My wife had exploratory surgery on Friday morning to determine whether or not she has endometriosis.  The symptom: a considerable amount of consistent pain.  When she woke up from the anesthesia after surgery, she heard the diagnosis, or lack thereof.  No endometriosis, and a clean bill of health.  Reason to rejoice?  Absolutely.  Yet, in another way it is also discouraging.  What about the pain?  How is this undiagnosable pain supposed to be cured or coped with?  No diagnosis can, in many cases, be more discouraging than a diagnosis of a disease that can be treated.

So it is with the person who doesn’t “hear” the diagnosis of the source of all real pain in this life.  Those who refuse to acknowledge their sin will be continually frustrated with life, wondering why life is so difficult.  Why is life hard, frustrating, and sometimes ugly?  Because of my sin and your sin, which has created a world of chaos and hurt, and ultimately leads to death.  The good news is, there is a cure to this sin and death, and his name is Jesus.  For those who are made children of God through Jesus Christ (the one who cancels our sin), sin loses its power and death loses its sting.  “We know that for those who love God all things work together for good [read: even sin, here], for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)  While sin is always damaging, ultimately God will use what was meant for evil, for the good of those who love him, and for the glory of God.  Don’t get me wrong, sin is our enemy, but God has defeated it in such a way that it is powerless to be of any ultimate damage to God’s children.  Moreover, sin is even utilized in the plans of God to bring about good for the children of God.  (Just think about the crucifixion of Christ.  It was obviously sin for the Jews and Romans to nail Jesus to the cross, but it was Jesus’ work on the cross that culminated in our redemption.  God certainly used this sin for our good!)

However, if we never really “hear” the diagnosis of our disease (sin), then we can’t ever receive the cure (Jesus), and the power of sin will rule us, leading us into more and more misery and ultimately destruction.  The diagnosis brings hope for a cure.  Be quick to see your sin, to admit your sin, to believe others when they see sin in your life, and with all eagerness apply the cure.  Believe the gospel.

And as far as my wife is concerned.  Pray for her, and for us, that we won’t be discouraged, and that she would have strength to endure.  Pray that I would take care of her and joyfully serve her, especially when she is in pain.  Pray that this trial will make the real diagnosis of our deepest disease all the more precious to us (in light of the cure).  Praise God that we can look with eager anticipation towards the day when our bodies will be restored in the presence of our King.

For more on this topic, download the book History’s Most Spectacular Sin by John Piper for free right here.

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