What has the pandemic done?

What has the pandemic done?

This pandemic has caused a cultural moment for forcing everyone to break through the denial of mortality. It has pulled back the rug and openly displayed how ill-equipped the world is at dealing with this type of an event. It has proven that the ground is level at the foot of the cross. 

Christians have even asked themselves, "should I feel wrong about fearing this pandemic?" Well, yes. However, we all have had fear of the pandemic if we are honest. After all, Christians are not perfect (1 John 1:8).  Let me say it another way. Martin Luther said (paraphrasing), you never break commandments two through ten without first breaking commandment one. You would never lie unless you are making a god out of the thing about which you are lying. If you make a million dollars by lying, then the love of money is your god. The real reason we break the first commandment is that the love of God is not as real to our hearts as the love of [insert your besetting sin here] (Hebrews 12:1 KJV). Yet, God continues to work with broken people, the same people who need grace every day, hour, minute, and second of the day. All of us.

Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12 NKJV)

So, what about the future?

If Jesus Christ was raised from the dead (1 Corinthians 15:3-4; 2 Corinthians 5:15 ), if He got up, was seen by hundreds of people (1 Corinthians 15:5-7), and talked with those people, then everything is going to be alright. As Christians, we know these events happened. Everything you are worrying about, what you are afraid of, is going to be okay.

Let’s remember that we are not just talking about a resurrected people; we are talking about a resurrected world (Luke 21:33; Romans 8:22; Mark 13:31; Revelation 21:5).

All other religions talk about an afterlife in a non-material world where you get some type of consolation prize for a world lost. Christianity not only says our bodies are being resurrected, but the world is going to be a material world that is cleansed of all suffering and sin (Isaiah 65:17-19; Psalm 102:25-27; 2 Peter 3:12-13).

We don’t know how it will all be ‘okay’, but it will be (Philippians 4:6-7). The fact remains while still on this Earth, we still cry. Sometimes the reality of the shortness of this life now just overwhelms us and we cry. That is ok. Then, by faith, you remind yourself that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead, and because of that, everything is going to be okay. You can then wipe your tears. You don’t stop crying now, but you are under the shelter of his wings (Psalm 36:7; 91:4). It is like salt in a cut. It hurts, but it keeps the cut from going bad. But it doesn’t mean we don’t suffer different injuries in this life. Until we see Jesus (1 John 3:2), we have our cuts and brushes. However, His nail-scarred hands have ultimately taken ours away; His cuts have effectively healed ours.

Please read Tim Keller's article  from where this was adapted.  He also has a book "Hope in Times of Fear: The Resurrection and the Meaning of Easter".  The article struck me as poignant considering the nation's situation in the covid-19 pandemic. I wanted to journal this on here in my words, mainly for me to remember.

Grace is Greater

God’s grace is compelling when explained but irresistible when experienced.

• Grace is powerful and enough to erase your guilt.
• Grace is big enough to heal your shame.
• Grace is real enough to heal your relationships.
• Grace is strong enough to hold you up when you’re weak.
• Grace is sweet enough to cure your bitterness.
• Grace is satisfying enough to deal with your disappointment.
• Grace is beautiful enough to redeem your brokenness.

Grace explained is necessary but grace experienced is essential.

Hebrews 12:15

Such a Time as This

Here we are in this point in history and we need to be reminded as Christians that we have been called for such a time as this.

In ancient Persia, Haman was busy doing the devil's work. Enter Esther (who Xerxes selected as queen) to counter and with the encouragement of Mordecai who told her she was called "for such a time as this" (Esther 4:14). God set the chess board and He moved His queen to checkmate the enemy. Brothers and Sisters, “He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others” (Daniel 2:21). God will use us in "such as time as this."

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Discernment at the Table: Seeking God’s Wisdom Over Worldly Deception

Wisdom’s Invitation in a Culture of Deception

Today’s culture faces many challenges, but one of the greatest is the constant deception that draws people away from God's truth. This deception is not a man-made conspiracy but a spiritual one. As Hebrews 3:12-13 (NKJV) warns, we must guard our hearts against becoming hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. Scripture calls us to be alert and watchful (1 Peter 5:8 NKJV), because only by walking in the wisdom of God can we navigate these times faithfully.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV).

In Proverbs 9, we see wisdom and folly personified, each inviting us to sit at their tables. Both hosts call out to the simple, to those in need of guidance. One invitation leads to life, the other to destruction. Our task, then, is to recognize which invitation we are responding to and choose carefully whose table we join.

The concluding section of Proverbs 9 mirrors its opening, highlighting the contrast between these two tables. Wisdom sets a feast, offering understanding and life. Meanwhile, folly, in her loud and enticing way, calls to whoever will listen, drawing people to a table of emptiness and ruin. When we accept folly’s invitation, we join in darkness without even realizing it. We must be careful when we sit at tables in our lives—if we lack wisdom in the "topic on the table," we should first seek the wisdom of God's Word.

"But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7 NKJV).

What About Sitting at the Table of Social Media?

One table that many are drawn to today is that of social media. While it promises connection, it often thrives on division and disconnection, encouraging people to respond to negativity instead of fostering genuine relationships. This is not true connection.

Because Satan’s weapon is deceit, we must outfit ourselves against it. As Hebrews reminds us, it’s easy to become hardened by sin if we are not careful. To counter this, we should encourage one another, worship together, and be prepared to lovingly warn each other against deception’s pull. Most importantly, we must show the benefits of faithfully following Christ, keeping our eyes on Him and reaching out to those nearest to us.

"Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good" (Romans 12:21 NKJV).

"Rocks" by The Isaacs
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Consider putting down your preferred form of social media, at least temporarily. Go talk to someone nearby and see if they need anything—maybe a gallon of milk, a carton of eggs, or something warm to wear. God meets us where we are, providing for our needs so we can, in turn, provide for others. Working within our areas of influence—family, friends, community—is how we build connections that reflect Christ’s love.

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8 NKJV).

The Qualities of a Godly Life

In 2 Peter 1:3-8, we’re reminded that God has given us everything we need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him. This passage encourages us to build our faith daily by adding virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection, and love. If we pursue these qualities and increase in them, we avoid becoming ineffective or unfruitful in our knowledge of Christ.

However, if we lack these qualities, the Bible says we are blind, forgetting that we have been cleansed from our former sins (2 Peter 1:9 NKJV). This message is particularly relevant to Christians; we are called to live purposefully, loving our neighbors as ourselves.

"And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these" (Mark 12:30-31 NKJV).

Winning Souls with Integrity

Paul models a Christ-centered approach to reaching others. In 1 Corinthians 9:22 (NKJV), he says, "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some." This isn’t a free pass to compromise our beliefs (Romans 6:2; 6:15 NKJV), but rather a call to meet people where they are to win them to Christ. Our words and actions should be consistent, reflecting our faith honestly.

"Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall" (1 Corinthians 10:12 NKJV).

Paul understood the importance of maintaining consistency in his communication. In 2 Corinthians 10:11 (NKJV), he emphasized that his letters, written when he was absent, held the same message and intent as his actions when he was present. For us, especially in today’s world of instant comments and social media posts, this example reminds us to ensure our online interactions align with our in-person integrity.

"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9 NKJV).

Conclusion: Choosing the Table of Wisdom

Our lives are filled with choices between wisdom and folly. Proverbs teaches us that wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord. Let’s make it our daily goal to sit at wisdom’s table, seeking God’s guidance and letting our actions, both online and offline, reflect His truth. Only by pursuing wisdom and avoiding deception can we be effective witnesses in this world. May we have the courage and discernment to choose wisely, drawing others toward the light of Christ.

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Proverbs 9:10 NKJV).

Post rewritten on 11/09/2024 

The just man, firm of purpose

After World War Two, General Sir Brian Robertson who was the Deputy Military Governor of the British Zone of Occupation wrote the following in January 1946, quoting Horace (Odes, III.3):

‘Justum et tenacem propositi virum’ (The just man, firm of purpose)

"If you want to know what I think should be our attitude in Germany then I recommend to you to read those lines yourselves.”

Here is what Sir Robertson wanted them to read - translated Latin quotation from Horace:

“The just man, firm of purpose cannot be shaken in his rock-like soul, by the heat of fellow citizens clamoring for what is wrong, nor by the presence of a threatening tyrant.”

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America must make a choice in what we are going to achieve. The just person who is firm on purpose will know because they have asked for wisdom (James 1:5). Our fellow citizens are clamoring for what is wrong and trying to shake anyone who has built on the Rock (Matthew 7:24) along with our media, all media, being critics that is offering nothing but manufactured panic (Proverbs 15:4). The tyrant IS BOTH sides of our party system! (Deuteronomy 16:18-20; Proverbs 19:21).  I made a post back in 2008 about the party system and my thoughts are the same today. As George Washington stated in his farewell address, "[the party system] agitates the community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms."

So, who is "right". It will forever and always be one answer. God. (Acts 5:29)

If you have read this far and want to know more about Jesus and The Kingdom of God, go and read https://www.gospelproject.com/jesus-kingdom-god/

Yes, as Christians our citizenship is in two nations - earthly and Heavenly (Eph 2:6-7; John 18:36).  I would never nullify my earthly over the heavenly.  The apostle Paul claimed his Roman citizenship (Acts 16:37-39; 22:22-29).  However, all the while maintaining his heavenly citizenship (Phil. 3:20).  Paul also gave the words, "We must obey God rather than men." (Acts 5:29)  Again, as Americans we must make of choice of purpose.