A Worldwide Epidemic
Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: -Romans 5:12
It appears that we are in the midst of a cold and flu season. There is sickness all around us. Pews have been empty and desks unoccupied because of people battling the bug. Usually, these illnesses last but a few days. With some medication and rest colds and flu’s run their course and we are back to business as usual. However, there is a fatal illness that all of humanity is suffering from. The worldwide epidemic is sin. It is a disease that we are unable to recover from apart from the grace of God!
The Apostle Paul writes of this epidemic in his letter to the Roman church. The Jewish converts thought that they had some advantage over the Gentiles. They were the people whom God dwelt with during Old Testament times. Indeed they had they oracles of God, but they were as guilty as their Gentile counterparts. In fact, they were without excuse because God did dwell with them. Paul would write in Romans 3:12 that, “There is none that doeth good, no not one.”
We are all suffering the effects of sin. This is because of the first man Adam transgressing God’s law. He was our federal representative. When Adam disobeyed God’s commandment, sin passed upon all of his posterity (us). Therefore, in God’s view there is no man that is good. This truth destroys any notion that we have any ability whatsoever to save ourselves. We are totally dependent upon almighty God for eternal salvation! Paul describes the sickness of sin as terminal. Death is the result of sin, both spiritual and physical. While no one looks forward to the suffering involved with a natural death, the spiritual consequences of sin are far graver. Spiritual death involves a separation from God, namely an eternity in hell.
All of us have suffered the consequences of sin. We are all rendered spiritually dead because of our disobedience. This is where we would be apart from the mercies of our Great Physician, Jesus Christ. We have no ability to save ourselves from the dreaded disease of sin. However, we can take comfort in the words of the Apostle Paul that, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.” In Jeremiah 8:22 the question was asked, “Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the wound of my people?” These mournful words were uttered during a dark time in the nation of Israel. I sometimes wonder if we are heading down the same path as those that Jeremiah spoke to concerning the things of God. I am thankful that Christ indeed came into the world to save sinners such as myself!
It is a great blessing to know that there is a remedy for the sin epidemic. Jesus Christ was born of a virgin and came into the world to save His people for their sins (Matthew 1:21). All of the elect family of God will enjoy Heaven’s glory because of our redeemer. In Matthew 9:12, Jesus states, “They that are whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.” If you have been blessed to realize that you are suffering from the disease of sin, and you see your need of a savior, you are blessed indeed! Christ short-circuited the sin cycle and suffered the consequences of our sin that we may live with him in Heaven forevermore. Though we may suffer sickness and afflictions in this present world, we can rejoice in knowing that sin and death was conquered by our Redeemer.
Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church ( www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.
