesus Christ. If you are willing, He’s already begun working in you, and He’ll give the strength. Philippians 2:13 “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.”

Secondly, we’re made well by the Blood and the Spirit. The blood paid the price for our cleansing; it put away sins and earned the Spirit, who comes in power. The blood reconciles us to God, and He gives us the free grace to live uprightly in holiness. It is not human strength; it is a gift operating through faith, which is to be experienced. There really is power from God to do all things through Christ who strengthens us. Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Thirdly, the gift is obedience, so that we live according to God’s will. John 5:8-9, “Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk!” Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk.” Grace will come for no other reason. Forgiveness comes to make us holy. He saves to glorify His grace, which transforms Saul to Paul and Peter the licentious into Peter then obedient. 1 Peter 4:3, “For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles--when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, wild partying, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.” Grace doesn’t ever leave us in our sins. Titus 2:11-12, “For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age,”

Bless God and hallelujah for the new life! This is joy and peace, as we walk with Christ and do His commandments, manifesting our love through the Spirit. This is reading and interpreting Scripture rightly. Praise God for this glorious change of character, so that we go from evil and self-centered to loving and truly righteous. Bless God for the honor and integrity of Christianity; it is the most true and beautiful way of living. Bless God for the reward of peace, joy, and understanding. Bless Him for resurrection life.