LEPROSY

In the Bible, 'leprosy' is used as an object lesson of the debilitating influence of sin in a person’s life. Iniquity has separated us from a Holy God much like lepers were considered unclean and ostracized. The physical disease and a defiled soul are both characterized by a hopeless state of despair and shame. 

Scripture records the story of a leper who was the first to be healed by Christ ... A man with leprosy came and knelt before Him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” He said. “Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. (Matthew 8:2-3) 

The idea that the Son of God would actually 'touch' a man considered to be unclean paints a perfect picture of the Lord's willingness to come to this lost and dying world and set us free from the ravages of sin. 

F B Meyer - The leper lay in the dust before Jesus. What a contrast! ... dreaded disease before divine health; a sinner before the Savior; one of Satan’s most miserable victims before the Almighty Deliverer. 

Understand that God loathes sin; He is repulsed by it. Mankind can only come into His presence through faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ, who affirmed ... I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me. (John 14:6)

Much like that poor leper, we were once fated to a life without hope, ultimately leading to a horrible eternal death ... BUT God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) 

We should continually praise Him for His mercy ... He hath made us accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:5-7)

When a man truly captures a glimpse of the holiness and purity of God, he can only exclaim ... Woe is me, I am ruined! 

To the rescue comes the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Like that leper, we can now confidently approach the Savior with our sin and defilement ... knowing that He bore it all on Calvary's cross. When you come to Him for cleansing, Jesus will never turn you away. 

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

The more you compare 'sin' to 'leprosy', the more you'll understand your need for 'grace' apart from 'works'.