The Christian Response

As the Coronavirus starts a downward trend in China and an upward trend in other countries around the world, we still don’t know the long-term effect this virus will have on the health and economic structure of each country, or even planet Earth as a whole. Yes, it is true that there are not very many coronavirus cases compared to cases of other viruses that have spread. (50 Million died of the Black Plague) Yet its unique ability to last for a long time, and not show symptoms for as long as two weeks, has created such a stir and panic among the population.

 

4 Key Takeaways from the Coronavirus

1. Love your neighbor. 

One of the most loving things you can do is respect and obey the powers that are over you. The CDC is asking that there not be large gatherings of people; that you be extra careful in personal hygiene; and that you do everything personally possible to prevent the spread of the disease. This means that we all have to make sacrifices, for the good of others. That isn’t easy or convenient.

I get it. I was scheduled to take my family to the Harlem Globetrotters and it got canceled. My daughter is the president of her senior class at Pensacola Christian Academy and every year they take a trip to Washington, DC where the class president gets to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier—an incredible honor. Her entire senior trip has been canceled. As I spoke with her about it, I was blown away at her maturity. She said that her entire senior class is responding with the same grace.

2. Fervently Pray! 

I’m so thankful President Trump has declared a National Day of Prayer for Sunday, March 15th. I pray that God will use this crisis for His own glory. I pray that through it, He will remind people that we live in a sin-cursed world. When God finished creating the heavens and the earth, He declared that everything He had made was “very good.” There was no sin, no sickness, and no death. All of the bad things we see in the world around us are direct results of the Fall, which means that Coronavirus is just one of the many consequences of Adam’s sin. In confusion you may wonder, “Why does a good God allow the Coronavirus to affect good people?” But as Jesus once replied to the Rich Young Ruler, “No one is good but One, that is, God.” (Mark 10:18) 

Someday, God is going to make a new heaven and a new earth, wherein righteousness dwells. (2 Peter 3:13) For those who have trusted in Christ, the promise is precious, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 4:21)

3. Carefully Consider…

Take a look at how serious governments are taking the Coronavirus. Huge sweeping measures are being placed in effect. Cities and entire countries are in an all-out war to eliminate this virus. They are cleaning, sanitizing, quarantining, and doing everything necessary to get rid of the virus.

What if we were to band together as Christians, and do everything we can to rid our lives of the sins that so easily beset us? What if we were to come together as the body of Christ and cast out unclean things, sanitize our lives, and ask God to create in all of us a clean heart? What could God do with a people that are as serious about holiness, as governments are about the Coronavirus?

4. Infect Others with Christ…

The speed at which the Coronavirus spreads is remarkable. If someone who is infected touches something, the contamination can stay on that object for up to nine days. Can you imagine the Holy Spirit moving through the people of God to influence those who are not believers as fast as the Coronavirus is spreading around our world? Can you imagine somebody so filled with the Holy Spirit that their presence can influence a person days after an encounter with them? Oh, that God would sweep through our nation and our people to bring about the purifying work of the Holy Spirit. Oh, that God would call people to repent and see their sin is worse than the Coronavirus before a Holy God. What could God do with a people that are so dedicated to him that the Holiness of God becomes infectious on other people?

While we live out the next weeks and months, experience the disappointments, struggle through the adversity, and seek the face of God, I can only pray that God will use this to raise up the church to do an amazing work around the world.

Thanks for reading, and thank you for praying!

Erics-signature

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14