Which Cure Would You Choose?

The following is an article I penned on July 9, 2000 and from my vantage point, it continues to hold true today:

Dear Fellow Traveler,

This past Sunday, I raised this question: If you could have a cure for cancer OR a cure for sin, which would you choose? I suggested that most Christians would choose the cure for cancer, and I did so because I know how well we have been taught to believe that we can somehow manage our sin(s). We have not only been convinced that we can avoid committing the really serious sins, but also that we can keep our “sin list” short enough to impress God and, thereby, convince Him that He should be merciful to us.

On the other hand, I also know that even the suggestion that one might have cancer brings tremendous fear, anxiety, and hopelessness. The truth is we see our ability to deal with sin as being much more effective than our ability to deal with cancer; not to mention, that most would choose a diagnosis of sin over a diagnosis of cancer any day.

It has become obvious to me that as long as we hold on to the mindset that anything (including cancer) is more devastating than sin; the One True Gospel will not be very attractive to us. Until God causes us to see the exceeding sinfulness of sin and our inability to overcome it, we will see no need for a gospel that offers us grace. In fact, the belief that we can manage our own sin will eliminate any perceived need for grace. We will simply try harder to overcome.

Interestingly, no one has come up with a cure for cancer; yes, progress has been made, but there is no blanket cure for cancer. Even in those situations where surgery removes the malignancy, there is always the possibility that the tumor will return. As a result, the patient is encouraged to return to his/her doctor at regular intervals for various diagnostic tests and, more often than not, for radiation and/or chemotherapy. As valuable as these tests and treatments might be for the health of the patient, they also serve as reminders of cancer, and, therefore, keep the patient cancer conscious.

Every cancer patient I have ever known really looked forward (anxiously and eagerly) to getting past the window of increased risk for the return of the malignancy—usually 5 years. Even then, however, some risk still exists.

The truth is every one of us is at risk and unfortunately there is no blanket cure. We simply live life at varying degrees of cancer consciousness—the greater the risk, the greater the cancer consciousness.

Well, I have some really good news! Someone has found a cure for sin—Jesus! I know it sounds too good to be true; nevertheless, it is true. God, through the death and resurrection of His Son, Jesus, has cured our sin problem. Interestingly, Jesus is also the guarantee that it (sin) will never return. There is no need for a return to the doctor for diagnostic tests and various treatments. There is no need for continued reminders of sin; sacrifices are a thing of the past! With faith the size of a grain of mustard seed, sin consciousness should be a thing of the past. There is no reason for continued guilt! God, the Great Physician, has declared every Christian to be sin free—as righteous as Jesus is righteous! Welcome into the Holy of Holies! Enter by the blood of The Lamb!

Consider the difference it would make in your life if you began to see yourself as God sees you. I find this quote from Mike Mason’s book, The Gospel According to Job (p. 74) very appropriate: Do not let the consciousness of your unworthiness keep you from believing what God has said concerning you. If you are a believer in the Lord Jesus, then the precious privilege of being in partnership with the Father and the Son is yours.

Listen to what the author of the letter to the Hebrews has to say; He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself (Hebrews 9:26b)!

It is my prayer that the Holy Spirit will reveal to you the incredibly good news of the gospel and that you will be receptive to it!

My perspective: This good news will be rejected by most because most have been brainwashed into believing they can manage their own sin—with, of course, a little help from Jesus.