It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. (Matt. 9:12)

MARIANNE FAILED TO SEEK medical treatment for an illness. When her condition worsened, relatives urged her to see a physician. She stubbornly refused. One day Marianne lost consciousness and was rushed by ambulance to the hospital, but it was too late. Her once-treatable disease had become terminal. Within a few days of hospitalization, she died.

Marianne wouldn’t accept the reality of her sickness. In much the same way, many unsaved people won’t acknowledge the truth of their sinful condition. Like the Pharisees, they try to justify themselves before a holy God by doing good things and comparing their own behavior to the behavior of others. They reason that they’re not as sick as the next person. In fact, they reckon they’re much better than most. The Bible tells us that all people are born into this world spiritually sick with sin and that their righteous works can’t save them (Rom. 3:10). So when we compare, we are comparing the sick with the sicker. Sinners must realize their helpless state, repent, and receive the healing power that comes from receiving Christ as their Savior. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23).

The condition of a heart consumed with sin is terminal until it is touched by the Great Physician’s hand. When it comes to sin sickness, Jesus Christ is the only cure.

Praise Jesus for His saving grace and pray for those who don’t know Him.

Nancy Reinke lives in the Colorado Rockies with her artist husband. She enjoys writing, hiking, grandmothering, and encouraging others.