What Would You Do If You Had a Cure?

I heard a pastor share this parable and was so struck by its clarity that I wanted to share it with you. He began, “Imagine if you had a cure for cancer and you put it in your shirt pocket. Then you proceeded to Oncology, where cancer patients were being treated. Maybe you walked into some of the patient's rooms and helped fluff their pillows, make sure they had water to drink, and tried to lift up their spirits. After spending some quality time, you leave those patients and head home. You would probably be wondering why, if I had the cure for cancer in my pocket, I just focused on doing nice things for the patients but didn’t bring the healing that was within my grasp”. From that parable, the speaker went on to compare it to our Christian lives. We usually live a fairly good life, trying to help other and do what is right. The problem is, if we are speaking with those who are not confident in their faith, those good works and kind words will not benefit them in eternity. Like the man in the parable that had the cure for cancer, we have the cure for sin, which results in forgiveness here and the assurance of eternal life with Jesus. We are nice to those that are walking in sin. The world cannot heal them, and they continue to die spiritually. Just like the man in the parable needed to present the cure to the patients, we need to speak life to those we meet. If you are not sure if they are a believer, share the words of life. If they believe, they will be encouraged by your words. If they say they believe, but are offended, there might be too much pride present. Either that, or they put on the appearance of faith, but their heart is not still hungering for God and His word. If, however, it is an unbeliever or a seeker of God, then a seed will be planted, and they know the hope that we have. You might consider yourself a physician's assistant. The physician, who has diagnosed sin and presented the cure (his sacrifice on the cross). He now sends you and me to bring the cure to those that have contracted this disease called sin. It is a lethal virus, as even the smallest amount means certain death. Don’t just take... deliver the cure to those you meet. Father, You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia. Heal us and send us into the world to bring the good news. Amen