HOURS BEFORE THE WORLD rolled into the new decade of 2020, a group of Chinese doctors worked tirelessly to understand the sickness they now found themselves treating.
Less than ten days later, Dr. Li contracted the virus while treating another patient. By January 10, 2020, he began experiencing the virus’ symptoms. Two days later, he was hospitalized. On February 7, he died.
This, of course, is not the first pandemic that has swept our world. In fact, as our society searches for a cure for Covid-19, many have looked back to previous epidemics, such as the flu of 1918, to learn how practices such as social distancing can slow the virus’ spread.
But even before 1918, or any of the other world-altering epidemics of the previous centuries, our entire world has been infected with a different kind of virus. This virus cannot be stopped by social distancing, for it is a spiritual disease—passed down to us from our planet’s first parents, Adam and Eve.
IMAGE A street car conductor in Seattle in 1918 refusing to allow passengers aboard who are not wearing masks
The virus is sin, and it causes spiritual death and separation from God.
Everyone is a sinner.
The Bible tells us that it is sin that keeps us from God. Sin is anything we do, say, or think that is contrary to God’s laws and commandments.
As we saw in Romans 5:12, since Adam and Eve, the first man and woman on earth, a sin nature has been present in all people. No one had to teach us how to sin; sinning comes naturally to us.
So sin separates us from God. It makes an impossible chasm between us. Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Sin has a price that must be paid.
Also, our sin has a penalty. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death…” The “wage” or payment for our sin is spiritual death—eternal separation from God in Hell.
Our own works and religion are not enough.
Jesus Christ died to pay for your sin.
We were lost and separated from God, but because He loved us He sent His own Son—Jesus Christ—to die on the cross for our sin. After His death, He rose from the dead three days later.
Though we are unworthy, Jesus paid our payment when He died for us.
As Romans 6:23 tells us, Christ now offers us the gift of eternal life: “…the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This is a gift Christ paid for when He died for our sins. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus became the payment for our sin. Now we do not have to pay for our sin. By His grace, salvation—the cure for sin and death—is provided.
I recently read an article about a woman who lived to the age of 102, but had experienced what came to be known as the Spanish Influenza in 1918 at the age of 3. What saved her life—and undoubtedly the lives of others—was the white scarf tied to the family’s outside doorknob, alerting others that there was a quarantined patient inside.
Even as a virus patient will only receive treatment if they acknowledge their condition, so we must acknowledge our need for Christ.
IMAGE Elinor Elisberg, left, sits with her father and her sister in 1918.
Will you turn to Christ alone?
Dear Lord, I know that I am separated from You because of sin. I confess that in my sin I cannot save myself. Right now, I turn to you alone to be my Savior. I ask you to save me from the penalty of my sin, and I trust you to provide eternal life to me. Amen.
You'll never regret that decision!
If you have just trusted Christ as your Savior, please let us know. We would like to help you learn more about your new relationship with Him.
If you have questions about this gift of eternal life, I would love to hear from you. Please use the form below, email us at office@cornerstonebc.ca or give us a call at 905.847.3530.
Seeking a Cure written by Dr. Paul Chappell