"And what is needed on our part in order to receive forgiveness? Our text indicates the precise need. “And Jesus, seeing their faith, said unto the sick of the palsy: Son, be of good cheer; thy sins are forgiven thee.”
So it is faith in Christ that is needed. But faith always implies something else — that we feel our sinfulness; that we desire to be delivered from our sins; that is, that we repent. Christ looked down into the sick man’s heart, and saw that he was contrite; hence he said, “Thy sins are forgiven thee.”
You see, it is this way, my friend. If you and I do not realize that we are sinners, and do not feel godly sorrow for sin, we will not desire forgiveness, and so we will not go to Christ for pardon. Therefore saving faith must be preceded by a knowledge of sin and a felt need of salvation. The law of God gives us the former; the gospel offers us the grace of God in Christ Jesus. And thus when we feel how sinful we are, and how helpless in our sins, we will look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith, who will pardon and deliver us."
From Keyser, Leander. In the Redeemer’s Footsteps: Sermons on the Gospel Lessons for the Church Year. 1918. Lutheran Library Edition
