Tomorrow, 1 December 2020 is World AIDS Day. The Daily Maverick reports:
People around the world unite to show support for those living with and affected by HIV and to remember the millions who lost their lives to Aids.
In South Africa alone, more than four million people have died of Aids. This World Aids Day, the United Nations is calling on countries to step up their efforts to achieve healthier societies, with the theme Global solidarity, shared responsibility.
Allow me to say from the outset that we need to be sympathetic and compassionate towards people living with AIDS, as well as COVID-19, cancer, diabetes, tuberculosis and a host of other illnesses and diseases. For many of them, their illness is not their doing. Yet … let me add that when it comes to AIDS, often a husband or a wife could well transfer the virus to their spouse and the spouse contracts the virus innocently. Many children have been born with the virus as have some in the past contracted it due to blood transfusions.
When the United Nations calls on “countries to step up their efforts to achieve healthier societies, with the theme Global solidarity, shared responsibility”, we ought to agree with that call, yet they, the United Nations as an organization, even though calling for “healthier societies” and “global solidarity” and “shared responsibility”, do not want input from the Intentional Christian Church across the world. You see, Biblical Christianity understands that all people are sinners and as sinners without a Saviour, we are all prone to do and be involved in things the Bible speaks against, labelling it as sin, lust or rebellion. Come with me on a short journey please …
Self
The world outside of the Intentional Church permits people to do as they please without many boundaries. The concept of “Secularism” in a nutshell is (I found two illustrations) … 1) “the principle of separation of the state from religious institutions. ‘He believes that secularism means no discrimination against anybody in the name of religion’”; and 2) “secular spirit or tendency, especially a system of political or social philosophy that rejects all forms of religious faith and worship. The view that public education and other matters of civil policy should be conducted without the introduction of a religious element.” As a high school teacher (grades 8-12) teaching “Guidance” and “Bible Ed”, I noticed the Education Department slowly introduce secularism into the curriculum. Secularism supports and sustains “self” in the sense that “self” desires to do whatever it pleases. Therefore “self’ determines “morality and ethics” because secularism excludes being informed or guided by “religion” … and especially Biblical Christianity.
Sinners
Whether the secular world likes it or not, the Almighty God, the God of the Bible (The One, True, Living God, Who created all things and sustains all things) informs us that
Ro 3:23 all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Meaning that all without exception, being born of woman, are born with a sinful nature. This is what the “Reformers” called “Total Depravity”, the concept that we as sinners are not as bad as we can be, but all our faculties have been affected and influenced by the sinful nature transferred to us from our first ‘father’ Adam. In other words, there is a natural bent within towards sin, evil, wickedness and rebellion. So, coming back to AIDS. As said above, many are infected innocently, but because of the sinful nature, the race is bent on sex outside of marriage and sex with other partners even though married. God frowns upon this activity because He reserves sex for a monogamous, faithful marriage as physical intimacy depicts the spiritual intimacy between Jesus Christ (Bridegroom) and the Church (Bride).
Just by the way, sexually transmitted disease is not restricted to AIDS. There are more than 50 STDs (according to Pam Stenzil). When AIDS first appeared on the landscape, it was known as GRID (Gay Related Immune Deficiency Syndrome).
Because of the uproar from lobby groups it was changed to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and then coupled to AIDS and called HIV-AIDS (the later meaning ‘Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome). Some people have referred to a verse in Romans 1 as HIV-AIDS.
Ro 1:27 Men committed indecent acts with other men, and received in themselves the due penalty for their perversion.
(Read Romans 1:18-32 for context.) I would say the “penalty” includes many results because of sexual immorality.
Savior
When you think of Total Depravity and the inability to do anything to get out of the awful pit that leads to everlasting destruction, you realize you need a Saviour. Well, God thought of that long before any man could.
Ge 3:15 And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.
This reference is to Jesus. Now look at Romans:
Ro 3:24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. 25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
Jesus’ Blood Sacrifice cleanses from all sin and guilt.
Separate
Once saved by grace through faith, there is a realization that one needs to live a holy live, separated from the world’s concept of “freedom” and “secularism”. Freedom in Christ means to live God’s way and enjoy all the precious benefits He gives in this life and the life to come.
Dear God, today I pray for all suffering with AIDS, asking that You draw close to them, causing them to turn to Jesus Christ for grace and mercy. Help me to be strong in Christ and avoid all shapes of sexual immorality. Grant me a real passion to live for your glory upholding the Scriptures are my guide and instruction for living life. Amen.