“I didn’t know how sick I was until I got well.” This is often said, in retrospect, by people who have struggled with their health-wise upon their recovery. Many times, the focus on fighting against and simply coping with the symptoms of their illness hampered their ability to properly evaluate how sick they really were. At other times, it results from getting used to living with the symptoms such that it becomes commonplace for them, it’s the “normal” for them. Lastly, for some, this realization results from their desire to deny and not acknowledge they are sick at all, deluding themselves into thinking all is okay even when those around them may know that’s not the case. Regardless of the reason, it often takes a family member, a trusted close friend, or a medical professional to clue them in on the depth of their illness and advise them on the needed steps to resolve, or find the resolution for, what ails them. Following this advice and counsel is the first, and many times most critical, step to getting well and, eventually, lead them to understand how truly sick they were.

I have found this is not only true of the physical ailments we are prone to encounter in this life but also, more critically, in the “illness” we all battle spiritually. As unpopular as it is to say these days, this spiritual illness we all battle has a name – sin. Left unchecked and ignored, sin, like the physical ailments we may have to deal with at times, can leave us oblivious to how “sick” we are until we confront it, rid ourselves of it, and “get well.” Regardless of the reason we may find ourselves there – in our own strength trying combat the effects of sin in our lives, the presence of the sin being commonplace and our “normal for us, or our desire to deny we have sin at all – at the core of the battle is an inability or unwillingness to acknowledge we are sick with the fever of sin at all. “I am okay… I have things under control… I am not in sin.” Or even worse, “I know what I am doing is wrong according to the Bible, but God understands my situation and heart, and He will firgive me for what I am doing because He is a loving and gracious God.” We could go on and on with the excuses and reasons people, and we, use to deny or justify sin but, prayerfully because of God’s patient love and grace, we will one day wake up and ask, “How did I get here?” It has been said, “Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay.” I have found this true in all cases when it comes to sin. But God… Who is always faithful even when we are not, will graciously at these times send someone to us, or He Himself will speak to us directly through His Spirit and His Word, to shed His light on our “illness” – our sin – and His prescription, His remedy, to get well is always the same – humbling oursleves before Him in godly repentance which leads to cleansing and forgiveness, and making restitution to those we have hurt if its needed. John, in 1John 1:9, said it this way when it comes to being healed of sin – “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Walking in this truth, when we find oursleves afflited with the fever of sin, will bring resolution to what is ailing us, breaking down the wall of separation that sin created in our relationship with God, and leave us in right standing with God, able and ready to glorify and serve Him.

As discussed in the previous post, to live out the ultimate resolution in our lives requires us to get real with God, humbly acknowledging who we truly are apart from Him, whether for the first time leading to our salvation or as we wrestle with God daily in our walk of striving to be more like Christ. This acknowledgement will lead us to be increasingly governed by God in our lives. The second, third, and fourth definitions of resolution highlighted above add to this understanding, by exposing another obstacle to living out the ultimate resolution – the need to acknowledge and agree with God when we find oursleves in sin and then avail ourselves in the “heavenly prescription He provided for us – the power of Christ’s blood to forgive and cleanse the repentant sinner, leading to a restoration of right relationship with God. I am reminded of the question asked of the sick man at the pool of Bethesda, “Do you want to be made well?” Like the man, we can offer excuses for why we are “sick” but Jesus simply responds to us as He did that man, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” In other words, do works befitting of repentance – repent, seek God’s forgiveness, and walk in truth goign forward. Perhaps the greatest obstacle in all of this is, simply yet profoundly, our willingness to hear from and listen to the Lord – through His Spirit, His Word, and His people – which is the ultimate first step of getting well and such a vital part of the sanctification process God is working in and through our lives. Let us not despise the chastening hand of God but, rather, embrace it. As we do, and as we experience the healing from sin that comes through repentance, we will walk in freedom and often find ourselves saying, “I didn’t realize how sick I was!” Take it from me, it may be painful at times to confront the sin in our lives but better that than continuing to battle sins effects or walk in delusion, self-denial, and lack of acknowledgement of the sin that brings about separation in our relationship with the Lord!

Until next time, join me in asking of the Lord…

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my thoughts;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.
(Psalm 139:23-24)