“’Fool! This night your soul is required of you,”
Luke 12:20
People drop dead every day. Sometimes close to us; sometimes far away. The world is in a lockdown because of the coronavirus. Why? Because of fear of death. What’s interesting is that this disease has everyone much more shook up than any other form of death. Let’s face it, we really aren’t afraid of all the disease that comes from obesity. Why do I say that? Because people are getting fatter and fatter and fatter.
COVID-19 is different in that it suddenly appeared. We could see people getting sick and dying. The media won’t give up on it, making it the primary news topic 24/7. Of course, people are afraid. Everybody is talking about it.
I see a couple of things. First, I see a big difference between the reaction of BIBLICAL Christians and the rest of the world. Biblical Christians know that God has already determined the number of our days. The day each person dies has already been determined.
Psalm 139:16 Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.
Job 14:5 Since his days are determined, and the number of his months is with you, and you have appointed his limits that he cannot pass,
I cannot live longer than God has already determined. Nor can I live shorter. Now, don’t get me wrong, I can have INFLUENCE in the quality of my days. Proper diet and exercise will make my life more enjoyable, but it won’t make me live any longer than God has already determined. This is as true for the unbeliever as it is for the believer.
What is different between those two is fear. The biblical Christian has lost his/her fear of death. This is a supernatural gift. Sure, it’s based upon good theology, but it’s something we just “know.” We know we’ll be OK because Jesus has us. Furthermore, we know that our hardship may likely increase significantly just because we are Christian, but that’s OK because our home is heaven. What happens here on earth is of little importance because this time isn’t even a blip in the big picture. One day, soon, we will be with God, at home with him. All the garbage of this world will be left behind and forgotten.
The born-again Christian simply knows this, and it changes their entire outlook on life. The coronavirus is of no concern, in the big picture, because we will soon be home with Jesus. Now, does that mean we shouldn’t be concerned about spreading the virus? No, but we are not to be ruled by fear. That might look a lot different than some would have us behave.
The bottom line is this, it would be a good thing if God takes me home today. It’s his timing, not mine, so I will take care of what he has given me until that day he calls me.
The rest of the world SHOULD be afraid. They SHOULD be afraid of this virus because it is so unpredictable. It can strike and kill ANYONE. Death is a HUGE problem for the unbeliever, and they know it. Why? Because God has written eternity into our hearts. The unbeliever knows this life isn’t the end, and they know they will stand in judgement. And…they know what that judgement will be. People lie to themselves constantly that there either is no god or that it will allow them into heaven despite their deeds. Deep down, they know that’s simply not true.
The world simply is not prepared to die, and it terrifies them. That’s GOOD!
You see, I am convinced beyond doubt that God has sent this plague for one purpose and one purpose only: to get our attention. It is a call to repentance. Never before has anything happened like this when the entire world was stopped in its tracks. Never. Don’t tell me that God isn’t trying to get our attention! “Repent, for the kingdom of God is at hand!”
It’s also a call of repentance for the church. We are asleep at our post. God’s shaking the beds of a slumbering world; we should be rattling pots and pans in the kitchen as well. We need to proclaim the gospel to a sick and dying world that is doomed to the lake of fire apart from their repentance.
Look, God has commanded us to go and make disciples. When is the last time you shared the gospel with ANYBODY? Do you really think that is what God will have you do, to keep silent, while Jesus bled to death on a cross so that you might enter heaven? Come on, church! This is GOOD NEWS! Act like it!
The world is terrified by COVID-19. Give them the vaccine they really need.
Romans 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”
Get EXCITED!
Father, light a fire under us! Amen!
Copyright © 2020 Scott Powers