Sin and Sickness by R. F. Cottrell

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Dec 13, 1870

Sin and Sickness.

By R. F. Cottrell

THESE are companions. Sin brought death into the world, and all our woe. Not only does death come as the penalty of the violation of moral law, but sickness follows as the effect of the violation of physical law. Intemperance in eating or drinking, or in the indulgence of propensity, is sure to be followed, sooner or later, by physical suffering. The sinner against his physical nature will find that disease is the penalty. Hence, the pardon of sin and the healing of disease accompany each other.

When the sick came to Christ to be healed of their bodily infirmities, he heard their request and forgave their sins. Said he, “Thy sins be forgiven thee.” And the Scriptures elsewhere connect pardon with healing—“Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” Ps. 103:3. “And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” James 5:15. And those who gain a portion in the world to come will be delivered from both sin and sickness. “And the inhabitant shall not say, I am sick; the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity.” Isa. 33:24.

R. F. COTTRELL.