SIN-SICKNESS AND ITS REMEDY.
By W. N. G.
The human race is afflicted with an epidemic of sin. The extent of this epidemic is expressed by the apostle Paul in Rom. 3:23: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” The same apostle tells us of the fatal nature of the disease: “The wages of sin is death” (1 John 3:4); and James (chap. 1:15) testifies that “sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” It is also true that there is a quite general physical sickness throughout the world, on account of sin. But men realize this fact, and all seem anxious to find health and prolong their lives. They do not all realize that the general debility is occasioned by sin, but they do know that few, if any, are absolutely sound physically. They know that all are subject to ailments more or less serious, and that all wear out and go down to death in a comparatively short time at most. Now as to physical debility, how do people regard their condition? Is there not a general anxiety as to the remedy? We find men and women seeking here and there for physicians to diagnose their cases, and for remedies to heal them. They spend their time and means in consulting noted specialists, in visiting “mineral springs,” and trying this or that “all-healing” nostrum, or experimenting with the various climates of earth. From these sources partial or imaginary relief is sometimes procured, but eventually death comes, after all. The Scriptures tell us of a woman who was seriously afflicted for twelve years, and “suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse.” Mark 5:25, 26. It is easy for almost any one to call to mind like instances. It is quite common for patients to be told by the most noted practitioners, and at the most popular institutions, that nothing more can be done for them. But the sin-sick soul need suffer no such discouragement. Altho his malady is hereditary, and his case beyond self-help or human aid of any kind, there is hope. It should be a source of comfort to all men to know that there is an all-wise and sympathizing Physician who knows all about us. “He knoweth our frame; He remembereth that we are dust.” Ps. 103:14. Altho we are “fearfully and wonderfully made,” He created us Himself. Altho we are infected with sin and its consequences “from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot,” He has a never-failing remedy for every one who will come to Him. “He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Heb. 7:25. This is no quack advertisement; the great Physician has demonstrated his ability by a life of practise among men. He exemplified his ability to take away sin by taking away the consequences, even giving new life to one who had been dead until putrefaction had set in. See John 11:37–44. He is able not only to heal the sin-stricken soul, but to preserve it from further affliction. During His life in the midst of sinful surroundings, even bearing the sins of the world, and being “in all points tempted like as we are,” He came out unscathed. He was immune from sin in this life. “And ye know that He was manifested to take away our sins; and in Him is no sin.” 1 John 3:5. Therefore whatever He essays to do He is able to do. The remedy for this universal contagion is stated in John 3:16: “God so loved the world, that He gave His only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” This scripture tells the whole Gospel story. “God so loved the world.” He knew the fallen condition of the race, yet He loved, and pitied, and gave an infallible remedy. This remedy was His Son, by whom all things were created. He too loved the world, and became a willing remedy, altho to become such would cost a life of humiliation and a most dishonorable and cruel death. Peter tells us that we are redeemed, which means being healed of our sin malady, “with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:19. The remedy for this otherwise fatal disease is the blood of One who is and always has been immune from sin. And a baptism of His Spirit is the preventative of further affliction. Christ is not merely a remedy, He is the only healing Power. “Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. Whosoever believeth in Him may be healed, and only such can find relief. It is of no use to apply to any other physician, or to seek any other treatment; for “he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” It is this condition from which the believer is delivered when his sin is taken away. Now why do not men seek more earnestly for the only remedy from a universal malady?—(1) They do not believe in Him who gave His life that they might be saved; and (2) the conditions are too humiliating. “The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.” Rom. 8:7. Therefore there comes the humiliation of confessing sin; for “sin is the transgression of the law.” It is a very bitter dose for the carnal mind to plead guilty of transgressing the law, and to sue for pardon. But it is essential to a cure of sin-sickness. “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov. 28:13. While the sinner naturally looks upon this requirement of the great Physician as a real hardship, the promise of mercy on any conditions ought to be deemed an immeasurable blessing. Surely it is a blessed assurance, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life” (John 3:36); and, “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).