Sin Sick?
We are hearing a lot lately about the virus, and the sickness it brings as well the impact these things have on people. There is a great deal of care being taken regarding the virus, such as face masks, social distancing, the careful washing of hands, and even the wearing of vinyl gloves when the situation calls for them. A lot of money is spent each year on doctor visits, medical treatments and pharmaceuticals, as well as other alternative means to promote good health. Most agree that good health should be one of our priorities. Our physical body is the only one we have. Christians also know the body is the “vessel” that houses the soul while in this realm.
But how many people seriously stop and consider their spiritual health? In Luke 5:31-32 we find Jesus replying to derogatory remarks of the scribes and Pharisees. And Jesus answering said unto them, They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. 32 I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. The Pharisees considered themselves “whole” because they were following their “own form” of doctrine, and felt spiritually superior to the rest of the Jews. When we look at Luke 16-9:10 we see the kind of “medicine” the Great Physician came to offer humanity. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
We also know that the “health” that Jesus was bringing to man was the healing provided following His death on the cross and the establishment of the church. In Acts 28:27 while Paul was in Rome conversing with the chief Jews in the area, Paul reminded them of the words the Spirit gave to one of their own prophets, Isaiah, which reveals why some will not receive the spiritual healing Jesus offers. For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.
The great news is that God’s Salvation is now offered to “whosever will” and in Acts 28:28 the Spirit had Paul tell these same men this. Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. In other words, God’s remedy for sin is available to all who will receive it, obey it and abide by it. John 1:10-12 tells us that the Lord had come, and that He provided the means by which a soul could be healed and remain healthy. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. 11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 12But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
This “power” was not available when Jesus was on earth, but in the next verse, we are told how and when it would be. Per John 1:13, it is when one is “born” into the kingdom of God. Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. This is much the same as Jesus told Nicodemus in John 3:3 when He told him: Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. This was more fully explained by Jesus in John 3:5-6 after Nicodemus failed to understand. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Again, the remedy for the sin of man was not available when Jesus spoke to Nicodemus, but it soon became obtainable.
The Spirit had Paul, in Romans 1:16, write to the church in Rome and tell them where the medicine for sin sickness is located. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. The remedy for spiritual sickness is available through the gospel.
We take the “medicines” prescribed by our medical doctors, knowing to have them and not ingest them, serves no purpose whatsoever. Why can’t we see that the New Testament is the “cure” for sin sickness, as it is God’s Word that provides the instruction (directions), to eternal life. The Spirit had Paul provide Timothy (and us) instructions in 1Timothy 6:11 for the “cure”. We would do well to heed these Words. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. That “medicine” is not a “one and done” as the Spirit had Paul write in Philippians 2:12. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. God’s Word is the “medicine” we need for sin-sickness, but we must continually apply it in our lives. To remain spiritually healthy, one must “work at it”.
It is so very sad to see our friends and loved ones suffering with physical injuries and illnesses. Our heart goes out to them and we do whatever we can to help them in their times of need. It is far sadder to see a friend or a loved one who is “sin sick” and will not accept the remedy Jesus provided through His blood, and as God has directed in His Word.
Obey the gospel today. Take care of yourself physically and spiritually so you can live well in this life, and be with God for eternity.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
