With the coronavirus pandemic disrupting the entire world, I hear more reports of divisiveness, violence, racism, lies, corruption, fear, panic, ignorance, despair, and hatred every day. As followers of Jesus, we need to stand firm in the midst of this crisis and conduct ourselves – in our hearts, thoughts, words, and actions – in alignment with the Word of God. I’d like to highlight five truths that we, as Christians, need to live into and live out each day.
1. GOD IS OUR KING. Remember, God is not a Democrat or a Republican or a member of any other political party. God is KING. We must pledge our allegiance – first, last, and always – to King Jesus and follow Him unswervingly.
“For the Lord Most High is to be feared, a great King over all the earth.” (Psalm 47:2)
“On His [Jesus’] robe and on His thigh He has a name written, ‘King of Kings, and Lord of Lords.’” (Revelations 19:16)
2. LOVE IS OUR DIFFERENTIATOR. The pressure from the pandemic is causing many people to act and react in harsh, selfish, and even violent ways. We are called to a higher standard – the standard of love, lived out by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:43-45)
3. GRACE IS OUR LANGUAGE. A lot of hurtful things are being said today – in the government, in the media, in communities, between friends, and among families. We need to speak with grace every time we open our lips.
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)
4. DISCERNMENT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY. We are being bombarded with a lot today. There are lies and there is truth. There is ignorance and there is wisdom. There is confusion and there is clarity. There is holiness and there is sin. We are called on to discern truth from error, and good from evil.
“This I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ.” (Philippians 1:9-10)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.” (Romans 12:2)
5. EVANGELISM IS OUR CALLING. The coronavirus pandemic reminds us that we don’t have time to waste in sharing the gospel. Every day, people are dying: they are either entering eternity with Christ or without Him. Let’s do all we can to proclaim the Good News of Jesus – the one who is the Resurrection and the Life! (John 11:25)
“Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
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