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It has been a week of sickness at my house.  Our little girl has RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus) – a potentially dangerous infection of her respiratory system.  My wife and I both have colds – the annoying kind that just wears one out without much external symptoms.  If our house was a ship – we would be flying a yellow flag and anchored outside the harbor.

There is no treatment for RSV or the common cold.  They are both virus related.  The only thing that can be done is treat things symptomatically.  Breathing treatments, Tylonol, and nasal suction for the baby – and Advil Cold and Flu for the adults.  Our baby is doing fine – and responding well to things.  Her parents on the other hand…

All this leads me to reflect upon Jesus’ conversation with the wise teacher of the Law.

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”…But he who practices the truth comes to the Light, so that his deeds may be manifested as having been wrought in God. -John 3:5,21

Unlike my virus – which is now firmly and comfortably at home in my nasal passages – there are things in our lives that cannot be treated symptomatically – however hard we try.  There are support groups for every kind of addiction. Government programs for childhood obesity.  Self-help books to give us a better and brighter self-image.  And in the end – while all these things can be helpful – none of them really accomplish a thing.  We can treat the alcoholism, we can stop looking at dirty pictures on the net – but unless the underlying sin is brought to bay – nothing lasting will be brought about.  Self-help books, support groups, or just plain willpower will not change nor heal what is beyond help -  our very souls.

In his conversation with Nicodemus, Jesus was adamant about the impossibility of seeing the Kingdom of God without first treating the underlying problem – our inherent  sinfulness.  To further compound the problem – the only way that disobedience can be taken care of is to throw out everything and start again.  The old nature won’t work – and cannot be patched  – that is  Christ’s message.  Unless we are born again by the Spirit of God – not wiped clean but MADE clean – then we will never see the Kingdom of God – in this lifetime nor the next.

Only then – when the old has been destroyed and the new in place – then can we do the things that will bring us out of darkness.  Only with the imperishable seed of Christ can we  see our problems for what they are – sinfulness   Only with the Spirit can we overcome these problems – not for our own health – but for the greater glory of God.

Where are you today?  Have you struggled constantly with actions and attitudes – but never seem to get peace?  Do you replace one addiction with another, or go from program to program seeking happiness.  Quit trying to treat it symptomatically – it cannot be done.  Seek instead the love and forgiveness of Jesus.

Off to take another Advil…

There is a balm in Gilead
To make the wounded whole;
There is a balm in Gilead
To heal the sin sick soul.

A balm, a salve, a healing and soothing ointment.  It seems that in these days of economic and moral distress, we all are seeking something not to just take away the pain, but that will also  bring healing as well.  No matter what side of the political aisle  we find ourselves, all of us have “fallen short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)  In that shortfall is the source of our pain, our grief, and our sorrow.  It makes sense that our separation from the Author of all Joy only results in emptiness.

Some times I feel discouraged,
And think my work’s in vain,
But then the Holy Spirit
Revives my soul again.

I love this spiritual because it gets right down to brass tacks – I hurt, I am depressed, and I am not getting anywhere.  And we all feel that way at times.  But then, it reminds us that in the Holy Spirit, we are revived.  Given that this is a spiritual that grew out of the agony of slavery, we can see that this simple trust in Jesus takes away even the deepest of sorrow.  “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)

If you can’t preach like Peter,
If you can’t pray like Paul,
Just tell the love of Jesus,
And say He died for all.

Of course, our faith is not just about us.  We are also to bring this balm to others.  Not all of us can preach, nor teach, nor lead thousands in prayer with elegant words.  But, we can share the love of Christ with those around us – through our actions and words.  “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)