Dr. Gordon Alles helped spearhead the development of insulin but (ironically) died of diabetes鈥攁 disease he either didn't know he had or refused to treat. Today we'll examine the tragedy of refusing the remedy that's right in front of us.
Hebrews 9:22, 28 "Without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins... So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him."
Dr. Gordon Alles was a celebrated chemist who spearheaded the development of insulin鈥攖he remedy for diabetes. In January 1963, upon returning from a trip to Tahiti, Dr. Allam suddenly died. The cause of death? Ironically, diabetes鈥攁 disease he never knew he had. Or worse鈥攎aybe he knew he was diabetic and refused to take the remedy. Can you imagine having the remedy right in front of you and refusing to use it, to take it? That would be foolish!
Yet I want you to understand that's what millions of people do every single day with the person and work of Jesus Christ.
I'm not a very emotional guy. I can count on one hand the times I've cried since I was a boy. But it should move you (and me) to tears to think about the fact that you rub shoulders with people every day who will die in their sins. Why? Because they refuse the Remedy: Jesus Christ.
The message bears repeating:
You do not have to die in your sins.
You can die "in the Lord."
Can I ask you a question? When was the last time you told someone that they need not die in their sins because Jesus has already died for them?
On the first Sunday of every month, my church observes the Lord's Table (communion). And in those moments we reflect on the reality that Jesus is called the Lamb of God not just because He's meek, mild, and tender, but because He was slaughtered like an animal so that you do not have to die in your sins.
The gravity and the depth and the profundity of God's love for you is that on the cross He bore the judgment you and I deserve. All of our sins were borne by Jesus.
It is a sobering reality to consider that, according to the Bible, Hell is a very real place. Thank God, so is His grace. It's just as real. And He offers that grace to you today if you believe in Him.
What's real belief? Well, there are a number of passages we could look at, but I love what the author of Hebrews says: "So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him (9:28)."
Saving belief, saving faith is not just for people who "check a box." It's for people who "eagerly await for Him." Meaning one of the birthmarks of someone who has been delivered from their sin is that their attitude and hope is: "I can't wait to be with my Savior - He saved me from His wrath by bearing that wrath in my place."
1. Who in your life needs to hear this urgent message about the only remedy for sin?
2. If you're in Christ, are you living as someone who "eagerly awaits" your Savior's return?
Stay dialed in, Jonny Ardavanis