When the World Cries, "Pandemic!"


 When the world cries, "Pandemic!" 
How ought we to, as believers, respond?

I posted back in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as this has continued to drag on, I have thought more and more about what I said.
 (Here is the link for reference: A Challenge to the Church - March 2020)

What I originally wrote was in response to the ridicule that I was seeing from those who did not take the virus seriously, it felt to me that there was much unkindness coming from that side towards those who chose to wear masks. As the months have slipped by, I have continued to see heated comments and debates from mask-wearers, and mask-abstainers. (As well as social distancing, whether or not businesses should be open, groups allowed to gather, etc.,)

Beloved brothers and sisters, this is not what we have been called to.

Whether someone wears a mask or not doesn't change the fact that they are created in the image of God, and worthy of the dignity and respect that glorifies their Creator.

Genesis 1:27 
"So God created man in His own image, 
in the image of God He created him; 
male and female He created them."

                                                   Mark 12:31                                              
"The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' 
There is no other commandment greater than these."

Proverbs 14:31
"Whoever oppresses a poor man insults his Maker, 
but he who is generous to the needy honors Him."

My thoughts on the topic have changed some from March though,  I beg your patience, dear reader, as I explore my thought process in this format. 

I would like to quote my previous claims: 

"By choosing to respect the authorities, and remain in our homes for the sake of not spreading this virus, are we not demonstrating that we value the lives of others over our own comforts and conveniences?

May I challenge us to recall our stances on abortion? We argue that one should never be allowed to take another's life, especially not just for the idol of comfort.

Is that not what we are threatening to do though when we refuse to take the prescribed precautions because it is not according to our personal preferences? 

We have become so comfortable here in America, most of us have no idea what persecution really is. Are we so quickly to be shaken when difficulties come our way? "

With the time that we have had to see the impacts of the virus, 
the social, 
emotional, 
political, 
economical, 
and spiritual implications are piling up in such a way as to raise the question for many, are we taking the virus so seriously at the cost of sacrificing our mental health, financial stability, spiritual convictions, and societal norms, as well as adding yet another layer of material to be utilized for politically divisive purposes. 

Wisdom would urge us to not hasten to any particular opinion without examining information available, considering the source, and seeking the word of God.

Each person is responsible to God for their actions.

As the mandates have subsided from what they were in the beginning, and many churches have been able to meet again, there are still places where that is not the case. 

Many, I am sure, have heard of John MacArthur's church decision to begin meeting against the state mandate.

Is this right?

That is a question that should not be left to us to decide! 

In determining truth, we echo the question of Pontius Pilate, "What is truth?" and we, brothers and sisters, know the answer to that question. His word is truth! 

I appreciated the thoroughness of the statement that he and his fellow pastor elders made. 
The following quotes are from the statement, and you can read the entire article by following this link: https://www.gracechurch.org/news/posts/1988
"Notice that we are not making a constitutional argument, even though the First Amendment of the United States Constitution expressly affirms this principle in its opening words: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.” The right we are appealing to was not created by the Constitution. It is one of those unalienable rights granted solely by God, who ordained human government and establishes both the extent and the limitations of the state's authority (Romans 13:1–7). Our argument therefore is purposely not grounded in the First Amendment; it is based on the same biblical principles that the Amendment itself is founded upon. The exercise of true religion is a divine duty given to men and women created in God’s image (Genesis 1:26–27Acts 4:18–205:29; cf. Matthew 22:16–22). In other words, freedom of worship is a command of God, not a privilege granted by the state.

An additional point needs to be made in this context. Christ is always faithful and true (Revelation 19:11). Human governments are not so trustworthy. Scripture says, “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19). That refers, of course, to Satan. John 12:31 and 16:11 call him “the ruler of this world,” meaning he wields power and influence through this world’s political systems (cf. Luke 4:6Ephesians 2:26:12). Jesus said of him, “he is a liar and the father of lies” (John 8:44). History is full of painful reminders that government power is easily and frequently abused for evil purposes. Politicians may manipulate statistics and the media can cover up or camouflage inconvenient truths. So a discerning church cannot passively or automatically comply if the government orders a shutdown of congregational meetings—even if the reason given is a concern for public health and safety.

The church by definition is an assembly. That is the literal meaning of the Greek word for “church”—ekklesia—the assembly of the called-out ones. A non-assembling assembly is a contradiction in terms. Christians are therefore commanded not to forsake the practice of meeting together (Hebrews 10:25)—and no earthly state has a right to restrict, delimit, or forbid the assembling of believers. We have always supported the underground church in nations where Christian congregational worship is deemed illegal by the state.

When officials restrict church attendance to a certain number, they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible for the saints to gather as the church. When officials prohibit singing in worship services, they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible for the people of God to obey the commands of Ephesians 5:19 and Colossians 3:16. When officials mandate distancing, they attempt to impose a restriction that in principle makes it impossible to experience the close communion between believers that is commanded in Romans 16:16, 1 Corinthians 16:20, 2 Corinthians 13:12, and 1 Thessalonians 5:26. In all those spheres, we must submit to our Lord. "


     To keep from quoting the entire article, I would highly encourage you to check out the addendum of the same link. I agree heartily with the statements in this article, and the addendum echoes my heart as I reconsider my thoughts from my post back in March.

Regardless, dear ones, of where you stand in the whole debate - As citizens of a better country, we need to face the cries of, "Pandemic!" with eyes that are fixed on our heavenly abode, and we must seek every opportunity to share the gospel and the peace of Christ in the midst of a troubled and tumultuous world.

Joshua 1:9
"'Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.'"

   It can be easy, for me, to excuse myself from making a priority of being intentional in seeking out conversations with others, the excuses of:
 "Nothing is open."
 "People are still in quarantine." 
Etc., are so very easy to slip into.

We are here for a purpose, that is to be ambassadors for Christ as we sojourn through this life.

We are not excused from that calling due to illnesses, persecution, financial situation, etc,. 

While the way in which we glorify Him may change, dependent upon our personal life circumstances, and according to the gifts that we have been given - Whatever situation we find ourselves in, we are called to seek His kingdom first! (Matthew 6:33)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
"Rejoice always, 
be constant in pray, 
give thanks in all circumstances; 
for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus."

2 Corinthians 5:17-20
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He is a new creation. 
The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 
All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself 
and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 
that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, 
not counting their trespasses against them, 
and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 
Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us. 
We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God."

How ought we to respond when the world cries, "Pandemic!"?

Dear believer, we must respond by speaking the gospel, by being unashamed of the truths of Scripture, by not being characterized by fear, for we are to be strong and courageous! We must not be marked by anxiety and worry, for He knows the plans that He has for us. 

The mandates of Christ are far superior to any earthly authority, we must persevere in honoring Him and glorifying Him as the head of all things.

2 Corinthians 5:1
"For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, 
we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens."

2 Corinthians 5:9-10 
"So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please Him. 
For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, 
so that each one may receive what is due
 for what He has done in the body, whether good or evil."

Philippians 4:4-7
"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say again: 'Rejoice!'
Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, 
with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 
And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, 
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

So, dear ones, let us run this race with endurance, let us be unashamed, and let us hold fast to truths of Scripture. 
State mandates will vary, 
public opinion will change, 
mortality rates will rise and fall, 
political parties will come and go, 
the tense climate of society will ebb and flow, 
the Word of our God endures forever! 

Hope in God, my friends, praise His name in your manner of life, in the way that you treat others, (whatever your personal feelings on how they are handling the virus), and outdo one another in showing honor. 

By the empowering and holding of His Spirit, may we be found faithful upon His return. 

To God be the glory! 

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