“The difference between Uncle Sam and Jesus Christ is that Uncle Sam won’t enlist you in his service unless you are healthy and Jesus won’t enlist you unless you are sick.”
But the amazing thing is that: “God is not only the doctor who prescribes [the proper medicine to cure our sickness]. He is the nurse who lifts up our powerless head and puts the spoon in our mouth. And He is the medicine” (John Piper).
What a great image of who God is to us – He is the One with the cure, He is the One who administers the cure, and He is the cure!
But have we cried out to Him for the cure? We might cry out, but what are we really crying about? I remember moments in childhood when I had disobeyed Mom or Dad, got caught, heard what my punishment would be (often a spanking!), and broke into tears. But was I really crying with repentance wanting a cure for my bad behavior?
“Many a criminal will weep when his sentence is read, not because he has
come to love righteousness, but because his freedom to do more unrighteousness is being taken away. That kind of weeping is not true evangelical repentance. And it does not lead to radical Christian obedience.
“The only true sorrow for not having holiness comes from a love for holiness, not just from fear of the consequences of not having it” (John Piper).
Too many times I was crying because I got caught… Not because I was disappointed in myself. How many times am I still unconcerned with righteousness as an adult?
How else but through a broken heart may Lord Christ enter in? –Oscar Wilde
So it is great that we have a cure, but what if you never cry out for it? What if you never develop that broken heart? You will be left empty. And I want to be filled to the top with life. I want to be completely satisfied. “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.” – Jesus
Thank You God for being the Cure for my sickness! And for helping me to realize that I was sick and in need of help.
Father, give me a love for your holiness!
— brian rushing
2 replies on “We’re Looking for a Few . . . Sick Men?”
I go to the doctor! I listen to what he says! I go to the drug store and get the prescription. I go home and put the pills in the cabinet and never take them. I ignore the doctors orders! I ignore the doctor’s orders! I wonder why I don’t get well? Andy
Ha! Great analogy Andy – Or maybe it’s not an analogy, just real life!