|
Audio articles on Wilson County News made possible by Richardson Bros Chevrolet in Floresville. |
By Thomas W. Bonham
One of the most popular performers of the vaudeville era was WC Fields (1880-1946). Although Fields might make the audience laugh, he was certainly not a Christian and did not claim his disdain for the Bible. So it was a great shock when one of Fields’ friends, visiting him in the hospital one day near the end of his life, found him reading the Bible. When asked what he was doing, Fields, still the comedian, replied, “I’m just looking for loopholes.”
Despite my human nature, I have always been aware of the presence of God in my life and often sad to have ignored the obvious advice he gave me. But that aside, I’m grateful for the wonderful way he introduced me to good, life-changing situations at the right time in my life and introduced me to the right people when I needed them. Now, this I could write all day. I see situations in other people’s lives and never hesitate to remind them of God’s activity in their lives, especially when they want to bring healing or a “miracle” chance. I remind them to thank God for their healing, or their doctor or surgeon, because he is the one who placed these good people in their lives. When you get that job at the right time, or you get the money to pay that bill unexpectedly, give glory to God, for he has blessed those who bless you.
[Matthew 9:12; Mark 2:17; Luke 5:31] It’s great to know that God is active in our physical lives, but more importantly, He is the only remedy for our sin-sick spirit. The Bible never explicitly calls Jesus the Great Physician, but this title stems from His statement: “…Those who are well need no doctor, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. We know that doctors strive to heal the physical ailments and diseases of mankind, but we often forget that Christ – our spiritual doctor – works to heal those who die in sin (Romans 3:23; 6:23 ). Ever since Adam and Eve tried to hide from God (Genesis 3:7-8), man has tried to heal himself from sin. Many recognize that they are sin-sick and full of spiritual sickness, but too often they cover their sickness with a band-aid instead of placing themselves in the hands of the Great Physician. From the idolatry of the old to the mysticism of the new age, mankind has sought prescriptions of all kinds as remedies for sin. This includes child sacrifices, confessions before priests, and even the denial of sin itself. However, Job’s words are as true today as when he said, “…But you falsifiers are all worthless doctors” (Job 13:4). Nothing is accomplished if his doctor sends him to the pharmacy for medication when what is really needed is major surgery. Yet this is what happens with personalized remedies for the disease of sin. People disguise sin, rename it, and prescribe it for their spiritual afflictions, but that will never give anyone the relief that only Jesus Christ provides. As a result, mankind remains in sin – not because the Great Physician is unavailable, but because mankind refuses to come to Christ in lowliness of spirit (Matthew 5:3) to hear His Word and accept His remedy. Without it, there can be no healing (Acts 4:12).
“Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there? Why then is there no healing for the health of the daughter of my people? (Jeremiah 8:22). Yes, there is a physician – His name is Jesus Christ, and He alone has the prescription to heal us all from the disease of sin. Remember: “…He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
There are no loopholes or shortcuts to proper physical healings of the body. There are also no escapes or shortcuts to save his mind from eternal hell.
Thomas W. Bonham is associate minister of the Floresville Church of Christ. (twbonham@hotmail.com; ontheroadtoforever.blogspot.com.)
