To the title question of this article, you might quickly say, “No!” That would seem like a reasonable response. However, believe it or not, there are people and cultures in the world who in practice (and/or belief) would think that sharing sickness and disease was love. After all, some people we really just “love so much!” Perhaps we think, well, if they can suffer it, then I will too. Is that love? The face of your spouse, that cute little child, or significant other; wouldn’t it just be love to share their sickness and feel their ill ease together? Is that right? To some, such an idea would seem like madness! And it is madness, isn’t it? Others would just buy it as “love” and suffer the illness of a loved one. However, despite people’s personal opinions and various cultural ideas, what does God have to say about this in His word? It is love, or insanity and sin? Well, let’s take a look at the Bible, the ultimate source for truth and right thinking! Surely, God has an answer for us!
The very first sin of man was done in the name of “love” to a certain dear one, but it savored much more of idolatry and rebellion against God, than it did of love. Certainly, SIN never deserves the name of “love.” It is the farthest cry from it! “Love works no ill to his neighbor: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law” (Romans 13:10). “Sin” however “…is the transgression of the law” of God (1 John 3:4). Sin is the disobeying of God’s law. But “love” is the keeping of God’s law (See also John 14:15,21; 1 John 4:7-9; 1 John 5:2,3). And certainly, “no man can serve two masters” (Matthew 6:24). Adam disobeyed God’s commandment by choosing to partake in the same sin as Eve, his wife. Thus, he became a transgressor too and was put out from the garden along with the woman who he had made an idol over God. Clearly, God hates sin, but loves people (John 3:16; Isaiah 13:9). He will destroy sin, and save those who are willing to escape through His Help. But those who love sin will perish with their sin.
Sin is like a disease. It affects the human race and spreads contagiously. Adam should have remained loyal to God, hating the sin of his own wife (while yet having love for her as a person), and loving God enough to remain faithful to His commands. Adam chose instead sadly, to take the disease of sin from his own wife, and to dishonor God. That was idolatry because he made her greater than God. We have to remember that God himself has the highest claims upon our lives!! It is not that child, or spouse, or significant other in this world, but it is God! Hate sin, and love people. Love God and hate sin!
Sickness, sin, and suffering all come from Satan, not God, and one day they will be done away with fully! (Luke 13:12,16; Revelation 21:4). They are enemies to us and to our loved ones. We should avoid them at all costs! God teaches us the principles of containment and desires to save us from the disease and suffering of the world. He wants us to be well and in good health! (3 John 1:2). Read Leviticus 13 sometime fully when you have the chance. Very serious and contagious diseases were dealt with very carefully. The policy of containment was ordered by God! An infected or contagious person was not allowed to pollute the environment around them or to contaminate others with their disease. They were to receive a certain amount of isolation, as needed, to contain the disease. Again, Romans 13:10 says that “love works no ill to his neighbor.” Therefore, it seems fitting that out of love, those with an infectious disease would labor to contain it. And out of love, those without the disease would labor to give care for one who was sick, while being careful not to contract such a disease themselves (Matthew 9:12; 10:8; 25:34-41).
What about other pesky illnesses and colds? Should we just shrug them off and choose to share them with the faces of those we love? Is that love? Well, to care for them is love. That does put us at some risk, but in the name of Jesus, that’s a necessary evil and Christ expects it. He will care for us and help us to maintain our own health in such a case. But, if we needlessly put ourselves into the risk of becoming sick and with careless regard perform acts that are highly likely to share a sickness, then maybe we should think twice before doing so. That is not love. Taking what no one in their right mind (not even your loved one) should ever want, is not love.
Before you choose, just remember that, “…your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19,20). Can you or anyone else afford to get sick nearly on purpose and to lose time and service to God for even a day because you have become needlessly sick? God holds first claim upon all of us, and He expects faithful service of love from us. Let us not cheat God out of the daily service and energy that belongs to Him, but was lent to us. We can’t ignore the claim of God, even for a dear face. Take care of your health. Avoid becoming sick if at all possible. It will make a great difference in your ability to do faithful service for God! Be well, healthy, and strong to honor and serve God for as many days of the year as are possible! Every day belongs to Him! Us too!
[originally posted on our old CCM blog, April 14, 2012]
