NO REMISSION

I Was Just Thinking About – NO REMISSION.

In the field of medicine, those who struggle with Cancer in its various forms, anticipate hearing the word – “remission.” But that doesn’t always occur. A trusted friend shared the following note from one of her personal friends: “Doctors say I will never get better or go into remission...I am not giving up, but I want to make others aware. A nap won't help. I am not lazy. I am on meds. I struggle with pain, mobility issues and fatigue every day. The most frustrating part is people look at me and say: It can't be that bad; you look fine. Despite the fact that my body is experiencing excruciating pain all over…”

Just think of the phrase “no remission” and equate it with the message it conveys to the hearer – there is no hope for your recovery. With all of the advances in the field of medicine and treatments, there is a reality – some diseases are in a category that are deemed to be incurable. Regardless of one’s faith and hope, latent thoughts about the incurable creep in and out of the mind. It’s not an issue of doubting God or believing prayer is ineffective. The fact is that faith and hope are exercised to a high degree but a person, friend, family member succumbs to the disease of cancer.

I know this first hand. My Great Grandson, Keaton Lucas Barron, struggle with Leukemia from 2 ½ years of age until he succumbed to the disease at 8 years of age. There had been a very brief period where it was thought he was in remission – but – shortly thereafter, it returned with a vengeance. The prayers and tears, the various treatments, the cheerful willingness of the child to be subjected to the various tests and treatments came to an end on May 11, 2018. For Keaton, there was no physical remission. As a child, he could’ve been in the 93% of complete remission but that wasn’t to be. Is it an easy thing to accept? No! Is grieving over his death easy? No! That’s why the note above is so timely, especially in the words: “This disease affects me physically, mentally, and emotionally. I need your support, not your judgment.”

Sadder still are the words “no remission” when spoken of one’s spiritual status. In Hebrews 9:19-22 (NKJV), “Moses…sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry.  And according to the law almost all things are purified with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no remission.” Other translations use “no forgiveness” in place of “no remission.”

Just think of that moment of horror when one who has had no time for religion or Jesus Christ has died,  It may be a person who had been a philanthropist and done many acts of kindness in behalf of others and particular needs. When that person dies and stands at the portal of heaven, the words that will be heard are “no remission” -  “no forgiveness.” Why?

Ephesians 2:8-9, “It is by grace you have been saved…it is a gift of God…not of the works of a person, lest anyone boast and expects special rewards and position based upon his .benevolence. Ephesians 1:7 clearly states that it is “In Jesus Christ we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness (remission) of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

Physically, there is no way that a human being can prevent or cure cancer in his/her body. If a person could, they would do so. To gain the possibility of remission, it is necessary to yield to invasiveness of some form of treatment. The process may require surgery, or radiation, or chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, etc. It is in the hope of being cured of this dreaded disease. While there has been tremendous progress made with various treatments, cancer still proves to be fatal for both young and old alike.

In the spiritual area of one’s life, one has to come to God with/in faith. It is by GRACE one is saved through FAITH and becomes the recipient of GOD’S GIFT – ETERNAL LIFE. Ephesians 2:8 dovetails with John 3:16 – whoever believes in Him – Jesus Christ – should not perish but have everlasting life.

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.