The Doctor and the Inmate

There is no difference between Jew and the Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.

Romans 3:22b-23, NIV

During my last visit to the cancer center for a follow-up check, I got a picture of sin.

Let me explain.

As I waited for the doctor to call my name, I heard one of my former doctors called back as a patient.

Next, I watched an inmate, in chains and a striped uniform, come in with a guard.

The two women led very different lives. Yet cancer affected them both.

Here’s where the illustration breaks down. Cancer affects a lot of people — but not everyone.

Sin affects every single person. The doctor. The inmate. You and me.

Unlike some cancers, sin has a cure. His name is Jesus Christ.

Yet just believing in Jesus isn’t enough. James 2:19 says even the demons believe.

True faith in Jesus requires surrender and change.

For instance, you might believe that surgery can remove the cancer. But until you let the doctor operate, you still have cancer.

In the same way, we all have things in our lives that we need to surrender and let Him remove or change.

Lord, show us the sin in our lives and help us to repent and surrender to You.

Stacy Graves