An Infectious Disease Out of Control

There is a hysteria level of concern over the world threat of Ebola. Here in America, it is dominating the press, broadcast and cable TV news, as well as radio, newspaper and web based outlets.How bad of a threat is it?Really bad if you live in East Africa. The first known case was discovered in 1976, but the most recent outbreak has taken thousands of lives in places like Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, just this year. And it is showing no signs of slowing. In fact, it is spreading to other places.The problem is, Ebola is extremely infectious, meaning that contracting only a single cell is likely to produce such serious illness that can lead to death. In some places, Ebola contraction has a death rate as high as 90%.Most of those reading this, however, live in America. How bad of a threat is it here? Well, we now have three known cases (as of Thursday) and a couple of other possible cases here in the United States. That’s very sad for those with the disease, but hardly an epidemic. Way more people will die from the common cold this year in America, than will probably contract Ebola. And because of a more sophisticated medical system here, the prognosis is much better with probably a 70% chance of recovery if you did contract the virus at this point.I know it’s still scary, but nothing like another disease that carries a 100% death rate, and one that you’ve already contracted. In fact, you’ve also already developed its symptoms.If we are concerned about Ebola, and we should be, we should be far more concerned with the greatest threat to all humanity––SIN.Maybe because we’ve all gotten it from our parents and have passed it onto our children, that we’ve grown accustomed to it being a problem. Maybe because we see the symptoms in everyone else, also that we lull ourselves to ignore its eternal threat to our own souls.But there is no problem facing humanity like the problem of sin. It is the source of all our other problems. It destroys our self-understanding and ability to gain fulfillment and genuine worth. It destroys relationships, dividing us from family and friends. Worse yet, it cuts us off from our creator and condemns us to an eternal separation from the God who made us and loves us.But there is a cure that is 100% effective.The cure is found in a blood transfusion. Just as some Ebola victims have received transfusions from those who have the right antibody in their veins, Jesus shed his blood on our behalf to provide for us the cure…absolute forgiveness for our sin and restoration with God.Sin…now that’s worth being concerned about. It’s a bigger problem than any other, and the mother of all other problems.Jesus…he took care of it. Receive his life into yours and you won't have to worry about controlling the threat of sin, it will be eradicated!