Today,
reply is on the response by Christian congregations to
recommendations from health care providers and government officials
that social distancing and the suspension of public gatherings be
practiced during the current global health crisis focused on the
coronavirus. There can be no surrender to depression,
despair, or other emotional and psychological extremes. All are
encouraged to go forward relying on the same determination and values
that ensure our survival as families, households, neighborhoods, and
nations. The need is for accountability, commitment, cooperation,
endurance, maturity, respect, and vigilance, rather than complaining,
divisiveness, fault-finding, laying blame, negativity, quarreling,
and seeking to gain advantage over others. It is written: Romans
13: 9-14, King James Version (KJV): 9 For this, Thou shalt not
commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou
shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there
be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this
saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love
worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of
the law. 11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high
time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer
than when we believed. 12 The night is far spent, the day is at
hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us
put on the armour of light. 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day;
not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not
in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and
make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
One of the fighters in the “Yahoo! Answers” public forum on
Religion & Spirituality who used the ID “Anonymous” (no
profile data appeared) posted the following:
Why
are churches closing down at this time of despair in the world?
THE
GOLDEN ARROW: I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the
world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. They are not
of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through
thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17: 15-17, KJV)
THE
DOUBLE DAGGER: Why Do They Sing? (11/14/2019); Justified By Church
Attendance? (06/21/2019); A Possible “Home Remedy?” (11/08/2018);
Duties of a Christian? (03/13/2018); Not All Are Welcome
(11/28/2017); Will GOD Bless My Team? (12/31/2012); Put Every Man His
Sword By His Side (01/01/2013)
“Anonymous”,
this is a time of challenge, yet, not a time of despair. The
leadership that now must be shown by Christian believers in the
church is to be seen in its cooperation with the policies and
recommendations from health professionals and government officials
who are acting on behalf of the commonwealth and well-being of vast
communities having many diverse groups. The coronavirus, and
the contagious disease it is promoting within our communities, are
threats to the flesh of mankind and our continuing social order,
rather than a threat against the spirit substance that divinity has
deposited within mankind on the earth. The virus is only one more
challenge to the duration (longevity) and quality of life that can be
dealt with as major public health problems that operate in accordance
with mechanical process and natural laws, and are not subject
directly to the will of GOD. In the same way mortality is now a
human condition (angels are neither mortal nor immortal, and only GOD
is immortal), the consciousness that all (parents, children,
employers, co-workers, etc.) may die at some point requires that
humanity embrace specific values and standards to meet the challenges
that come by living on the earth. Included are adopting attitudes
and behaviors that express accountability, balance, commitment,
integrity as human beings, maturity, and respect. Also, there should
be willingness to change through discovery, gradual growth, learning,
practice, unselfish service, and suffering. Correctly understood,
many aspects of existence and life that the living are to embrace
should be acknowledged as necessary duty and responsibility that must
be discharged to become complete and full persons. Consider again
the following that uses language from the Bible, and a selection from
the music ministry of John Michael Talbot
(1.)
2nd Timothy 1: 7, King James Version (KJV): 7 For God
hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and
of a sound mind.
(2.)
Romans 8: 22-23, KJV: 22 For we know that the whole creation
groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only
they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the
Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the
adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
(3.)
2nd Corinthians 4: 5-12, KJV: 5 For we preach not
ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for
Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who
commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our
hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But we have this treasure in earthen
vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of
us. 8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we
are perplexed, but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not
forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in
the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus
might be made manifest in our body. 11 For we which live are always
delivered unto death for Jesus’
sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our
mortal flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
(4.)
Romans 8: 5-9, KJV: 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind
the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the
things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death;
but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the
carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to
the law of God, neither indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in
the flesh cannot please God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in
the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any
man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
(5.)
Romans 13: 1-8, KJV: 1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher
powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are
ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power,
resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive
to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good
works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do
that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he
is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is
evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the
minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that
doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for
wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye
tribute also: for they are God’s
ministers, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 Render
therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law.
There
is far more that should be said, correctly examined, and spiritually
apprehended. (For example, (6.)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5PLdnz5UdU.) Even
so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according
to your faith.
Image
downloaded 3:30 PM, March 18, 2020 @
https://biblepic.com/53/15847.jpg
Washington,
DC
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