“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23.
This pandemic has been a devastating time for mankind. An incredibly large number of people have contracted the virus, resulting in an astronomical number of deaths. Although most of those who died had preexisting conditions, they still had a life ahead of them. The families that they left behind are no less harmed or saddened because their loved one had a preexisting health issue.
It seems that the world experiences more and more “pandemics” as time advances. According to the CDC, in a 2017 press release, between 291,000 and 646,000 worldwide, die annually from the flu. The current Pandemic (Covid-19) has resulted in 238,628 worldwide deaths as of May 3, 2020. That is a lot of people.
But there is a disease far more deadly; one that, if left untreated, is an absolute death sentence. And, it is sweeping the globe as I type. It is the real pandemic.
That disease is sin. “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned.” Romans 5:12
Sin has been around for thousands of years, beginning in the garden of Eden with Adam and Eve. It has been claiming lives ever since.
Often, we disregard sin, behaving as though it is something that happens daily for each of us. So, in our minds, “What is the big deal?” Sin seems to be no big deal to the world because we all do it. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23.
The big deal is that, with out a cure, it separates us from our creator. It separates us from the lover of our souls. “But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear.” Isaiah 59:2.
Sin separates us from God.
It will even rob us of our health. “There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation; there is no health in my bones because of my sin.” Psalm 38:3.
Some illnesses can infect us and no one would even know. Sin seems to be one of those illnesses… but it isn’t. It is like leprosy. Initially, it may seem to go unnoticed, but eventually, it is always reveal. “But if you will not do so, behold, you have sinned against the Lord, and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 3:23.
Other illnesses are embarrassing and we try to pretend we don’t have them. Sin is similar. We try to hide it, lying and deceiving others in an attempt to keep it from being known. “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” 1 John 1:8.
Sin is deadly. “Don’t you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living.” Romans 6:16 (NIV).
Not only does sin bring death, but it brings an eternal death; a death similar to that suffered in Sodom and Gomorrah. “…in like manner, Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, who indulged in sexual immorality and pursued strange flesh, are on display as an example of those who sustain the punishment of eternal fire..” Jude 1:7.
Sin is the real pandemic. It has been around far longer than any other illness. It has infected more people (every human to ever live, apart from Jesus). And, it has a much higher death toll than any other illness.
Sin is infectious. Those who are infected with sin are, themselves, infectious. The way that the apple was used to tempt Eve to sin, we (in our sin) bear fruit of sin and death. “For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.” Romans 7:5.
There is good news however. There is a cure. That cure is Jesus. “I said, “O LORD, be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You.” Psalm 41:4.
Through the shed blood of Jesus, God can cleanse us of the disease that is sin. “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.
And, once we receive that cure, we become immune to the effects of sin. We are no longer destined for death, but instead for eternal life. “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life.” John 5:24.
We develop an aversion to the sin that used to feed on us and no longer seek it. We still slip and commit sin, but God is faithful and just to forgive us. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.
We all know people who are in sin. In truthfulness, we are all in sin daily. The difference is, some of us have received the cure. And God is calling us to take that cure into the world and share it with those who are dying of the illness that is sin. “Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.” John 20:21.
Father God, forgive us for hiding the light of the world from the world. Forgive us for shying away from sharing the gospel; from being your hands and feet. Father, use us to bring the hope that you have filled us with to those who are hopeless. Use us to cure the real pandemic, Lord. Pour these vials, that are your children, out on those who are dying from the illness that is sin. Rescue them from the real pandemic, Father, through the shed blood of our Savior. We pray these things in the precious and Holy name of Jesus.
If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are a vial filled with the cure of the real pandemic. Go and spread the gospel, that the world might be saved. “And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Mark 16:15.
“Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.” Colossians 1:10.
If you do not know Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, I pray that you would go to our life preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/)and pray the prayer that is outlined there. God wants to forgive you, heal you, and call you His own. He wants to give you eternal life. Please pray that prayer. And, please reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com, and let me know once you have or if you have any questions. I’d love to help and also pray with and for you.
Luv Ya!
