Is sickness due to sin? – Question from a reader

Q1) Jesus said to the man at the healing pool ,after Jesus healed him, ‘John 5-14’ ‘do not sin anymore so that nothing worse happens to you’. Does this mean he was punished and crippled because of him sinning?

 

A1) Not exactly. This is saying that there are fates much worse than a life as a cripple. ​This man has not only been healed of his physical affliction, but more importantly, he has been forgiven of his sin. He could break his spine later that day, and not suffer a fate worse then if he was to turn from God back to a life of sin.

 

Q2) Is affliction caused by sinning?

 

A2) ​In the beginning, the earth was made perfect. Without sin, pain, death, or suffering. The paradise of Eden looked much like the earth will again look after the second coming of Christ. But when sin entered the world, it resulted in corruption and death. Now our bodies are frail, and come with a nature that goes against the will of God. This man’s affliction is not due to his own sinning, but because of the original sin of Adam.