A Greater Sickness III: The Proper Diagnosis
Two weeks ago, we talked about the different plagues and William Bridge. Last week, we looked at the benefits of sickness.
This week, we’ll be talking about an even greater sickness and its proper diagnosis.
William Bridge wrote in the midst of the London plague:
“What is my work this day? Now the work of this day is to trust in the Lord; this is the work that protection and deliverance in the time of a plague calls for. Who is there that does not desire to be protected and delivered from this plague? You pray, that you and your family may be preserved!
Here is your antidote to keep you from the plague: Trust in the Lord, as ever you and your family may be protected now in this evil day. Trust in the Lord, and call upon yours to trust in the Lord.
But what shall we do that we may trust in the Lord in this day of the plague?
First of all, you must repent of your own sins, and be sorrowful for the sins of others, and of the times wherein you live. When the plague came in David's time, you know what David did, he repented : " Lord," says he, " I have done foolishly ...It is I, Lord, it is I." So let every one do : this God expects in the time of a plague.
Again, and so to the end; go to God, and tell the Lord that you do trust in him, and make him your dwelling place, your fortress, your refuge.
It is not a single decision from the Supreme Court that has brought about this virus. There are certainly plenty of ways we have earned God’s wrath, yes. But that is not the point we are trying to make in this series. In the midst of all of this chaos and confusion, we want to invite you to pause and consider eternity. Consider who God is, who you are, and what sin really is. Take a long and serious look at what sin really is to make the most of this time.
Sin is simply living for yourself. How is a physical virus like living for yourself? Can you see it? Yes, but not with naked eye. It is a parasite. It hijacks the body's cells, sneaks its own genetic material into the cell, and tricks the cells into thinking it is a healthy cell. The body then unknowingly spreads it.
We can’t see the virus. We see the symptoms first. Misdiagnosis is ultimately more dangerous than not knowing any diagnosis at all. We often think the problem is outside of us and the solution is inside of us. We think if we fix external things, our job, marriage, or family, then we’ll be happier, better, or cured. But the problem is deep inside of us. Sin poisons our hearts, minds, and souls.
If you are not dealing with the root issue--sin between us and God--it will be like placing a band-aid on a gaping wound. We need an expert diagnosis.
Sin, in its very nature, is deceptive. It masks itself and it numbs us. Sin is universal, impacting everyone, everywhere. But it can easily go unseen.
We want someone qualified to treat us. When it comes to an expert on sin, we need someone who has expert knowledge on sin, but hasn’t had any experience with it - since sin damages a person from the inside.
“Only those who try to resist temptation know how strong it is. ... We never find out the strength of the evil impulse inside us until we try to fight it: and Christ, because He was the only man who never yielded to temptation, is also the only man who knows to the full what temptation means—the only complete realist.” (C.S. Lewis)
Sin promises great things. But sin lies. It is deceptive and never gives what it promises to give. Don’t run to false cures. No one can rescue you but God. Consider the wisdom, power, and love of God behind your rescue.
Consider, too, the beauty of a life of holiness. “Holiness is primarily being brought near God, to God, to be all His.” We can walk as close to Him as possible. No longer do we inquire of sin, “How close can I go without getting in trouble?” Instead we ask, “How close can I walk with you?”
Near the end of his life, Mike Strevel preached on the Christian looking for the return of Christ, wearing the robe of righteousness. “Do you want to take that beautiful robe and go and get into the muck?”
Can you, your family and friends, co-workers, or neighbors afford to waste precious time with a wrong diagnosis of our real problem? Will you determine to re-visit this whole issue of the nature of sin--what it is, how it acts, and what is the cure?
O great eternal Original, and Author of all created being and happiness!
I adore You, who has made man a creature capable of religion and taught us to say, Where is God our maker?
We lament that degeneracy has spread over the whole human race, which has turned our glory into shame, and has rendered the forgetfulness of God, unnatural as it is, so common and so universal a disease.
Holy Father, we know it is Your presence, and Your teaching alone, that can reclaim Your wandering children and impress a sense of divine things on the heart. Amen.
(Philip Doddrige)
A Guide to Family Worship
This prayer is taken from our new book, A Guide to Family Worship.
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Show Notes
Podcast Resources
Holiness, J.C. Ryle