Treating Sin Like the Coronavirus
Last week, I was looking at Facebook, and I came across a post that made me stop and think. It was a simple statement; but it was earthshaking in its implications. The post said this: “What if we treated sin like it was the coronavirus.”
It was one of those things that I couldn’t get out of my mind. You’ve done that with a song, haven’t you? You hear a song in the morning, and then you find yourself humming the tune the rest of the day. You can’t get it out of your mind.
That’s the way this statement has been for me. It just keeps rattling around in my head. So, I thought that I’d try to flesh out today the thoughts that this statement have brought to mind.
“What if we treated sin like it was the coronavirus.”
Now we know that the coronavirus is a serious problem, don’t we? We know that it can infect us and cause illness. It has impacted hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. Some are saying they’ve had mild symptoms, while others are having severe consequences. And because of the seriousness of this outbreak, we’ve been asked to do some extraordinary things to prevent its spread. It’s a serious issue.
But the fact is, we have another problem that is even more serious than the coronavirus. We call it sin. And we all know that that sin is a problem, don’t we? We know that sin can come into our lives and cause spiritual illness. And if we let sin go too far, it can cause spiritual death. It can cause us to do things we know we shouldn’t do. It can keep us from doing things we know we should do.
James 4:17 (NASB95) tells us:
17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
The most common NT word for sin is hamartia. Hamartia means “failing to hit the mark”; it means that we deviate from God’s prescribed law. God’s law is like a bull’s eye on a target; and we try to hit the bull’s eye and fail, not just once or twice, but repeatedly. In the N.T. sin is always described as a deviation from God’s law in a moral sense. And whether by omission (failing to do what we know is right), or commission (doing what we know is wrong), sin can happen in our thoughts, our words, or our deeds.
There’s also another word that describes sin. The word parabasis means a “trespass” or “transgression.” This word literally means to “step across the line.” We see signs all the time posted on private property that say, “No Trespassing.” We know what that means. If we step over a property line, we have trespassed on another person’s land. It’s like that with sin as well. The person who steps across, who ignores God’s standard of righteousness has committed a trespass or transgression.
Now it seems that some people are OK with sin. In fact, sin seems to be promoted and encouraged by the Hollywood scene. We see movies and TV shows that depict sin as no big deal. We read books where sin is encouraged, and elevated and practiced. We see governments passing laws that legalize what God says is sin. And we many people who are living a lifestyle where sin is ignored, where God’s commandments are broken. But you see, here’s the big problem with sin.
Romans 6:23 (NASB95)
23 For the wages of sin is death,…
Now because the coronavirus is a serious issue, the world is treating it seriously. In places where the virus is spreading, we’ve been using extraordinary measures to try to stop its impact. Every single person is being encouraged to change the normal way of doing things, and life has been changed dramatically in response to this disease.
But here’s a thought. What if we got as serious about the sin in our lives as we have about the coronavirus. “What if we treated sin like it was the coronavirus.” How would our lives change? In the next few minutes, let’s look at how we are responding to the coronavirus and how we could make similar responses to sin.
Separating Ourselves
Since the first cases were identified, we have seen that one of the first responses to the coronavirus outbreak is to separate ourselves. We’ve all become familiar with a new word in the last few weeks called social distancing.
Since this virus is spread through contact with someone who is infected, we have tried to distance ourselves from the possibility of coming in contact with it. We’ve been told to stay in our homes and not make any unnecessary trips lest we come in contact with the virus or spread it to others. We’ve been told to keep our distance from people to decrease the possibility that we will come in contact with this virus.
With our problem of sin, the way we got in trouble was that we distanced ourselves from God. It wasn’t God who moved. We social distanced ourselves from God.
Psalm 66:20 (NASB95)
20 Blessed be God, Who has not turned away my prayer Nor His lovingkindness from me.
God didn’t move. But we moved away from God’s directions and from God’s protection. And we see countless examples all through the Bible of what happens when people ignore God’s instructions. Even God’s Chosen people, the Israelites, when they ignored God’s directions, they always got in trouble.
Isaiah 59:2 (NASB95)
2 But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, And your sins have hidden His face from you so that He does not hear.
And folks, we still see it today. Ignoring God, distancing ourselves from God will allow sin to take over.
Hebrews 3:12 (NASB95)
12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.
James 4:8 (NASB95)
8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you…
That’s a big problem today. We have distanced ourselves from God.
But what if we treated sin like we are responding to the coronavirus. What if, instead of distancing ourselves from God, we came nearer to God and we distanced ourselves from sin.
1 Corinthians 15:33 (NASB95)
33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals.”
What if we distanced ourselves from those who tempt us to do wrong? What if we distanced ourselves from those who hang out at the bars and get drunk? What if we distanced ourselves from corrupt business practices? What if we distanced ourselves from those who lie, and cheat, and steal? Don’t you think our world would be a lot less sinful.
Psalm 1:1 (NASB95)
1 How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
In other words, blessed is the one who distances themself from sin. That word blessed can also be translated “happy.” One of the things people say they want most in this life is happiness. And God gives us the formula for happiness. Those who distance themselves from sin will be happier and will be blessed.
So, what if we treated sin like we are responding to the coronavirus. What if we distanced ourselves from sin?
But here’s something else we’re doing.
Washing Hands/Using Disinfectants
In our response to the coronavirus, scientists tell us that increased frequency of washing our hands helps to decrease the infection rate. They tell us the same thing every flu season. Washing our hands helps decrease infection. You see, when we touch a surface that has viruses on it, the viruses can stick to our skin in almost a glue-like way. Some describe it like a Velcro bond. Now rinsing with water might dislodge some of the viruses, but soap not only loosens the glue between the virus and skin, but it also disrupts the Velcro-like interactions that hold the proteins, lipids and the RNA in the virus together. So, with soap, you aren’t just washing the virus down the drain, you are actually demolishing the virus, like a demolition team breaking down a building brick by brick.
We use disinfectants too to kill viruses. Alcohol-based products kill viruses by disrupting the encapsulation of the viral contents, but soap is better because you only need a fairly small amount of soapy water to dislodge and break down the viral membrane, while you have to soak the virus in alcohol for a moment or two, and using disinfectant wipes or gel on the hands does not guarantee that you soak the entire surface of your hands. But disinfectants have their place.
Cleansing our hands is the way we prevent the spread of the virus.
What if we did that with sin? What if we washed our hands of the unrighteousness and the filthiness of sin?
All through the O.T., we see the rituals of cleansing for people who had communicable diseases. Listen to the instructions God gave to Moses:
Leviticus 14:8–9 (NASB95)
8 “The one to be cleansed shall then wash his clothes and shave off all his hair and bathe in water and be clean. Now afterward, he may enter the camp, but he shall stay outside his tent for seven days.
9 “It will be on the seventh day that he shall shave off all his hair: he shall shave his head and his beard and his eyebrows, even all his hair. He shall then wash his clothes and bathe his body in water and be clean.
The Children of Israel went through some elaborate steps to rid themselves of disease and cleanse themselves.
What if we worked to cleanse ourselves from sin? What if we tried to remove sins from our lives? Now there is a theological term for doing that. It’s called repentance—to be sorry for our sins and to change our ways. It’s turning from sin and turning toward God.
What if we cleansed our mouth of cursing and foul language? What if we cleansed our eyes from lustful looks? What if we cleansed our hearts from envying what other people have and were satisfied with what God has blessed us with? What if we cleansed our hearts and minds from impure and evil thoughts? What if we removed hate, and anger, and strife? The list could go on. You add what affects you most.
You know, that’s God’s expectation for the Christian.
1 Peter 1:14–16 (NASB95)
14 As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance,
15 but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior;
16 because it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
What if we cleansed ourselves? What if we repented of our sinful ways? What response do you think we would receive from God?
2 Corinthians 6:17 (NASB95)
17 “Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate,” says the Lord. “And do not touch what is unclean;
And I will welcome you.
Philippians 4:8–9 (NASB95)
8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.
I believe, and the Bible backs me up on this, that if we strived to remove evil from our lives, we would see a change in this world that we could not imagine. I believe if we strived as hard to cleanse ourselves from sin as we are working to cleanse ourselves from this virus, that God would bless us to an extent we could not fathom.
But it seems that no matter how hard we try to do what is right, we slip up. We fall short of God’s expectations.
And that’s true for our efforts to eliminate the coronavirus. No matter how hard we try, it seems some still become infected.
Seeking Medicines for Treatment
That’s why, right now, there is a concerted effort to find a cure. Researchers are frantically trying to find medicines that work against this virus. They are testing antivirals that we already have, to see if they work against Covid-19. They are looking at the blood of people who have had the disease to try to find antibodies that will fight the disease so that immune globulins can be made to fight the disease and boost immunity. They are searching for vaccines to prevent this disease. We need a medicine that will work against this virus.
And you know, we all need a medicine for the spiritual disease of sin. Because the infection rate for sin is astronomical. In fact, it’s 100%.
Romans 3:23 (NASB95)
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
But the thing is, we already have an antidote for sin. God graciously provided that antidote when He gave His only Son to die on a cross for our salvation.
While we were desperately trying to find a way to be forgiven of our sins, and failing miserably, God provided a way.
Romans 5:6 (NASB95)
6 For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.
Galatians 1:3–4 (NASB95)
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ,
4 who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Christ died to provide the only effective treatment for our sins.
1 Peter 3:18 (NASB95)
18 For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, so that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit;
And here’s the promise God gives to us.
1 John 1:7 (NASB95)
7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.
You know, I look forward to the time when we will be able to meet together again for our corporate worship. I think the first Sunday back together in our church buildings is going to be an awesome time. But even while we are separated by distance, we are not separated from God’s love. And because of God’s love, we can fellowship together as brothers and sisters in Christ, even while we are having to stay in place. And we can thank God that we are right now being cleansed of the sins we commit because of the blood of Jesus Christ.
Those of you sitting at home right now can rededicate yourselves to to God, and strive to distance yourself, from sin. No, it’s not easy. But it’s eternally worth it.
Maybe you are sitting at home right now wishing you could be freed from your sins, but you haven’t accepted Christ as your Savior so that He can provide the salvation you want and need. If you want to become a Christian, I ask you to call me today. We’ll make arrangements for you to be baptized as quickly as possible so that you too can know the forgiveness of sin that Christ offers.
References:
Ethelbert W. Bullinger, The Companion Bible: Being the Authorized Version of 1611 with the Structures and Notes, Critical, Explanatory and Suggestive and with 198 Appendixes, vol. 2 (Bellingham, WA: Faithlife, 2018), 161.
Billy E. Simmons, “Sin,” ed. Chad Brand et al., Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2003), 1506.
The science of soap – here’s how it kills the coronavirus. Pall Thordarson. The Guardian
