“The Disease That is100% Fatal” 

“The Disease That is 100% Fatal” 

Study Guide #2 

Steps to the Kingdom Series 

A woman several years ago woke up one night with a twinge of pain in her stomach.  Thinking that it was something that she ate at dinner, she took an antacid and went back to  sleep. Over the next few months the pain would come and go and each time she would take  medication to ease the symptoms. Each time she rationalized that it must have been something  she was eating so she changed her diet and this did relieve her pain somewhat. With each  passing month, the pain would get more intense and the medication relieved the pain less and  less. Her husband urged her to see a doctor but she refused to go, fearing that the doctors  would subject her to unnecessary and painful tests. More time went by and the pain was so  intense that the woman could hardly stand or do anything. She suspected the possibility of  cancer and yet she continued to fear what the doctor would tell her and so she continued to  refuse medical help. She instead chose to listen to the advice of well-meaning, but unqualified  friends for ways in which to treat her condition. Nothing helped. It wasn’t until she passed out  on the bathroom floor one morning that her husband rushed her to the hospital. Tests revealed  that the woman did have cancer and the doctors performed an emergency operation in an  attempt to remove the cancer. Unfortunately it had spread and was so extensive that the doctors  could do nothing to save her. Had she gone to the doctor earlier they would have been able to  save her but her decision to delay seeking help proved fatal. 

Does the stubbornness of this woman remind us of anyone today? Perhaps it might  remind us of ourselves in a spiritual sense? As our spiritual health deteriorates under the  disease of sin, do we choose to ignore the symptoms and instead tell ourselves that we can cure  our own ills? God is the Great Healer, the Mighty Physician, who has the cure for the disease of  sin. He longs to heal us from this dreaded and 100% fatal disease but we must be willing to  surrender to His leading in order to receive the healing that is set aside for us. Let us search the  Scriptures to find the cure for the disease known as sin.

What The Bible Says…

1. What does the Bible describe as sin? 

“Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” 1 John 3:4 

Note: In the King James Version, the verse says that, “For sin is the transgression of the  law.” Going against God’s will and defying His law is considered sin. Anytime an  individual puts their own will ahead of God they commit sin. Consider that in 1 John  5:17 God says, “All unrighteousness is sin…” If a man chooses to disobey God’s law,  then they are choosing to be lawless which is in fact sin. 

2. Do the Scriptures tell us how many people have sinned? 

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23 

Note: The verse is very clear: ALL have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory! Human  beings, at the time of their understanding between right and wrong, have chosen to  commit sin rather than follow God’s precepts. This makes them sinners and worthy of  the wages death. No man can escape death apart from the saving grace of Jesus Christ. 

3. What did mankind’s sin introduce into the world? 

“Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin,  and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned” Romans 5:12 

Note: Many question why it is that they are being punished for sin if they were not  responsible for committing the first sin against God. The fact is that sin spread to the  entire world because ALL have sinned. We each can think back and remember a time  when we committed sin and we will probably have to confess that the sin was done by a  willing heart. Each of us willingly followed Adam into rebellion against God. Sin is like 

a rotten apple in a barrel of good apples. One apple will spoil the whole bunch. Sin  spread like wildfire and has enveloped the whole earth. Its stain can be seen worldwide.  Sin is not only fatal but it also leaves ugly scars along the way. 

4. Does sin carry a wage? 

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our  Lord.” Romans 6:23 

Note: A “wage” is defined as, “A fitting return; a recompense.” Death is a fitting return  for those who choose to engage in sin; however, the verse gives us good news as well.  Though man is deserving of death because of sin, man can obtain eternal life because  God chose to give us the gift of His Son Jesus Christ to die on the cross and pay the  ransom on our behalf! 

5. What is the death the previous verse talked about? 

“Then Death and Hades were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And  anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:14-15 

Note: The verses states that anyone whose name was not written in the Book of Life  would be cast into the lake of fire and suffer the “second” death. A “second” death  would imply that there would be a “first” death. The “first” death is the death that all  mankind goes into at the end of life. A person dies, a funeral is conducted, and then the  person is buried in the ground, awaiting the resurrection (see 1 Corinthians 15:50-55; 1 

Thessalonians 4:16-18, Revelation 20:4-6). The second death is the death that awaits  those who have been judged and found lacking. Those who do not accept God’s gift and  is not found in the Lamb’s Book of Life receive their punishment at that time. There will  be no opportunity to repent because their time of probation has come and gone and no  change was evident in their life. They have chosen death over life and will receive what  they have asked for. 

6. Is it possible for us to live a good life and do what is right without God? 

“As it is written: “There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who  understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all turned aside; they have  together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one.” “Their  throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of  asps is under their lips”; “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet  are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of  peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.”Romans 3:10- 18 

Note: There is not a one among us who is naturally good. We have permitted sin to  separate us from God. Isaiah 59:2 points out, “But your iniquities have separated you  from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not  hear.” It is clear that we alone cannot do what is right. We must depend wholly upon  God to redeem us and help us overcome sin. 

7. How many Commandments can a person break before it is considered sin? 

“For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of  all. For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,” also said, “Do not murder.”Now if  you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of  the law. So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.” James  2:10-12 

Note: The answer is simple: ZERO! There is no “grace period” on the number of sins a  person can commit before they are considered offenders of God’s law. If a person  transgresses in even one point of the law, then he is guilty of breaking the entire law!  Some find this to be unfair of God but take into consideration that a person here on earth  can be sentenced to life for breaking one law even though there are literally thousands of  laws on the books. Man can condemn you for breaking one of thousands and yet God  only asks you to keep 10. The 10 Commandments are the laws that God demands we  observe. How can be sure that it is the 10 Commandments God is referring to here?  Consider that the verse refers to the 10 Commandments when it states, “Do not commit 

adultery,” and “Do not murder.” Note that the verse says that a person is a transgressor  of the law even though they broke only one of the laws quoted. Sin is sin regardless of  how insignificant it may seem to us. We are required to observe God’s Law in order to  avoid sin. 

8. Must a person actually act out the sin before it is considered sin? 

“You have heard that it was said to those of old, „You shall not murder, and whoever  murders will be in danger of the judgment.‟ But I say to you that whoever is angry  with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever  says to his brother, „Raca!‟ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, „You  fool!‟ shall be in danger of hell fire. Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar, and  there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there  before the altar, and go your way. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come  and offer your gift. Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with  him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the  officer, and you be thrown into prison. Assuredly, I say to you, you will by no means  get out of there till you have paid the last penny. “You have heard that it was said to  those of old, „You shall not commit adultery.‟ But I say to you that whoever looks at a  woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” Matthew  5:21-28 

Note: A person can be guilty of committing sin even if they haven’t actually committed  the act itself. Note that a person who even LOOKS at a woman to lust for her has  committed sin in his heart. This does not mean that a glance at a woman (or man) has  condemned you to sin. There is an old saying that goes, “You can’t keep a bird from  flying over your head but you can keep it from building a nest in your hair.” In other  words, you can’t help it if an attractive individual crosses your path but you can help  prevent your thoughts from formulating thoughts of lust. Guard your mind, eyes, and  heart from the wiles of sin. 

9. What do the Scriptures say regarding our words? 

“But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it  in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words  you will be condemned.” Matthew 12:36-37 

Note: Your words will play a tremendous role in the outcome of your judgment in the  last days. Hurtful words, gossip, idle chatter that do not uplift Christ and our fellow  man will be used against you in God’s Court of Law. It is imperative that everything we  say and everything we do should be done for “the glory of God,” (1 Corinthians 10:31.)

10. How did the Apostle Paul feel in comparison to Jesus Christ? 

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the  world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.” 1 Timothy 1:15 

Note: When the Apostle Paul compared his life to that of Jesus Christ it made him  realize how wretched he truly was. Despite being raised and trained in the priesthood  and understanding the law, Paul realized that apart from Christ there was no hope of  salvation. This is the way it should be for us as well. When we come to know Jesus  Christ we will find that our lives are filthy in comparison to His life. We find that our  “righteousness are like filthy rags,” Isaiah 64:6. This allows us to understand the expanse  power of Jesus Christ and His ability to cleanse even the most disgusting of souls.  

11. What did Paul desire to discover? 

“O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” Romans  7:24 

Note: Paul declared himself wretched and asked to know who would deliver him from  death. We must also acknowledge that we too are wretched and in need of salvation.  The greatest tragedy will be those who failed to realize their wretchedness too late and  find themselves being rejected by God and excluded from the kingdom.  

12. Isn’t being a good person good enough for Christ? He wouldn’t leave me out of heaven  if I haven’t done bad things in life, would He? 

“Not everyone who says to Me, „Lord, Lord,‟ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but  he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, „Lord,  Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done  many wonders in Your name?‟ And then I will declare to them, „I never knew you;  depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!‟” Matthew 7:21-23 

Note: It is a sad fact that many will be left out of the Kingdom of God despite their  works. The verse describes those who will plead their case by pointing out all the work  they had done in Christ’s name and yet He will declare them strangers. According to  their testimony they have done nothing but good and yet they are commanded to  depart. . Some may question why God doesn’t simply consider the works of these folks  and grant them salvation based on them. It must be noted that these individuals are  people who practice lawlessness. Recalling that lawlessness is sin, these individuals  have sins within their lives that they cling to. It is evident that good works, by itself, is  meaningless. The reason behind their works must be evident. It is not enough to simply 

do good works; their good works must be as a result of their love for God, not as a  means of earning their way into heaven. 

13. Where do we find forgiveness and salvation? 

“I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve  the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.” Romans 7:25 

Note: Only Through Jesus Christ forgiveness and salvation is attainable. God’s gift of  eternal life comes by accepting His Jesus Christ as the sacrifice He has provided.  

14. Healing from sin is possible in what way? 

“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins,  might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like  sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your  souls.” 1 Peter 2:24-25 

Note: Through Christ’s stripes we are healed. The following quote explains it best:  Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for  our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we  had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His.  “With His stripes we are healed.” Desire of Ages pg. 25 

Through His suffering we have obtained glory. Eternal life is ours because Christ paid  the penalty of death for you and me.  

15. What will God do with our sins when we accept His promise and confess? 

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us  from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 

Note: God promises to forgive us of our sins and to make us clean! However, notice that  this verse comes with a small two letter word that makes the difference between  righteousness and continued filthiness: “IF.” This verse is a conditional promise: IF we  confess our sin THEN He is faithful and just to forgive us. We must repent and confess.  Forgiveness is not automatic as some presume. When we do God will forgive us. 

16. Will our sins be held against us even if we confess them to God? 

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their lawless deeds  I will remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12

“He will again have compassion on us, and will subdue our iniquities. You will cast  all our sins into the depths of the sea.” Micah 7:19 

“Indeed it was for my own peace that I had great bitterness; but You have lovingly  delivered my soul from the pit of corruption, for You have cast all my sins behind  Your back.” Isaiah 38:17 

“As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from  us.” Psalm 103:12 

Note: Can there be any doubt about what God does with the sins we have confessed to  Him? Our sins, once they have been confessed and forgiven, are removed from our  record, never to return. It is difficult for us to understand as human beings how this is  possible since it is in our nature to remember transgressions done against us even if we  “forgive” the offender. How many times have you “forgiven” something of a loved one  only to bring it up again the next time a disagreement broke out? God does no such  thing to us. When He says, “forgive and forget,” He does exactly that. 

17. What makes us clean from sin? 

“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one  another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 

Note: Nothing but the blood of Jesus can cleanse us from all sin. Note the verse uses the  word “all.” There is no sin in the world that cannot be pardoned by Christ’s sacrifice.  His blood is sufficient to cover our deficiencies, no matter how “bad” you think your life  has been. 

18. Is God really willing to forgive and save anybody, even the worst sinner? 

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is  longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come  to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 

Note: The Lord extends to us grace and time so that we can come to know Him and be  freed from the bondage of sin. It is not God’s desire to see anyone lost. He loved and  created us all and wants us all to come to repentance. No one is “too lost” or “to full of  sin” to be saved by God’s healing grace.  

If ever there was a time that man needed hope it is now and what a message of hope the  Scriptures provide for us! Man has been condemned for his decision to rebel against God. The  Law requires it and yet man has been given an opportunity to escape the second death (the 

natural death that we experience on earth is the first death) that separates us from God  eternally. It should be evident from this study that God’s love for us is immeasurable. He gave  His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to come to this world, take on the form of man, live like we  live, and die in our place, so that we could live again. It is possible to live forever, if we choose  to do so.  

How comforting it is to know that God is able and willing to forgive us and save us from this  fate. There is no reason anyone should perish but all should have everlasting life. Christ told the  parable of the lost sheep to serve as an example of how desperate God is to save all mankind: 

“Then all the tax collectors and the sinners drew near to Him to hear Him.  And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners  and eats with them.” So He spoke this parable to them, saying: “What man of  you, having a hundred sheep, if he loses one of them, does not leave the  ninety-nine in the wilderness, and go after the one which is lost until he finds  it? And when he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when  he comes home, he calls together his friends and neighbors, saying to them,  „Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!‟ I say to you that  likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than  over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance.” Luke 15:1-7 

Perhaps you feel like that lost sheep. Perhaps you are tired of wandering and worrying about  your future. Now you know that your sins have been forgiven and that you have been saved  from your sins by Jesus Christ. Now is the time to reach out and receive the gift Christ offers  and you can rest assured of a place in the Kingdom of God. Accept His invitation today.