In The Midst of a Pandemic
To submission or to rise up?
Straight away I will put forward that I am not the type of person that is just waiting to jump on the rebellion band wagon. Rather I am the type that sees the necessity of submission being a vital part of our Christian faith. This, faithfully have I demonstrated in my life and practice of my faith. Even further regarding submission, a law unto him self is a man who cannot find the practice of submission in his life and faith. The topic of submission is so vital to our faith that I can see a strong correlation to the text found in 1 John exhorting us to recognize that a person cannot validly or justifiably claim to love God while hating a brother or sister. The correlation that I see is that while dismissing the brethren such person claiming to listen to God .
“infringements upon our God given rights”
However, the main reasons for my writing this article is to give my perspective regarding the infringements upon our God given rights and how it seems to me to have impacted and furthermore will impact the health of the church. First, let me just say that our rights have simply been affirmed, not given, by our founding documents in the United States. Our great constitution is and stands as our current law of the land. That said, it is very important for us to recognize that in taking an office of government there is a requirement to take an oath to abide in accordance to the law of the land. This means every civil servant has a duty to uphold, protect, and govern in accordance to the law of the land, our great constitution.
The breaking of the law is not fitting for a civil servant
The passing of laws, mandates, or orders that infringe upon our constitutionally upheld rights are grounds for the removal of such persons from office. In fact, such actions could be deemed to be a treasonous act that according to our law have criminal punishment as a consequence. This I point out because it truly is not a rebellious act to go against such infringements, but rather following such orders is no difference than giving into a criminal that is actually acting contrary to the law of the land. As I could go further with this point I will put it to rest for now. Please let me know if you would like for me to expound upon this further in another article.
“Encouragement and building, is my hope for you”
The primary reason that I am writing this actually has to do with the health of the church and the impact that our current events have had upon her. Encouragement and building, is my hope for you. No matter if your thoughts are in agreement or disagreement with me, there is much that could be gained from thinking through these matters. Another thing that I would like to bring forth is that I am at peace with suffering affliction myself but do not like to see others being afflicted. Where there are many ways of going about talking of the current so called epidemic. My perspective and position regarding the current orders that we are under by our current Governor are by no means completely concreted. I am attempting to be discerning and observant of the things that are happening around me.
The premise of my position starts here at
2 Timothy 1:7 7 For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
It seems to me that it is not much of a mystery that many who profess Christ these days are not living out a faithful practice of the Christian faith. In fact, the bible talks of those that are friends with the world are at enmity with God, yet many will claim to be christian while partnering up with the worldly that may be coming up against a faithful one who is preaching the gospel in the open air. This I say just to give a little back drop for the perspective that I will begin to layout.
God has not given a spirit of fear
As stated in the above text, God has not given a spirit of fear. Where as, I do understand the concept of submission unto those ordained as overseers of our souls. Yet it is still our duty to hold one another accountable and to be discerning. Modern day, fear riddles our society. This makes it of great importance to exercise careful discernment of the narrative laid before us. By the Word of God, our perspective ought to be renewed and conformed. This means that we are to consider what our motives are for doing what we do and the impact upon others around us.
“the church that dealt with the social issues of reaching out to those that were outcast or sickly”
In other words, we need to make sure that our motive for what we are pressing upon others is not stemming from fear. It is very interesting that is was the church in history that was reaching out to those that were outcast or sickly. Yet, now currently we find the church treating even the healthy as if they are sickly. Many have expressed that they are not scared, but still seem to engage as if each other are sick. This I see is a communal problem.
Is communion deeper than taking cut bread and separate drink?
The church cannot truly commune with one another if they are scared of each other. So now, I will share my expectation of the genuine of the church. As I previously mentioned about the visible church. There is scripture that points out God’s purpose for factions being within the visible church. 1 Corinthians 11:19 19 For there must also be factions among you, that those who are approved may be recognized among you.
Recognize the genuine among us!
This serves the purpose of recognizing the genuine among us. Those that demonstrate not being of a spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind. That said my expectation of what we would see in such a scenario as we have today. Would be that as Christ said that the world would know that we are His disciples by how we love one another.
At this point I do realize, that one could claim that them following the orders to wear a mask is loving one another. It is very important for us to consider this further. While that could be the case. We must examine our own motives for why we are doing what we are doing. If your motive is stemming from fear, then it ought to get us to turn from such behaviors. Question your own motives, are you finding that you are being lead be ‘what if’?
“for consideration is why are you holding to the position that you hold?”
So, my question for consideration is why are you holding to the position that you hold? If the answer keeps coming back to what ifs, then I am pretty sure you can chalk it up to be fear is the motive for what you are doing. This brings me to the next part of 2 Tim. which is our spirit is of power. This power is a transformed life in Christ Jesus our Lord. With a spirit of power we are courageous in living out life. This life in accordance to the Word of God and not of man.
Who told us to treat one another as if we are sick?
This takes me back to my expectation of the genuine among us. With this power it has always been the church that had the compassion and courage to tend to the sickly. Also, the priest in the law of God were the one’s that where to examine the sick. Then make a declaration of it by stating either that the person was clean or unclean. That said, we the church have at least some instruction pertaining to the sick. This we would do well to seek out.
“Now pertaining to love”
The next call upon us from the 2 Tim. verse is now pertaining to love. As I have already mention, acting out of love demands for us to seek out what love truly looks like. I fully agree with putting others before myself. Yet I would suggest that as some may attempt at this point. To use that as a justified reason for mask wearing. However, this may be without first considering that on top of examining our motives. We ought to realize that doing things toward others that is giving them a feeling of being justified. While in their fear is not loving them.
Love does not delight in evil.
Remember that Revelation 21:8 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” it says the cowardly are condemned to the second death. Also remember the Lord Jesus said that the gates of hell will not prevail against His church. This means that the church will not even fear death. My position, that love will not just leave nor will love enable people to remain motivated or lead by fear.
“God has given a sound mind.”
The last part of the text is regarding a spirit of a sound mind. It is at this point where we recognize that the text stated that God has given a sound mind. My point here is that the genuine ought to be able to soundly pull down strongholds and cast down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God 2 Corinthians 10:4-6. Our society is definitely bombarded with differing options and it can be tough to get to the truth of a matter. None the less, it is important that we are not allowing worldly philosophy to lead us through trying times. That said it is very important for us to be able to examine what the experts are saying.
The changing narrative that does not make sense.
Since God granted a sound mind to us. Lets not act as if we cannot examine the narrative that is laid before us. While examining the narrative, also look at the demand upon the people. For instance, when the pandemic first hit. They told us to quarantine in order to slow the spread else our hospitals would be over run. The hospitals would not be able to handle the load of sick and dying people, so we did it.
What is the new narrative?
Now the narrative has changed to simply we need to slow the spread. Even though many hospitals have had to furlough staff due to not enough work. It will not be to long and I have already seen some rhetoric of us stopping the spread. This is nonsensical. As the narrative has changed, the point to notice is that there seems to be no more mentioning of deaths. While they keep stirring the fear pot by an emphasis on spiked cases. We do not see deaths following as there initial statements.
“virus is not as deadly as they keep pressing upon the people.”
As I stated, it is nonsensical to claim we will stop the spread. Slowing the spread is not a benefit to us. For as it seems that this virus is not as deadly as they keep pressing upon the people. If the virus is not as deadly as they initially claimed. To get to an immunity, we will have to be exposed to the virus. While it is unfortunate to lose loved ones. Scripture says death has come to all men. Also, it is appointed a man once to die and after this the judgement. While they are trying to make much of the over 300 people dying in a day. This is a relatively small number considering that more than 150,000 people die every day. Then, another 125,000 babies are murder each day.
Be the salt that creates thirst for living water.
Ultimately, my point is that God’s people shall, as much as it is within there ability to, meet together. They shall commune with one another even in the face of death. This fits my expectation of the type of witness that the genuine of the church ought to be displaying. This ought to be our witness before a scared and dying world of people. Let the world see God’s favor upon His people. That we can once again be the salt of the earth. That causes a thirst for the living water found in Christ Jesus in those called.
In summary
Christians are to be a submissive people, yet we are to be so without our motives stemming from fear. We are to be a courageous people walking in the power of God. Which is displayed by our lives being fitted unto the Word of God. We are to love one another through communion, building, sharpening, and looking out for one another. All this by cultivating healthy biblical perspectives in one another.