While I’ve no doubt there are many lessons we can learn from the coronavirus outbreak, the one that has drawn my attention more than any other is the length of time a person can be infected before they know it. Did you know Typhoid Mary, who it is believed infected fifty-one people with typhoid, never had typhoid fever herself? She was the first person in the U.S. identified as an asymtomatic carrier of the disease. Outbreaks of typhoid fever followed her wherever she was employed. In the same way, people may be carriers of the coronavirus, infecting others for some time before exhibiting symptoms.

Early guidelines for citizens during the coronavirus outbreak suggested one only needed to wear a mask if one was sick. The problem was, many people were sick and didn’t know it, thus unknowingly spreading the disease to unsuspecting people.

This idea of people being sick without knowing it reminds me of how much more serious it is to be afflicted by the deadly virus of sin, yet be completely unaware. In the politically correct society in which we live, it is unacceptable to even disagree with someone else’s opinion or lifestyle, let alone refer to any behavior as “sin.” Yet all around us are those who are not only dying in their trespasses and sins but are afflicting others without even knowing they are sick.

In the case of the coronavirus, it is helpful to wear a mask to protect ourselves and others in case they or we are asymptomatic carriers of the virus. But this is where the analogy ends. Wearing a mask will not protect us or others if we are unknowingly carriers of the deadly virus of sin.

Only by accepting the truth of God’s Word that “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), as well as accepting His solution, “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness,” (I John 1:7) can we be freed from this virus ourselves and freed from infecting others. Also, if we as Christians want to be involved in combating this virus, we must accept God’s Word for the standard that determines what is and is not sin, rather than accepting our politically correct culture’s definition.

Rejecting the truth about our ability to be carriers of the coronavirus, even if we are symptom-free, may cause trouble in this life, but our refusal to accept the truth about being carriers of the deadly virus of sin will affect us for all eternity. The blood of Christ is only effective for those who acknowledge their sin.

Father, forgive us for rejecting your estimation of our condition when we are dying in our sin. Shine your light into our darkness and give us hearts receptive to your truth. Amen.

“If you had the cure for cancer, would you keep it quiet?

I have the cure for the malignancy of the soul, and His name is Jesus.” (Kathy Lee Gifford*)

*This statement by Kathy Lee Gifford was taken from an interview done by Megan Kelly after the death of Billy Graham.