Heart disease is one of the leading causes of death for both men and women worldwide. When a person suffers from heart disease, the small arteries that bring fresh blood and oxygen to the muscle of the heart become constricted due to plaque build-up. This eventually causes heart failure. A cold, hard fact about heart disease is that in the upcoming year it will kill over 600,000 people in the U.S.A. This number is roughly equivalent to the total number of casualties on both sides in the Civil War. Medical experts also tell us that approximately one out of every four people living today will eventually die from the condition.
The good news is that heart disease can be prevented through exercise and healthy eating habits. The bad news is that if heart disease doesn’t get you, eventually something else will. This is because we have contracted a different kind of heart disease called “sin.” “As by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:1212Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: (Romans 5:12)). A disease is a lack of bodily health. Sin is a disease of our souls and a lack in our spiritual health. It is a deficiency, a breakdown in the relationship between God, the source of all goodness and blessing, and the hearts of men and women He has made.
If not addressed, the heart disease of sin will eventually bring death and ruin on every member of the human race. Death has a double aspect about it. Physical death results when a soul is separated from a body, and it is grim indeed. But spiritual death has an even greater impact and takes place when a soul is separated from God’s goodness and love forever. Souls who die in their sins will be sent away to the “outer darkness” of hell. “The children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 8:1212But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 8:12)). The heart disease of sin is nothing to trifle with. A cold, hard fact about sin is that it causes eternal death.
But God has good news. There is a Great Physician for eternity-bound souls. The Great Physician is the Lord Jesus Christ who, so He might have a medicine to heal this most bitter of diseases, gave His life at Calvary. “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3).
By His death and resurrection, the Lord Jesus provided the one remedy for the heart disease of sin. He is the “Sun of righteousness” who arose with “healing in His wings” (Malachi 4:22But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. (Malachi 4:2)). As the Great Physician, He gives the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life to all who come to Him by faith. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)).
In the Bible we read how multitudes of sick, lame and diseased folks came to the Lord Jesus while He walked on earth, and He healed every one of them. “When Jesus knew it, He withdrew Himself from thence: and great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all” (Matthew 12:1515But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all; (Matthew 12:15)). The same is true now for all those who realize the sinful condition of their hearts and come to Him by faith. He fully delivers them from the consequences of their sins through His death on the cross. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:2424Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (John 5:24)).
When they die, their souls will be welcomed into the glories of heaven. Then at a future moment the bodies of believers will be made anew and reunited with their souls. In their resurrected state they will never be touched with any kind of physical or spiritual ailment again. For all eternity they will enjoy the presence of God in a most marvelous way. This is the truly healthy result of trusting in the Great Physician, the Saviour of sinners!
“Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Won’t you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Great Physician of souls, that He might be your Saviour?
Your heart health may appear to be good, but don’t let your spiritual health slip for as long as the man in Ben Veggors’ Interrupted Meal.