Today we find ourselves in uncharted waters of the COVID-19 virus. Very few times in history has a pandemic forced people to shelter in place and or plan for our future after the crisis is over. Many people who are not of the Christian faith are searching for hope, and some of the Christian persuasion are losing their faith, having become shipwrecked letting mass propaganda lead them into fear.
“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” (1 Timothy 1:18-19).
It is now more important than ever to be steadfast and keep the faith. Indeed, we don’t know what our situation is going to be from one day to the next, but in Christ, there is consistency and hope for the future.
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:3-4).
The beauty of being a Christian is that you are blessed in this life and the next. Therefore we should not be led by fear, but rather rejoice in the hope of our future. If we are blessed with this physical life, then we bless God in return by teaching and preaching the great Gospel message to the lost. In this life, we will exhort the brethren and sing praises to His holy name. He and only He is worthy to be worshiped. If we lose this physical life, then we are off to be with Christ which is far better. So, we should be cautious and practice good habits not to spread the virus, but we should not let the virus overtake our thoughts and faith. For it is Christ who leads us and commands our thoughts and faith.
“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.” (Philippians 1:21-23)
Our future during and after this COVID-19 outbreak has always and will always be in the promises of God. A promise of eternal life and immeasurable joy, as well as a future.
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
This type of mandated isolation is no doubt hard on all of us. As Christians, we long to gather in the name of Jesus Christ to glorify and worship the living God. We long to exhort and admonish each other. We long to encourage and be encouraged. We must remember that whether together or separated we are still members of the body of Christ which is the church (1 Corinthians 12:27). We are not bound by a building to be unified in the faith, but rather we are bound by Christ and the unity of our shared faith by His Gospel. We must stay in good spirits, for we are not lost in fear of this epidemic as some are but rather, calm, assured, and grateful to be in His family and His salvation.
Brethren let us do our best to help our nation by not spreading this virus and taking care of ourselves and our loved ones. However, at the end of the day, we have faith in the blood of Christ and the resurrection unto life eternal. Blessed are all the members of the Lord’s church.
Let us keep the faith and pray that these times will pass quickly, that we can be reunited with a great homecoming of the Saints in His name. May all Glory and Honor be given to the Ancient of Days through His son Jesus Christ our Savior.
“Then I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on.’” Yes,” says the Spirit, “that they may rest from their labors, and their works follow them.” (Revelation 14:13)
During these times and all times lets us remember the words of the Apostle Paul. “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13)
Justin Gonzalez