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.
Dr. Li Wenliang, an ophthalmologist at Wuhan Central Hospital, noticed seven cases of an unusual virus, which he thought looked similar to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) which had led to a worldwide epidemic in 2003. He was correct. What he did not know, however, was that this virus he had seen, while related to SARS (both are a coronavirus), was an entirely new virus, which would eventually be named COVID-19.
Seeking a Cure
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.
Meanwhile, the virus began to spread. On January 13, a case was reported in Thailand. On January 20, it showed up in South Korea. On January 21, it was discovered in the United States. By March 11, the World Health Organization officially declared it a pandemic. Now, the virus has infected every continent on the globe, except Antarctica.
God loves you.
God made a way for us to know Him, and He doesn’t leave us guessing at how we can—He tells us in the Bible. In 1 John 5:13, He says, “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life…”
So, if God loves us and wants us to have eternal life, why is there still this virus of death?
Everyone is a sinner.
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.
Sin has a price that must be paid.
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.
Some people believe they can pay the price for sin by doing good works or being involved in religion. This may seem logical, but it’s not what the Bible says. In fact, the Bible specifically tells us that we can’t earn our way to Heaven through good works.We have seen reports in the news of people from Iran and India who have devised their own “medical” drinks to prevent or overcome COVID-19. Instead of providing a cure, however, those who took them became more ill, and some died.
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..
Jesus Christ died to pay for your sin.
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.