boyradd

Sinsickness

Romans 6:23 – For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our

This has been a long week.  I’ve been real busy for work as it is the end of our fiscal year and on top of that new programs are rolling out beginning our new fiscal year that I am accountable for.  That, by the way, begins Monday.  Along with that, my daughter has been sick, seminary classes are wrapping up (so that means the big paper is due in a week) and general life, of course, happens.

Nothing can go wrong or a wrench will be thrown into the entire works.

Enter said wrench.

I finished a training class on Wednesday and didn’t feel well.  I didn’t think anything of it so I went to work on Thursday.  Having significant problems breathing throughout the day Thursday, I went to the doctor (at the request of my loving girlfriend). 

As an asthmatic, whenever I get breathing problems, I usually go to the doctor, he tells me I have a chest cold, prescribes a really powerful cough medicine, perhaps gives me a breathing treatment, and I head home, ready to hit the grind the next day.

Not this time.

I had pneumonia.

Ugh.  This was the absolutely wrong week for pneumonia to hit.  WAAAAAAY too much to do.

But it happened.

So I called my bosses up, told them I would not be in to work on either Friday or Saturday because I needed to rest.

This gave me a lot of time to pray, talk to God, and reflect on life in general.

So what is pneumonia and how does Romans 6:23 fit into this whole thing?

Pneumonia is a lung infection caused by either bacteria, virus or fungus.  It can be mild or severe.  Treatment is different depending on the symptoms, age, and overall health of the person.  Most people recover in 1-3 weeks, but it can be life-threatening.  It can be prevented.  Getting a flu shot, washing your hands, and, for people with a very high risk, getting a shot against pneumonia itself can prevent it.

This sickness definitely took me out for the weekend.  During one of the worst times to be taken out.  But thankfully, the doctor gave me medicine that is slowly bringing me back to health.  But it is a slow road.  I feel better than I did yesterday, but nowhere near how I normally feel.

This pneumonia showed me something more than just how frail my body is.  It showed me that sin has the same effect on our lives.

It is no secret that we humans should not overwork our bodies.  When we do, they break down on us.  If we are constantly pushing ourselves to the limits, our bodies will eventually say, “I’m done.  Rest now.”  That is when we get sick physically.

But it happens spiritually as well.  If we tell that little white lie, it will grow.  And eventually, that little sin will cause our entire spiritual life to come to a grinding halt.

A spiritually stagnant life, like pneumonia, is caused by something bad that gets into our system.  This could be a lie, a broken commandment, or simply living a life without Jesus.  Your soul will eventually say to you, “I’m done.” And you will be confronted with your sin, convicted of it.

Romans 3:23 – For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

This sin could be either mild or severe, but it will shut you down.  We may not think that a little lie about something is as bad as adultery, but it is.  Both are sins.  Both separate you from the warmth of God’s embrace.  Both will shut you down spiritually.  I will post another day on how sins have different severity in God’s eyes, but note that ALL sin separates you from Christ and ALL sin holds the same eternal penalty.

John 19:11 – Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

Treatment is different depending on spiritual health.  When a Christian falls away, it is up to the church body to gently bring that person back to Christ.  When a non-Christian falls away, they need to make the choice on their own to first come to Christ, no one can do that for them.

Mark 2:17 – And when Jesus heard it, He said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick.  I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Recovery can take a long time, and in some cases can be eternally life-threatening.  If the non-Christian does not come to Christ because of their conviction to sin, it does not matter how many good deeds that person does, they will still be the nicest person in hell.  For the Christian, I have seen people in the throes of adultery, pornography, drugs, alcohol and it has taken them years to get back on track.

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Sinsickness can be prevented.  First and foremost, COME TO CHRIST!  Making the choice to accept Christi in your life brings you new life.  But even with new life, we will still do things that are sinful.  Paul said it best, this is a marathon, not a sprint.  That new life gives you the conviction of sin, teaching you right from wrong.  You still have a choice to choose right or wrong.  But, like washing your hands regularly keeps pneumonia away, washing your soul in the Bible regularly will help you to know when sin is near and how to avoid it. 

John 14:26 – But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.

So what is sinsickness?  It is a disease that comes from sin.  It is either mild or severe.  Treatment is different depending on the overall spiritual health of the person.  Recovery can be short or take a long time, and can be potentially eternally life-threatening.  It can be prevented.  First, come to know Christ as your personal Savior.  Next, begin a plan of being in your Bible regularly so that you know how to spot sin and avoid it.