In addition to wars, violence, and terrorism, one of the worldwide concerns of today is Ebola, which keeps causing damage in the poorest nations of West AfricaAround 5,000 people have died and tens of thousands have been infected. The victims of this fearful epidemic come mostly from that area of the world.

Without a doubt, there is cause for concern; however the world’s medical community has been informing about the characteristics of this malignant virus. There is nothing worse than ignorance, since it gives place to unfounded fear.

How is Ebola spread and how does one get infected?

Doctors say it can only be passed on by direct contact. In other words, by touching the bodily fluids of a sick person such as vomit, diarrhea, blood, sweat—or by contact with an open cut or wound. Doctors also say that it has an incubation period of 21 days. Ebola is not airborne, nor does it stick onto surfaces like many other known pathogens. Doctors say that infected patients cannot infect other people until they themselves start showing symptoms such as fever, vomiting, and diarrhea.

In the 40 years that this disease has been known, according to physicians, Ebola has not been transmitted by casual contact.

In other words, if the person is not clinically ill, they cannot transmit the virus. Sigh. Good to know, and it is good that Ebola has not been detected here, you might say. Good. But, you know what?

I find three very interesting parallels between Ebola and our situation before God.

1. Humankind was infected with the Ebola of sin when we disobeyed God. As human beings we have chosen our own paths, that is, we do what we desire with our lives thinking that we own them. For that same reason, we live ignoring, voluntarily, that the human race has been infected with the Ebola of sin. Sin causes harm everyday among those that are distant and estranged to the Life of God. Since the beginning, in the Garden of Eden, we were infected with the mortal virus of sin because we were disobedient to the word of God. No one is exempt.

The Bible declares in Psalm 14: 3, “There is not one who does right, not even one.” The truth is, we live in a world full of evil and lies, and what is sad is that we see this as something normal. What is worse, many detractors mock when we talk about sin and being enslaved by it; however the virus and the disease exist.

2. The acquired infection manifests itself rather sooner than later. And when it manifests itself, it takes control of the life of the joyless sinner. People become vain in their own understanding and their hearts are hardened. They boast about being wise, but instead, sink deeper and deeper in their nonsense, giving themselves over to ungodliness and a lustful heart. The sinner with this condition exchanges the truth of God for lies, and may fall in abominable practices as Romans 1: 18-32 reveals to us. That is, they make a disgrace of their life and may take with them those who do know faith, and even worse, those that are not firm and clear in their walk with Christ. Ebola does not respect doctors, maybe many others will say, I have overcome that sinful state and I am sanctified; however, their personal attitudes toward others says the contrary. The feelings of spiritual superiority and alleged biblical intellect may make us fall. With good reason the Scripture says, “Do not be wise in your own opinion” (Rom. 12:16) and, “… he who wants to remain firm, beware not to fall” (1st Cor. 10:12).

Today, we bicker and argue with philosophy, scientific discoveries, and our own fanciful interpretation of the Word. And we end up blaming others for our faults. Beware. All our justifications are like filthy rags before God, according to Isaiah’s prayer (64: 5-7).

3. When the person discovers that the fever and other symptoms of the virus set on and seeks professional help, they have a better chance of beating the disease. In the same way, when we recognize our vulnerability and our dependence, not on ourselves, but on God, we have found the way to restoration. Jesus is calling on us to leave our voluntary ignorance, he is calling out for us to look for his forgiveness and join the community of faith so that we can take part in his kingdom here and now. To everyone that wants to obey the ruling of Jesus, He invites us to be part of that kingdom following the steps of the Master by spreading the gospel in word and deed, so that others may obtain salvation and participate in the work Jesus left for us until his return.

Have you put your Ebola under the control of Jesus? How are you sharing the health Christ has provided for us?