May 1, 2020
What a Savior!
Article by Dennis Call
“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,” that’s how the Apostle Paul describes the mission and finished work of the Gospel message in I Timothy 1:15. What does it mean to save sinners? Saved from what?
A Terminal Condition
Have you ever observed two young children fight over a toy? Often, these children are still too young to speak to one another yet, there is something inherently in them motivating their behavior. What is behind their behavior?
Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA contains the genetic instructions important for the development, function, and ultimately even the death of all living things. These building blocks for life are the genetic material passed on from one generation to another, impacting a person’s height, and eye and hair color. The dominant genes found in their DNA are determining those traits, while recessive genes remain hidden. When problems arise in a person’s DNA, genetic disorders develop in many of their key bodily systems and though physicians are able to provide treatment to alleviate symptoms, most of the underlying conditions cannot be cured.
Sin, or simply speaking, a violation of God’s law revealed in the Bible (Psalm 119) and in nature (Romans 1:20) like DNA is passed on from generation to generation. Sin, like malfunctioning DNA is inherently a breakdown in the proper order of things resulting in a practical rejection of God in our daily lives. No one has to teach us to sin, we are born with the dominant sin gene and it manifests itself very early in our development as human beings. Just ask any parent who until the birth of their second child saw their first as “angelic.”
The Depth of Our Disease
Because we are all impacted by sin, everything we do is marred by it, and even the good or altruistic endeavors of our lives have mixed motives behind them. Like cancer affects the tissue around it, sin corrupts and hardens our hearts, minds, and souls, leaving us suffering from its terrible results. Just because our sin is less visible than someone else’s is irrelevant. No one would neglect receiving treatment for cancer because the symptoms aren’t as bad as their neighbor’s. We are all in need of new tissue, what we need is a new heart.
Like the treatment of most genetic disorders, we tend to focus on the symptoms of sin rather than the root cause. Most of us are able to mitigate the visible symptoms of our sin nature by controlling our environment, isolating our true selves to such an extent that few people ever have the opportunity to see who we really are. Yet, when things happen that are beyond our control, we are no longer able to conceal our true nature and the sin buried deep within is exposed. There is nothing better than adversity to reveal our character and values.
But once adversity hits, and it will, what do we do about the revelation of sin in our lives?
Some will turn further inward, looking to themselves for answers. Others focus on their work, family, or entertainment. Some will even look to the government, or religion to provide the treatment for what ails them. Which category do you fall into? Are you focusing more on work or friendships to cope with the pain and discomfort newly exposed in your life?
All of these remedies simply treat the symptoms and fail to address the underlying genetic disorder that plagues humanity, our sin.
The Healing Work of the Great Physician
Only Jesus Christ, the “Great Physician” who came into the world to treat the sick is able to address our sin and provide the healing our heart, mind, and soul desperately need. Only Jesus Christ is able to replace our hardened, corrupted heart. Only Jesus Christ can make all things new. Only Jesus Christ, who came to seek and save those who are lost is the trustworthy savior. Only Jesus Christ can save us from the spiritual death sin introduced into our lives.
The Lord Jesus Christ alone can sympathize with our weakness. His manner is gentle and only He can provide the grace and mercy our desperate heart needs.
Cry out to the faithful and trustworthy Savior and He will deliver you.
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Dennis Call
Author of Battle Hard Blog
Dennis Call joined the Army as an infantry officer shortly after the 9/11 attacks on our country, serving fourteen years on active duty. During his Army service, Dennis deployed for thirty-three months to Iraq and Afghanistan in support of the Global War on Terror. Prior to joining the Army Dennis served as the Director of College Ministries at First Baptist Church in Texico, N.M. where he mentored students at Eastern New Mexico University in Portales, N.M. Dennis and his amazing wife Katie live in Colorado Springs, CO with their five children (four boys and one super sweet daughter).
