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Sickness and death are universal human experiences, yet they continue to puzzle many. Despite all the advances in medicine and technology, no one has found a cure for mortality. The Bible, however, provides a profound and satisfying explanation for why humans suffer from sickness and death, and it also offers a clear hope for a future without these burdens. This chapter will examine the origins of sickness and death from a biblical perspective, explain the provision God has made through Jesus Christ, and discuss the hope that forgiveness of sins brings.

Why Are Sickness and Death a Puzzle?

Sickness and death seem unnatural to us, despite their prevalence in the world. We instinctively resist death and grieve when loved ones die, which raises the question: Why do humans have such a strong aversion to death if it is supposedly a natural part of life? The Bible provides an answer that resonates with our innate sense that we were not created to die.

Ecclesiastes 3:11 states that God “has set eternity in the human heart.” This means that humans were designed to live forever, which is why death feels so wrong. God created mankind with the desire for everlasting life, and the Bible consistently reveals that humans were intended to live in perfect health and never die. The existence of sickness and death is a distortion of God’s original purpose for humanity.

Furthermore, Romans 5:12 explains that “sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned.” This verse clarifies that death is not a natural part of life but rather a consequence of sin. Sickness and death are therefore puzzling because they are not part of the original design for humanity; they are the result of mankind’s fall into sin.

How Did Sickness and Death Come to Affect Us?

The Bible traces the origin of sickness and death to the disobedience of the first humans, Adam and Eve. In Genesis 2:16-17, God commanded Adam not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, warning that if he did, he would “surely die.” Adam’s disobedience in Genesis 3 brought about the entrance of sin into the world, and with it, death.

Romans 6:23 states, “For the wages of sin is death.” Sin, by its very nature, separates us from God, who is the source of life (Psalm 36:9). As descendants of Adam, we have inherited the sin nature and, as a result, are subject to both spiritual and physical death (1 Corinthians 15:22). Physical death, with its attendant sickness and suffering, is a manifestation of the separation from God caused by sin.

The suffering that accompanies sickness and death serves as a stark reminder of humanity’s fallen state. While individuals may experience moments of health and vitality, the presence of illness and the inevitability of death point to the broader consequences of sin that affect all of creation (Romans 8:20-22).

Why Is the Solution to Sickness and Death Up to God?

Since sickness and death are the results of sin, they cannot be overcome by human effort alone. The solution must come from God, who alone has the power to undo the effects of sin. As Romans 5:12 makes clear, death entered the world because of Adam’s sin, but the following verses provide hope: “For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!” (Romans 5:17).

God’s solution to sickness and death is found in the provision of a ransom through Jesus Christ. The concept of a ransom means that something must be given in exchange to set someone free. In this case, Jesus’ perfect life was offered as a ransom to free humanity from the curse of sin and death (Matthew 20:28). Jesus, being sinless, could offer his life as a substitute for ours, providing a way for our sins to be forgiven and for us to be reconciled to God.

How Has a Ransom Been Provided?

The provision of the ransom is central to God’s plan of salvation. Jesus’ death on the cross paid the penalty for sin, which is death, and his resurrection provided the guarantee that death can be overcome (1 Corinthians 15:21-22). The ransom is described in 1 Timothy 2:5-6: “For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.”

Jesus’ willingness to die on behalf of humanity is the ultimate expression of God’s love. John 3:16 captures this truth: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The ransom provides the means for eternal life because it satisfies the justice of God while extending mercy to sinners.

The ransom also makes it possible for God to restore the earth to its original condition, free from sickness and death. Revelation 21:4 provides a glimpse of this future hope: “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

What Basis Is There for Our Sins to Be Forgiven?

Our sins can be forgiven because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that “without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness” (Hebrews 9:22), and Jesus’ blood was shed to atone for the sins of humanity. His death was the perfect and final sacrifice that fulfilled the requirements of God’s justice.

Through faith in Jesus, we can receive the forgiveness of our sins. Ephesians 1:7 declares, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.” This forgiveness is not something we can earn by our own efforts but is a gift of God’s grace, available to all who believe in Jesus and repent of their sins (Acts 2:38).

The basis for our forgiveness is therefore not our own righteousness but the righteousness of Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:21 explains, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Jesus’ righteousness is credited to us when we place our faith in him, making it possible for us to stand before God forgiven and justified.

How Do You Respond to What God and Jesus Have Done? (1 John 4:9-11)

The appropriate response to God’s love and the sacrifice of Jesus is to love others and live in obedience to God’s commandments. 1 John 4:9-11 reminds us of the depth of God’s love: “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”

Our response to God’s love should be one of gratitude, expressed through our love for others and our commitment to live according to His will. Jesus said, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Obedience to God’s Word is the natural outflow of a heart that has been transformed by His grace and mercy.

This response is not motivated by fear or obligation but by a deep sense of gratitude for what God has done. When we recognize the magnitude of the sacrifice that was made on our behalf, we are compelled to live in a way that honors God and reflects His love to the world around us (Matthew 5:16).

Forgiveness of Our Sins Can Involve What Prospect?

The forgiveness of our sins through Christ opens the door to the prospect of eternal life. Romans 6:23 contrasts the consequences of sin with the gift of God: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Through Christ, we are not only forgiven but also given the promise of life beyond death.

Jesus’ resurrection from the dead provides the assurance that death will not have the final word. 1 Corinthians 15:54-57 declares, “Death has been swallowed up in victory. Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting? The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

The prospect of eternal life means that sickness and death will one day be eliminated altogether. Revelation 21:4 promises a future where “there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain.” This hope is not a vague wish but a confident expectation based on the resurrection of Jesus and the promises of God.

Through the forgiveness of our sins, we are reconciled to God and given the hope of eternal life in a restored creation, free from the effects of sin. This hope gives us the strength to endure the challenges of life, including sickness and death, knowing that a better future awaits.

In conclusion, sickness and death are the result of humanity’s fall into sin, but God has provided a solution through the ransom sacrifice of Jesus Christ. By accepting this sacrifice and placing our faith in Jesus, we can experience forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life. This hope not only comforts us in the face of sickness and death but also motivates us to live in a way that honors God and reflects His love to others.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).