I don’t know how much news you read or watch these days. And whatever ‘side’ you find yourself on (mask or no mask, vaccine or no vaccine, Fox News or CNN), you are being bombarded with what’s wrong with the other side and why you should be afraid, either of the virus or the government. I’m going to guess that even our church is consistent with our county in that about half of our adult congregation has received the vaccine and half hasn’t. If you find yourself bristling at that comment and thinking you need to set the other half straight, please don’t. In these decisions, individually, we walk with God, we pray for wisdom, and we make the choices we make, trusting Him with the outcome of them. But as a church, we walk in unity, in love, and in the giving of much grace for those who see the matter differently than we do. How do we walk in unity, even where there are strong differences? We focus on the truth that we can all agree on. So, with that in mind, here is the news article I think we can all rally around and hopefully be encouraged by, whether or not you have received that jab in your arm or adamantly refuse it.
A Powerful Virus
and a Sovereign God
A virus has been sweeping the globe for the last year and a half. It has wreaked great destruction, tragically taking many lives and changing the way many people interact in their jobs and in their private lives. Recommendations for how to live with it have repeatedly changed as researchers and scientists have studied it, causing confusion and questions for many. Countries, states, cities, and school districts are all having to make decisions that they feel are best, trying to consider both the health and the freedoms or their constituents. It has not been easy, and it is far from over. Yet behind this powerful virus that has caused death and division, there is an infinitely more powerful King sitting on a throne who is calling His followers to walk even in these days in a way that brings glory to Him. Here are some truths we know about this King and what He expects of His followers:
-- He is the God and Creator of the entire universe. Every molecule, atom, bacteria, and virus is under His sovereign control. This means that He has the power to stop this virus immediately, yet He has decided not to do so. He has a reason for this, and His followers choose to trust Him even when they don’t understand. (Colossians 1:16; Isaiah 46:10; Job 41:11; Romans 11:33-34)
-- The virus is ultimately a result of man’s rebellion against God, whether it came through a bat or through a Chinese lab. When sin entered the world, death and disease came along with it. All of creation groans with the longing to be set free from this consequence and to be a perfect creation once more in the new heaven and the new earth. God’s followers lament the deaths around them. The virus stirs them to compassion for the hurting, and they pray for the needs of the sick and those ministering to them in homes and hospitals around the world. They also long for the day that God will make all things right again when He sets up His new and eternal kingdom. (Genesis 3; Romans 8:20-22; Romans 12:15; Ephesians 6:18; Revelation 22:20)
-- As the perfect and righteous King, God will use this virus to bring Himself glory. His imperfect followers, who can’t comprehend the mind of God, can only guess at how He might do this, but stories from His holy Word and from the past give glimpses into how this could be accomplished. Any time there is the possibility of death, people tend to ask the big existential questions of life: Why am I here? What will happen after I die? For many, this virus may be a catalyst for those questions which in turn could lead them to find salvation. For those who are already followers, there are multiple examples in the Bible of suffering producing sanctification, greater Christ-likeness. God’s followers know that however this virus may affect them, as they look to God, He will use it for good in their lives. (Isaiah 48:11; I Peter 4:11; Romans 8:28)
-- Even in the midst of strong differing opinions, Christ’s followers are known for their love toward all. They do not belittle the opinions of their brothers and sisters in Christ, and they hold their own opinions humbly. They respect and honor others, even when they disagree. God’s church has the incredible power through the Holy Spirit to walk through such a turbulent time in unity which is beautiful picture to a world in which hateful words are continuously spewed at one another. The believers’ social media posts do not look like those of the world; they are saturated in grace and love. And they do not fear the virus or the government, for their call is to fear God alone, understanding that both lie subject to Him. And this is the same God whom they love as a Father, knowing that His plans for them are good; therefore, they are filled with peace. (John 13:35; Romans 12:10; Philippians 2:3; Colossians 4:6; Luke 12:4-5; Matthew 7:11; Isaiah 26:3)
Be encouraged as you fact-check this “news article” by looking up the Bible verses yourselves! Ladies of Grace Baptist Church, let’s walk as followers of the King and not as followers of this world. Let’s devote ourselves to prayer that God would accomplish much during this time. Let’s live in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ, letting the world see our love. Let’s allow our light to shine, not by pointing to the latest article that proves our position, but by pointing to a sovereign and good God. And let’s walk in peace and joy, trusting Him with our lives.
--Amy O’Rear
Thank you this timely reminder.
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