Sin Is Curable

Uncontrolled disease can be horrific. With the current worries about the spread of a new corona virus dubbed “COVID-19,” we have heard the terms “epidemic” and “pandemic” tossed around quite a bit. An epidemic occurs when a disease affects a greater number of people than is usual for an area, and a pandemic is when that epidemic goes worldwide. With any disease, health officials search diligently for the cause, the mode of transmission, and possible clues to protecting the world population. As governments and health systems struggle to cope with the COVID-19 crisis, we are reminded of the worldwide scourge of sin. Immorality and disobedience to God’s word definitely qualifies as a pandemic, because since the beginning of time it has swept across the globe, infecting and destroying millions upon millions of souls. Unlike COVID-19, we know the details of where sin comes from, how it is transmitted, and how it can be cured. Sin has a cause. Some believe Satan, or even Adam and Eve, are ultimately responsible for sin. But the root cause of sin is found in every heart that seeks its own will versus the will of the Father (James 1:14-15). Sin is contagious. We like to think that our lives don’t affect others, but we would be sorely mistaken. The apostle Paul said that “...Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). We can be infected by sinful examples around us, and transmit it to others by our own example.


[Proverbs 12:15] “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” Do I always have everything figured out and every situation sized up properly? Am I completely without “blind spots” in my judgment? Are my opinions on given matters always on the money? Is my insight infallible? Of course not! (To all the above) What about you? Yep! That’s true about all of us. We should always be open to suggestions; to advice. Concerning advice, someone once said, “It takes a great man to give sound advice, but a greater to accept it graciously.” Advice is like snow; the softer it falls, the longer it remains, and the deeper it sinks into the mind. This is a good thought to keep in mind when attempting to give advice. Know your facts! Know the person. Speak out of loving concern and interest. Be careful not to be like Job’s counselors. “Miserable,” Job called them. An old Arab proverb says: “Never give advice in a crowd. Admonish privately, but praise openly.” When receiving advice, it behooves us all to look at it carefully. They may be right; it might work! Many people receive advice; only the wise profit by it. Remember Rehoboam! He was intelligent enough to listen to advice, but not smart or wise enough to properly evaluate it. As a result his kingdom was divided (1 Kings 12). Let’s be open to Solomon’s counsel that “...a wise man listens to advice.”


There are many sinful bad habits, addictions if you please, in practice by millions of people who claim they have a disease. Disease invades the body; decisions guide the body. Sin is curable. While finding cures for biological disease is sometimes tricky, the cure for sin is straightforward and has been given by God’s revelation. Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was a payment for the sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2). Those who believe (John 8:24), confess Him openly (Matthew 10:32-33), repent (Acts 17:30-31), and are baptized in water for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16) will be cleansed of all past sins. After initial cleansing, we have continual cleansing by confessing our sins to Him and walking in the light (1 John 1:7-10). Yes, there is a pandemic of sin rounding the globe, and the effects are far greater than any physical virus. But thanks be to God who has given us the cure through His Son Jesus, the Christ! Decide to be cured of sin.