My Condition is Terminal

On Monday I went to the doctor. I feared I was suffering a relapse of Bronchitis, which I had first contracted in the middle of March. I went to a new clinic, and I found the new clinic and doctor to be much more thorough and competent than the previous one I had gone to, and I felt an immediate sense of peace and satisfaction that I had made the right decision.

As the doctor completed her exam of me and asked a few final questions, she said that I did have Bronchitis, and may have a “touch” of pneumonia as well. She wanted me to have a couple of X-Rays first though, just to be certain. So down the hallway I went to have the X-Rays taken, then back to the exam room I went, waiting for her final diagnosis.

As I sat there in that room waiting on my doctor to return, I thought about what she said that my condition may be worse than I had thought it to be. Then suddenly the Lord spoke to me in that examination room and said, “Your spiritual condition was worse than you thought it was before you came to me also. Tell others about this.”

So I thought how this paralleled our spiritual condition as sinners. Before I accepted Christ as my Savior, I knew for years that I was a sinner in need of forgiveness, healing, redemption, and restoration. But I didn't want to go to the Physician! I knew what He (Jesus) would tell me if I did go, and I didn't want to hear it. So I went about my way for years, living my life like nothing was wrong, and all the time knowing I had a terminal condition. All the time knowing that if I did not go to the Physician, I would eventually die of my terminal condition (sin), and then it would be too late to seek Him out.

Eventually, I grew tired of avoiding the Physician, and went to him. I arrived on my knees, broken, needy, and unable to pay for the help I had to have. To my surprise though, He had already examined me (my heart) before I arrived at the cross. He had already made His diagnosis of my condition before I was aware of it, and He had pronounced me dead! He told me that it was a good thing I had come to Him, because if I had not, there was nothing He could do, even though He had wanted to heal me for a long time. You see, He had been calling me and leaving me messages for a long time, but I had been ignoring them. But since He cared for me, even before I knew Him, He remained persistent and continued to pursue me, knowing I would eventually answer. He healed my broken spirit that same day and made me whole. There was no charge at all to me. He told me He had already paid the price. He also told me I could call on Him anytime without an appointment or need to go through a receptionist. He had already taken care of the paperwork (the book of life), so I had no additional paperwork to fill out.

Now I have a great relationship with my Physician. He and I talk often about many things. I have found Him to be very knowledgeable about a great many things besides medicine. He's a great listener when I'm not doing so well, and even when things are going well for me. He listens without interrupting until I am finished. Then He sometimes asks me very hard questions. When I answer honestly, He is pleased. He is a great Counselor on many topics, and always seems to know just the right thing to tell me at any given moment. He reminds me often how much He loves me and how important I am to Him. He has helped me raise my son and to be the best husband, son, and brother I could be. He has encouraged me to always speak His truth, even when it was painful for others to hear; even when it made me unpopular.

Yea, I found a great Physician. But I also found a great Friend, Counselor, Comforter, Father, Advocate, Savior, Mediator, and Lover of my soul.

Now, about that terminal condition I had before I went to see Him. My Physician has told me that eventually my body will die from it, but at that moment I will actually come into His glorious presence in Heaven in spirit, and be with Him there forever. He has assured me of this, and I trust Him completely. He did not tell me when this will happen nor did He give me a time table. He said it was best not for me to know these things. He also said He will be there with me when the time comes, so I wouldn't be afraid when physical death comes to me. He said for me to go about my life for Him, telling others about Him and the love He has for them, and not concern myself about how long I have here on earth. That seemed like a pretty good deal to me.

So if you are looking for a person like the One I have described to you here, I can tell you just exactly where to find Him. His name is Jesus, and He told me to tell you He loves you. He knows everything you have ever thought, said, and done. He knows your terminal condition, and He wants to heal you also. He wants me to tell you that there is no sin that is too great for Him to forgive you of. He wants to be all the things to you He has been to me, and He wants to give you a hope and a future brighter than anything you can ever imagine. He is telling me now to give you these 4 scripture verses, and to take them personally.

Revelation 3:20

Here I am! I stand at the door (of your heart) and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him , and he with Me. (Read it again, and this time replace anyone , him , and he with your name).

John 3:16-18

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son”.

Matthew 10:32

“Whoever acknowledges Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven”.

Romans 10:9-11

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified (made blameless), and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Bob's Bio:

Bob Kemp is an ordained Deacon, helps to teach two Sunday school classes, and serves on two additional committees at his church. He has been heavily involved in ministry since he accepted Christ as his personal Savior in 1992. He has served as a Youth Pastor, and also pastured young men at a correctional facility for juvenile offenders, where he led many to Christ. Bob enjoys reading, writing, and sharing the gospel with others. He has written a Christian book for young readers and hopes to someday see it published and used as a tool to reach children with the love and good news of Jesus Christ. He also writes columns for Renew America , a conservative website that promotes Christian conservative political viewpoints. That website address is www.renewamerica.us . Bob can be found in the list of columnists there. He is married to a lady he calls his love gift from God, has a grown son, and two grown step-sons. He works at Praise Ministries in Lindale, Texas . Your comments are greatly appreciated. You can contact Bob Kemp directly with your feedback and/or comments at bob.kemp@att.net . You may also leave your comments and/or feedback at feedback@heartbeatthemagazine.com .