Jesus once encountered a man who had been an invalid for 38 years.  After listening to the man’s story, he asked an odd question – “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)

At first I didn’t really understand this question.  Who wouldn’t want to be healed of their ailments?  Who wouldn’t want to be healthy?  But then it occurred to me, we often define ourselves by our problems and by what we can’t do.  Our troubles become who we are. 

If Jesus came to me and said, “do you want to get well?”  I’d have to be honest and say, “Sometimes I like my sin.  Sometimes it’s fun.”  Part of my identity is still grounded in sin.  And every time I think I get rid of it, I realize just how deep that identity goes. 

Part of me still doesn’t want to be healed.

Are you defined by your sins?  Or do you want to be healed?