If You Would Like to Stop AIDS Dead in Its Tracks

The terrifying truth is that AIDS has reached epidemic proportions. Almost 1 in 200 people in the United States is HIV positive. Millions more around the world are infected. Hundreds of thousands have died, and all those infected face certain death unless a cure is found.

What a tragedy! What can be done? Can the suffering be averted? Can the havoc that AIDS is wreaking on the global economy be avoided?

Before we attempt to answer this, we need to look at a "virus" that has struck mankind that is even more destructive than AIDS. That virus is sin--the violation of God's law. Sin causes spiritual and eternal death in contrast to the physical death resulting from AIDS. Further, it is a plague that has infected all of mankind. One hundred percent of the world's population is sin positive.

Like the HIV virus, symptoms of sin are not always immediately visible. A "little" lie, a dishonest deal, a secret affair, may seem hidden--but it will not be forever. It has taken its poisonous hold on the soul and will inevitably produce death.

"Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:14, 15).

What does this all have to do with AIDS? Much.

Over 90% of the cases in which AIDS is contracted are linked with a life-style that is in direct opposition to God's law for mankind, whether it is from IV drug use, promiscuous heterosexual relationships, or homosexuality. Therefore, the spread of AIDS would diminish drastically if everyone chose to follow God's law instead of their own ways.

A recent article in U. S. News and World Report states that in less than eight years as many as 110 million people worldwide could be HIV positive. It mentioned that many people are condemning the government for not spending enough on AIDS research and prevention--that in spite of the fact that we have spent 5 billion dollars since 1970 and will spend 480 million this year.

However, the article not once brought up the issue of personal responsibility. It not once suggested that the most effective method for combating AIDS is by returning to God's blueprint for man's good and fulfillment--the Bible. The Bible says marriage is to be between a man and a woman who have committed themselves to each other for life, and that sexual relationships before or outside of the marriage covenant are wrong and destructive.

Although the Bible has been ridiculed as narrow, impractical, and hopelessly out of date, its truth speaks for itself in the lives of those who believe and practice what it teaches. And with good reason; the Bible is not man's ideas. It is God's Word.

God told His people, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success" (Joshua 1:8).

God also promised that if the people would follow Him, He would allow none of the diseases that had plagued the Egyptians to come upon them (Exodus 15:26).

God didn't put together a set of laws to make living miserable for man. He had the highest good of man in mind when He dictated the Ten Commandments to Moses. He, man's Creator, is the only one qualified to write the owner's manual. The Bible pronounces a blessing on all who follow God's law but says, "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law" (Galatians 3:10).

So whether it's open sexual immorality or hidden hatred or jealousy, breaking the law brings the offender under a curse.

We have all broken the law, so we are all under the curse. Does that mean we are all doomed? No! That's where the good news of Jesus comes in. "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree" (Galatians 3:13). Not only does Christ's death and resurrection redeem us from the curse of the law, it also gives us the power to live above the law. We can meet the righteous requirements of the law when we follow the Spirit instead of the sinful nature (Romans 8:1-4).

The AIDS epidemic is only one symptom of the deeper sin problem that plagues fallen man. Only by returning to God in repentance and allowing Him to give us the power to live out the righteous requirements of the law can we have hope of eternal life. A side benefit is freedom from the diseases man brings on himself through violation of God's moral law.

So friend, whatever your condition, whether sick or well, it's never too late to experience the inexpressible peace and healing of God in your heart. Even if you're facing death itself, God loves you and offers you eternal life with Him.

Will you make that decision today?

If you want a new life

"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19).

"Put off the old man with his deeds; and put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him" (Colossians 3:9, 10).

"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy" (Proverbs 28:13).

Receive Jesus as your Lord and Saviour!

"As many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name" (John 1:12).

"He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him" (John 3:36).

Follow Jesus as your Master!

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, if any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16:24).

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

Join a spiritual fellowship of believers!

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).

© Copyright, Christian Light Publications

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