4:120 – What You Call The Disease, I Call the Remedy

#faithbites #faithjourney disease

Setting

Yesterday we discussed that sometimes things that we think should make us better actually make us ill. Today, we are going to flip that on its head. Sometimes, something that the world says is a disease is actually the remedy. The title for today’s #faithbites comes from the Mighty Mighty Bosstones, “Another Drinkin’ Song”. While the song refers to alcohol as the remedy and the disease, this concept can apply to our faith. Remedy vs disease , not alcohol 🙂

When I was becoming a Christian, someone said are you joining the “Bad Lutherans” or the “Good Lutherans”. I didn’t know what they meant at the time. Then we have many who say Christians are evil, bad, selfish, and the list goes on and on. Some attribute the decline in our country to Christianity while some Christians say the decline in our country is due to non-Christians. We aren’t going to debate that here.

Being a follower of Christ is a personal #faithjourney. It isn’t necessarily tied to church membership or political ideology. It is the idea that Jesus died for our sins, forgives us for our sins, and bridges us to eternal life with our father. For me, that is the remedy for everything that ails you.

Today’s Questions: What do you think when someone disparages Christianity? How do you use your faith as a remedy to cure the disease of sin? How can you help others who think Christianity is the disease?

Scripture

• John 4:16 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
• Hebrews 4:16 – Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
• Acts 4:12 – And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Reflection

Words alone won’t be able to convince someone that Jesus is the remedy. We have to share our story about how our faith has impacted our life. How we act is how others judge Christianity and Jesus. Are we acting as one who believes he is the way, the truth, and the life? Are we acting that he is the only way for salvation? Do we share the whole story of the Bible, which is to love God and love one another?

When I say I am broken, people have said that I should have more self-respect or that any religion that says its people are broken is bad. I say, I am imperfect but through my Savior, I am forgiven and made perfect. It is what gives me strength in the darkness. I look at all people as children of God and those who are loved, no matter their sin and no matter what anyone else thinks about them.

God is the remedy for sin. Jesus is the light in the darkness. It is up to us to be an example of that love here on earth.

As we close, think about how you emulate Christ daily, even through your own personal ups and down.

Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank you for forgiving us. Thank you for reminding us that even if the World thinks following you is bad, we know better. You have shown us the way and given us strength. We pray that you help us be the example of Christianity that you want. An example that is loving, caring, nurturing, respectful, and above all forgiving as you forgave us. We pray this in your name, Amen.