Because this novel coronavirus is a new thing (hence the term “novel”), not a lot is known about it. This has led to scientists rushing to learn more about it and doctors scrambling to figure out a treatment for it. Experiments are taking place around the clock. Clinical trials have been fast-tracked. Scientific journals are publishing COVID-19 articles at an increased speed. And because time is indeed of the essence, the usual rigorous nature of research and medicine has taken a backseat to expediency. Unfortunately, this has led to instances of preliminary findings being taken as hardcore facts, and potentially helpful treatments being touted as miracle cures.
People are understandably desperate for the hope of a preventative treatment and cure. So, when they hear presumed experts and leaders discuss certain unproven therapies as though they were rock-solid options, many people rush to avail themselves of these drugs, treatments, etc. To make matters worse, some of them take these treatments without medical supervision. A man died and his wife was hospitalized because they wanted to protect themselves from COVID-19 by ingesting fish tank cleaner - which is a variant of a highly-touted pharmaceutical drug.
People have an innate desire to save/protect themselves – both physically and spiritually. We want to know what we can do to become enlightened, reach nirvana, have eternal life, etc. Even some of us who have heard that we are saved by God’s grace still try to do things to earn His favor. But, all of these things that we try to do on our own to be saved aren’t simply unproven methods, they can be as deadly as ingesting fish tank cleaner. Paul tells us clearly in Ephesians 2:8-9, “you have been saved by grace because you believed. You did not save yourselves; it was a gift from God. You are not saved by the things you have done, so there is nothing to boast about.” May we all rely on the only proven method for salvation: the grace of Jesus Christ!