“And he was teaching in one of the synagogues on the sabbath. And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God.” Luke 13:10-13

Can you imagine what it would feel like to be in that much pain for eighteen years? To be doubled over in agony for just a few days is miserable, but for eighteen years!?!

It is no wonder that she IMMEDIATELY glorified God when she was loosed from that binding pain!

The sinner should no less show such eagerness to glorify God in his life when he realizes what Jesus has done for him!

A Biblical view of sin helps us realize how truly hopeless we are to rid ourselves of sin and our depraved nature. The Apostle Paul teaches us that our condition is not merely of being SICK in sin but being DEAD in sin!

Before Christ came into our lives, we were fettered by the weight of sin and could not make one move toward God. Just like this poor woman, we could not so much as raise up to ask for help. We were DEAD in sin!

But thanks be to God that we WERE dead in sin. That is no longer the case. We are loosed from our infirmity and we can glorify God!

We have been made straight by the grace of God. It seems to me the next time, and everytime, the doors of the local church are open, those that have seen themselves as freed captives ought to be the first ones through the door fighting over the front pew!