Is forgiveness the same as deliverance?

Is the deliverance which God gives us primarily forgiveness of sins?

In every-day life I notice that sometimes little distinction is made between the two.

The Deliverance of Sins⤒🔗

To Levi Jesus only spoke two words: “Follow Me!”

But he spoke it with authority that was stronger than anything the tax-collector had ever experienced. Immediately there was a break-through in that twisted life, where money was more important than soul and salvation.

Jesus’ words were full of mercy and forgiveness. And yet, one can see immediately that the deliverance of Levi contains so much more.

Not only was he forgiven his debt, but more importantly he received another Master. All kinds of dark, twisted thoughts which ruled his life were now making room for a relaxed smile. For the first time there was a feast in his heart! An unknown joy went right through him, all his friend had to hear about this. His day of liberation was celebrated, to the astonishment and irritation of those who were not receptive to deliverance and therefore were unable to share in his enthusiasm.

This was possible through forgiveness. At the same time, it becomes clear that forgiveness is not the goal, but the means. The goal is Levi himself, that he finds his joy in God, for ever.

And yet, I regularly encounter that forgiveness seems to be the high point. While you hardly notice or hear about deliverance. To everyone’s sorrow. Forgiveness is being confessed, and I will accept it as well, but the celebration is sometimes hardly there. It will be beneficial for persons and congregations if more attention is given to how grace works (through) in us.

Forgiveness in practice can be such a technical thing, so legal, almost sterile. While it is specifically the intention that a person changes because of it; that an inner peace becomes palpable; that there is a beginning of eternal joy and the desire to share this with all people, especially with fellow believers of all age levels.

The Deliverance of Illnesses←⤒🔗

This deliverance we share not only with our soul, but also with our body. Everything that has been tainted by sin is being cleansed with the blood of Jesus. This is how “this my body” will appear as new one day.

Jesus has extensively shown this. During his wanderings on earth, the sick, those with handicaps and those who were being possessed were brought to him in great numbers. Even when he just touched them briefly, it was already enough. Massive healing was being received. Even at a distance Jesus’s word did miracles. Even the dead were raised.

A tremendous comfort when the body does not work anymore. When strength is failing us. When amputations must be done.

Everything that disappears, in whatever way that happens, will be returned to us. Completely restored, that is. For the bonds of death will retreat, and also the body will be liberated.

At this point we do not differ from various faith healers. They too confess that Jesus is the Deliverer of the soul and the body. However, the problem is that they therefore want to see all that realized right now. They present it to the believers as a promise, that right now they may be healed from all illnesses, while such a promise is nowhere to be found in Scripture; on the contrary.

Our inner self is being renewed day by day, but our outer self is wasting away, is what it says in 2 Corinthians 4:16. Through death we receive the healing of various illnesses. This does not take away that Jesus is currently our Lord, also over our body. We are reigned over by him, not by our illnesses. An amazing deliverance, and because of that a difficult sick bed or even when close to dying, we can still breathe a relaxed atmosphere.

The Deliverance of Searching←⤒🔗

What especially is such a relief, is that searching will cease. Searching for the meaning of our existence, for a bit of happiness and prosperity, for recognition, for who you are or who you would want to be.

The conviction is out there that a person becomes something by what he can do or by what he has (amassed). Therefore, you must be able to do much, otherwise you are a nobody, and no one will notice you. Either way, you must be able to do more than someone else. And you must possess a lot of stuff, or you do not count, then you will be just an average Joe or less. And you must participate in every trend, and preferable walk a bit up front. Then you are important.

And you must go out, try things, experience things, dare to join, for that is where you find the kick of your existence.

It is only too bad that this does not really work so well. You have money; it is not enough. You participate, but others did not notice you. You achieve something, but someone else still gets further than you. And that kick was more like a hangover, let us try it again then, maybe even a little crazier this time.

In this way everything goes up a notch. But you never arrive. True happiness in society hangs like a carrot in front of your nose, but of which you can never take a bite. Or it is like an expensive soap TV show, in which you will never play a role. Or like a million-dollar prize that you will never win. No wonder that man continues to search, as in this way he will never find. The search becomes ever faster, ever more intense, and he uses up all his strength.

Even when you have come to know God, you can still be searching. Searching for recognition in church. What does that take in ability or in knowledge? Or you are searching for acceptance of yourself, with everything of which your heart accuses you. Also for a true believer, true happiness can sometimes be far away. Sometimes the church gets the blame for it, and he starts to shop around at other churches. Perhaps happiness can be found elsewhere.

But have you fully realized your deliverance then? Your happiness, that is Me says Jesus.

I am not far away, high in heaven or deep in the realm of the dead. I am not somewhere else.

I am with you, in you, in your heart. He speaks blissfully, deeply happy, the poor in spirit, who are open to him, while he warns those who are rich in themselves, who are filled with their own thoughts (Luke 6:20, 24). Also, deeply happy are those who have come to know the good relationship with God and cherish it. They have discovered the reason to exist, end of search, beginning of intense satisfaction. This is how man attains peace, delivered of a trend which drives everyone unscrupulously. Relaxing, joy, not searching but enjoying, not dependent on other people’s judgement but cradled in God’s accepting embrace.

The Deliverance of Worries←⤒🔗

Someone can also be imprisoned by his worries. There are people who cannot live if they do not have control over everything. Everything is done, if need be, even manipulated, to please themselves. And this is how it is to be, otherwise you may get into an argument yet. This is how it can be in life, in relationships and in congregations.

But how can a person control everything in life? Sooner or later, you must admit that you cannot control your own life and your own health. And even less everything that happens around you, what can happen to you in terms of brute force or by way of a crime. How can you then be so occupied with your own self-regulation? Is that what you hold on to?

What a true deliverance it is then to discover that your hold is in Jesus. That he holds you, especially when your own strength is not sufficient.

Others can steal your things, or you can be a victim of a crime. However drastic that may be, do not get stuck in it. Does someone grab your coat? Give him also your shirt. Why would you do this? Because from Jesus you receive much more than you can ever lose.

Do they hit you in your face? Are you thrown in jail? Remain friendly and stay who you are.

Your freedom resides in your heart; no enemy can touch that. Many a Christian, locked up behind bars, has already experienced the truth of this and witnessed to this. I cannot have control over everything in my life; it is not necessary either. I am delivered of all my worries because I am being taken care of.

That saves a lot of worrying, does it not?

The Deliverance of Selfishness←⤒🔗

At the core, I am being delivered of myself, as I have become the king in my own empire. In fact, so limited, doomed, and yet so stubborn that I would invest everything in it till the bitter end.

Jesus’ Word is the deliverance of this twisted life.

His forgiveness is key to a different life. From now on, to live in the reality of God, with him in the centre, in a good harmony, by which a person can breathe freely and may develop.

That key is essential, otherwise you will never see God.

But it is not the idea that you only possess that key. You must go to God, in the joy of your Lord, so that by him and through him you may experience your deliverance day after day.