“Dear Tate Kids,

I need to apologize to you for something. It’s not my fault exactly, but I will apologize anyway because unfortunately I’m not entirely blameless in the matter either. Your Mom and I have passed on to you a fatal genetic condition which runs in our family. We went ahead with our plans to conceive you even though we knew there was a 100% chance that you would also be born with this fatal condition. I know how you must feel. I’m sorry for that. I felt the same way when my parents told me. This condition is inextricably woven into the very fabric of our DNA, and if you don’t seek help for it you will die. It has run in our family for untold generations and has been the cause of a lot of pain and misery down through the years. As your father, who loves you very much, I’m saddened to think of you having to struggle with the symptoms of this dread disease. I too have struggled. It is hard enough for me to experience personally, but it is, in some ways, harder still to watch you suffer.

This disease has numerous symptoms, principally self-destructive, sinful cravings (Eph. 2:1-3). These manifest in sinful conduct, pain, misery and, if untreated, it will eventually lead to death (Rom. 3:23 and 6:23). Don’t be surprised when these symptoms flare up, or when you witness others suffering the ravages of this horrible disease. Such symptoms are terribly common (1 Cor. 10:13) to all of us who have descended from patient zero, Adam (1 Cor. 15:21-22).

Thankfully, there is a cure. In Psalm 107:17-22 we read this:

17 Some were fools through their sinful ways,
and because of their iniquities suffered affliction;
18 they loathed any kind of food,
and they drew near to the gates of death.
19 Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
and he delivered them from their distress.
20 He sent out his word and healed them,
and delivered them from their destruction.
21 Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
for his wondrous works to the children of man!
22 And let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving,
and tell of his deeds in songs of joy!

Additionally in Romans 10:9 it says, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

Here’s what happened; Jesus voluntarily took our disease onto himself and suffered its consequences so that we could be freed from its dread grip. Our sin nature is the disease. The Gospel is the only cure. Your Mom and I have prayed for your healing and salvation since even before you were born.

Your Loving Father

P.S. I should warn you that the application of this cure to your inner being comes with some notable side effects such as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”