Surviving the Great Pandemic
As I write these words, the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 is spreading like wildfire across the globe. By the time you read these words I hope the worst is over, and this virus turns out to be less deadly than expected. This is a terrible situation, but there have been many similar outbreaks in history.
In the 1300’s the “Black Plague” killed 75-200 million people. Estimates are that between 30% and 60% of Europe’s population died from it.
In 1918-1920 the “Spanish Flu” devastated an already war-weary world. Some 500 million people were infected, and 17-50 million died.
In 2009-2010 the H1N1 “Swine Flu” infected between 700 million and 1.4 billion people. Between 150,000-600,000 of the infected people died.
However, each of these plagues pales in comparison to the greatest scourge to ever impact the human race, the “Great Adamic Pandemic,” spoken of in the Bible.
THE EXTENT OF THE INFECTION
Sin, the “Great Adamic Pandemic,” affects everyone. Scripture says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Adam and Eve sinned. They disobeyed God and their fellowship with God was broken (Genesis 3). Every son of Adam and daughter of Eve who has ever lived has inherited that fallen sinful nature. We are sinners by inheritance and by choice. Our individual sins vary, but the ‘sin issue’ goes far beyond the seriousness of specific sins. Every one of us is born with a sin nature, a pre-disposition to sin. Does any parent have to teach their child to disobey? No, disobedience comes naturally.
THE CONSEQUENCE OF THE INFECTION
Sin has consequences. Theologians speak of the “Seven Deadly Sins”—the “PEGLAWS”—Pride, Envy, Gluttony, Lust, Avarice, Wrath, Sloth. Yet, in reality, every sin is deadly. Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death.” The “Great Adamic Pandemic” is 100% fatal, no exceptions! Death is a reality, but few people take the time to consider it Biblically. We are aware of physical death, the separation of a person’s soul from the body. Even those who survive this new coronavirus/COVID-19 will experience physical death at some point. The Bible says there is another far more serious death, spiritual death, the separation of a person’s soul from God for all eternity.
In 1546 the reformer Martin Luther died. Luther had written these words inside the cover of his Bible:
“Born once, die twice.
Born twice, die once.”
Let’s “unpack” Luther’s statement. It means:
1. Anyone who has only been born once (born physically) but not born spiritually (“born again,” see John 3:3) will experience both physical and spiritual death.
2. Those who have been born twice (born physically and born spiritually) will only experience physical death. They will never experience spiritual death.
THE CURE FOR THE INFECTION
During the “Black Plague” of the 1300’s, people were desperate for a cure. They did not understand germ theory, or how the plague was transmitted from rats to fleas to humans. Therefore, their attempts to treat the disease were useless. By contrast, The “Great Adamic Pandemic” has a cure. Romans 6:23 says the wages (payment) for sin is death. The verse goes on to say, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
You and I do not deserve the cure for the “Great Adamic Pandemic.” We cannot earn it. We cannot buy it. God cannot be bribed or bought off. Because God loves us, He provides salvation freely, as a gift. He sent His Son, Jesus, to pay our sin debt on the cross. John 3:16 says,
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
A cure for the coronavirus/COVID-19 will be found. How foolish if someone dying from that virus is offered the cure but refuses to take it?
Regarding the “Great Adamic Pandemic,” someone has said:
“Life is short, Death is sure;
Sin the cause, Christ the cure.”
Don’t refuse sin’s cure. Don’t reject God’s gift of eternal life, which only Jesus Christ can provide. Admit your sin to God. Accept His gift. Trust Christ alone for Salvation. It’s the only way to survive the “Great Adamic Pandemic.”
Blessings to you! — Daniel E. Benton
