In the third part of our series, let’s continue to focus on the similarities between the Corona virus and a disease far more deadly than the former, even whilst exploring remedies for them…
Costly and Centerpiece…
“For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God” (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT)
To what extent a person infected and dying with Corona virus would go to get hold of the medicine that would cure him instantly? No prizes for guessing… He would be willing to pay any price for it.
The amazing thing when it comes to salvation from sin is, one need not pay any price at all for it. Oh, it is given free of cost, and that is why, amongst other reasons, it is also called the “great” salvation (See Heb. 2:3) to anyone who comes to the Almighty with a sincere and a contrite heart (See Ps. 51:16-17) willing to personally appropriate Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross in his life (See Acts 2:37-38/Rom 10:9-10).
Just as any dying Corona virus patient would immediately consume a curative medicine given to him the escape from imminent death, urgency in repentance of a sinner would be set in motion only when a sinner is able to see, figuratively speaking, what is staring at him: The eternal death! Without that God-inspired conviction, no genuine repentance is possible. When I repented on Oct 16th, 1983 I virtually breathed into my nostrils some of the “smoke coming out of the hell-fire” (so close was I to the “gates of Hell” and condemnation)! Say Dear Reader, have you tasted the joy of your sins being forgiven? If not, please do not delay. Visit the Savior’s Call now!||
I urge you once again to say this prayer and experience for yourself a joyous, Christ-centred life from then on. From now on, you would have the inner power of His indwelling Spirit (See 1 John 4:4) to say “NO” to your erstwhile pleasure-seeking desires, and say “Yes” to life of humble subjection to God’s Holy desires aimed at your eternal benefit. Ah…you would be restored to the original, pristine condition Adam and Eve enjoyed before the Fall. This is what genuine repentance in Jesus’ Name does, restoring the immeasurably precious right relationship with our Creator! Attend a Local Church regularly now to further strengthen your faith in Christ.
While salvation is given free to us, we should always remember with a grateful heart what it cost Christ to give salvation to us. Oh His indescribable suffering simply cannot be quantified, nor can the value of His priceless blood ever be calculated! That is why while participating in the Lord’s Table (See 1 Cor. 11:23-32), we need to every single time renew our love borne out of gratitude for Him.
Going by medicinal analogy, what makes Christ’s (also called the good Doctor — See Matt. 9:9-12) redemption work the centerpiece (absolutely unique) of human history is that no doctor has ever in the human medicinal history “infected” himself with a virus whilst discovering a vaccine for it. Whereas Christ “infected himself” with a virus called sin so that in exchange, we get His good health (the right relationship with our Creator — See 2 Cor. 5:21). Yes, research scientists like Jonas Salk may have vaccinated themselves with the vaccine they discovered (in Salk’s case, the one for polio) to prove its efficacy to the World, even whilst taking all the risks associated with such an action upon themselves. But even such noteworthy actions simply pale into insignificance in comparison when we consider the fact that our Divine Doctor Christ got Himself voluntarily infected with the killer disease, experiencing indescribable pain (See John 14:30), in order that His sick and dying patients could get His good health in return.
Care and Compassion…
Metaphorically speaking, what would be the natural reaction of a dying Corona virus patient be if he comes across a Doctor who is willing to take the killer disease upon himself in order the former could get the latter’s good health in return?
With a heart overflowing with gratitude for such a selfless doctor, and with heart full of concern for other needy, sick Covid-19 patients, the miraculously-cured patient would broadcast to every other sinking Corona virus patient the Good News about his recovery, courtesy of the good doctor. He would also urge those patients to rush to him, in order they too would benefit from his wondrous “treatment”
Now should I need to remind the Christian readers of the “Great Commission” i Matt 28:18-20) at this time?
Even in these days of limited social interaction and opportunities, it is our bounden duty to tell with love and humility (See I Peter 3:15) every one we come across. This includes physically as well as in cyberspace, after establishing a rapport with them. Why? Becuase this is what Christ has done for us. He has cured us of a far deadlier disease than Corona, even while lovingly inviting everyone to submit themselves to His Divine treatment in order they too are delivered from their lethal spiritual ailment.
With the “fear of death” hanging in the air, many hearts have been spiritually ploughed (read softened-up) now, as it were, to receive better the “good seed of Good News”, than at any other time in the recent history.
For those of us with a Blessed hope, maybe the painful process of death may seem bothersome, but not death itself, for: “Because God’s children are human beings–made of flesh and blood–the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death. Only in this way could he set free all who have lived their lives as slaves to the fear of dying.” (Heb 2:14-15 NLT). At any time, all Christians ought to join the Apostle Paul in chorusing these immortal words borne out of wondrous hope: ”To live is Christ, to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21 NLT). Why? Because the moment we close our eyes on Planet Earth, we would open the same in a far better world free of any disease. More than anything else, this blessed hope seen in every area of our lives, which make us fearless to death (read living differently), would draw those who have not yet tasted Christ’s redemptive power to His loving arms.
I am not for a moment saying that Christians ought to be “care-free” at this time, without adhering to Government rules aimed at overall public safety. No, not at all! For none of us “ought to put God to a foolish test” (Deut. 6:16 NLT — See also Matt. 4:7) by looking out for trouble! By the same token… In these days of social distancing, whilst leaning towards “doing all that is possible from getting infected”, we need to distance ourselves from frantic fear of death borne out of faithlessness.
Prayer: Father, enable us to reach out in love to all those who have not tasted Thy redemptive love. Even as they observe our Blessed Hope in Thee may their hearts be drawn unto Thee. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
Suresh Manoharan
Hyderabad-India
J and SM Ministries
(To access the entire “A Cure for a Virus Deadlier Than the Corona Virus” mini-series, please click here.)