Our eldest daughter had a mystery illness when she was a teenager. It began innocently enough with aches and joint pain, then progressed over the next year from a minor annoyance to a full-blown crisis. We first consulted with her pediatrician and were referred to an orthopedic specialist who recommended physical therapy. We tried that for a while and treated symptoms like joint pain with Tylenol. As time went on her symptoms worsened but we couldn’t find the source of the problem.
Next we consulted with a rheumatologist who prescribed blood work, a bone scan, and more bloodwork. The results revealed anemia and elevated inflammatory markers, but the doctor had no answers or insight for us. Our daughter’s symptoms progressed and became quite concerning. She struggled with severe abdominal pain, was very pale and lethargic and had lost nearly 10 pounds in a week. We were getting no closer to understanding what was causing all of her pain and were desperate to find a doctor who could diagnose the problem and provide an effective course of action to help her.
Ultimately, we were referred to a different pediatric specialist who immediately suspected Crohn’s disease. He promptly ordered a colonoscopy and a very short time later the results of that surgery confirmed his suspicion: our daughter had indeed been suffering from Crohn’s disease. It’s strange to admit, but we were so relieved to receive a diagnosis! The anxiety and awful sense of helplessness was finally over now that the mystery was solved. Obviously, we would rather our daughter not have any disease, but we finally had an explanation for her symptoms and were able to take control of the situation once we had the help of an intuitive, experienced doctor who recognized the problem. Thanks to effective medicine and the care of good nurses, the Crohn’s is now in remission, and our daughter is very healthy – praise the Lord.
That mystery illness got me thinking about the nature of sin, which is like a destructive disease that requires the proper diagnosis and a physician who is able to treat it. We can ignore sin, but like any disease it will fester and grow into a crisis if left untreated. None of us is immune to sin, whether we choose to recognize it or not. Some sins are more obvious, like the crimes of a thief or murderer. But simply put, sin is rebellion against God and His ways, so even the most righteous people are sinners before a holy, perfect God. Scripture states in Romans 3:23 (ESV), for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
The Bible teaches that we are foolish to deny our sinful nature: If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). We must also not be fooled into thinking that we can be “good enough” by simply avoiding doing wrong things, or by trying to do enough “right” things to earn God’s favor. God’s word is clear on this point: For by grace you have been saved, through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Just as a disease ruins the body’s health, so does sin ruin the health of your relationship with God. Sin separates us from God and keeps us from living in harmony with Him. Because God is holy, perfect, and just, He cannot overlook sin because that would not fulfill justice. He requires our sin to be dealt with, in order for us to be reconciled to Him. The bad news is that the penalty for sin is death: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
But here’s the Good News: Jesus is the Great Physician who has already diagnosed the problem and provided the cure. Jesus intentionally died on the cross as a substitute for us, in order to fulfill the judgement that we deserve. God counts His innocent sacrifice as sufficient payment for the debt we owe: having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross” (Colossians 2:13-14).
Jesus came to treat those who are hurting and needy. He came for lost people in need of a Savior. He did not come for the proud and haughty, or anyone who feels that they have no need for Him. And Jesus answered them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance” (Luke 5:31-32).
A common objection to going to church is that it’s full of hypocrites, but isn’t that the point? We take broken things to the repair shop because that’s where you take them to be fixed. We bring our mystery illnesses to a doctor, seeking a diagnosis and a cure. The diagnosis for sin is grim: I’m powerless to fix it by myself and need help. Understanding this is both humbling and liberating: it’s humbling to admit I am a sinner before the holy, almighty God; this drives me to repentance. But what a relief it is to know that Jesus is the cure; He came to redeem sinners just like me.
Salvation is a free gift from God, and since it is a gift there is nothing we can do to earn it; all we have to do is confess our sins and trust in His offer of salvation through faith in His son Jesus. Then God will not look at us and see the guilt of our sins, instead He sees the righteousness of Christ. 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).
Heavenly Father, forgive us for our sin and rebellion. Thank you for providing a way for us to be healed and restored to fellowship with You, by sending your Son. Help us to have faith in Jesus’ gift of salvation and to keep abiding in You. Amen.
But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).
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