Coronavirus, What to Do Pt. 3
The Church’s Litmus Test and Exhortations
God is always dealing with the different heart issues of sinful mankind through afflictions, punishments, trials, conflicts and consequences of wrong choices. Any born-again theologian interpreting the whole of Scripture using proper exegesis can tell you, God is chastising the church and punishing this nation for their sins. When pestilence is sent as a chastisement for the disobedience of God’s people and/or because national rulers refuse to surrender to God’s guidance, there are Biblical solutions to be lived out so we may enjoy God’s forgiveness and intervention. One of those solutions is to test ourselves to the whole counsel of God’s Word. Before judging our government and an apostate church we are to be examining ourselves to see we are living faithfully in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 13:5-6)
Coronavirus at this time has not left and according to Sky News, “The government’s scientific advisers have warned, ‘The emergence of new COVID variants with a similar death rate to MERS, which kills one in three infected people, is a realistic possibility.’” (August 01, 2021) Coronavirus is an ongoing threat and prototype (s???c, ??) of a pestilence which is enabling the spirit of the Anti-Christ to prepare new generations to be easily controlled. The way the modern-day church is handling this affliction has encouraged Christian’s in their faith in the Lord. However, is causing God’ people to miss the heart-beat regarding His Holiness.
In our article Amidst the Pestilence, we learned how we can trust in the Lord, no matter what afflictions may come upon us. In Coronavirus, Our National Affliction we come to understand God is judging America and it is the church’s call to tell America of her need of repentance. The Biblical article In Good Conscience-During Coronavirus we learned how we must submit to our governmental authorities as long as it does not break God’s laws and heart. In Coronavirus, What to Do Pt.1 we grasped the need of a Biblical Restoration of the church for the last days. A Biblical truth long forgotten by Christians is rebirthed in our teaching, Coronavirus, What to Do Pt.2. In this Biblical teaching Coronavirus, What to Do Pt.3 the church is Biblically admonished to the high call set before her to live as one who has died to self and live by the influence to the Holy Spirit of Christ.
It is good for the church to remind us of God’s goodness and faithfulness during this present pestilence. But, to not remind the Church of Jesus Christ of her call to God’s holiness is not only short-sighted, it will prevent the Body of Christ of hearing what the Spirit is saying to the churches. (Revelations 2:7, 11, 17, 29; 3:8, 13, 22) They will miss the opportunity to guide a lost blind generation in the midst of this present delusion as well as the one to come.
Expressing disappointment in the Republicans and pointing fingers toward the Democrats has not made any real changes in taking out this affliction which effects the innocent. A truth presented by Jesus will open our eyes to see clearly what needs to be repented of so His church may be fully equipped in pointing people to a real relationship with Jesus Christ.
Under the preoccupy I Am The True Vine Jesus exhortation is, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in My Name, He may give it to you.” (John 15:16)
Truth’s worth realizing in this proclamation of Jesus are: 1.) A true church of Jesus Christ is not choosing the Lord’s disciples, the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ is calling the sinners to the Lord. 2.) Christians are appointed (t???µ? títhemi) by Jesus to bear fruit which only comes from abiding in Him every moment of our day. (Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship.) Jesus is the person who has the claim on our minds, spiritual hearts and the lives we are called to live in Holiness. 3.) The type of fruit lived determines our joy in seeing God intervene in our lives, our children and our nation.
The writer of the Book of Galatians has a key evaluation of which the child of God would want to examine himself with. “…I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God - But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.” (Galatians 5:22-26)
Notice Jesus said, “Those who belong to Christ have crucified the sinful nature…” meaning obedience to Jesus’ claim on their lives is expected by His friends. (John 15:14) “Crucified” (sta???? stauróo) metaphorically is to take no delight in anything that would break the Lord’s heart, which could lure us away from God’s truths or make us hard to the Holy Spirit’s promptings. Just as one would deny himself anything which would harm him, the Christian denies himself anything which would feed his sinful nature.
Men who want to remain faithful to their wives, deny themselves the influence of men who are unfaithful. Women who want to honor their husbands do not feed themselves the influences of family and friends who dishonor their husbands. People who choose not to abuse alcohol or drugs do not allow themselves to be influenced by people who do. This a truth lived by all who want to please the Lord, no one would allow themselves to be influenced by any worldly influences, fleshly lures or lies of the devil, every thought is taken captive and made obedient to Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 10:5) Every attack from the enemy of our soul is defeated by the whole counsel of God’s Word. Until God’s Word confirms it – that thought or desire is not to be fed. The Christian life is a constant battle not fought only on Sundays but every moment of the day. The enemy which dies in that battle is the one which is not fed. Feed your soul the meat of God’s Word, the worldview, the selfish-flesh and the lies of the devil will die.
Dr. Jim Burg once pointed out that life is hot water, the good or bad is brought out by the circumstances we face, and is determined by what is in the spiritual heart. You place a tea bag in hot water, what flavor is in that bag is drawn out.
Let the Holy Spirit examine your heart with these questions: What fruit is brought out in your life as you face trials, afflictions, temptations and successes? Is it the fruit of the flesh or the fruit of the Holy Spirit? The Bible says we are living epistles, letters known and read by everyone. (2 Corinthians 3:2) We are to “…show that we are letters from Christ Jesus, written by the Spirit of the living God on the human heart.” (2 Corinthians 3:3) All through Biblical history to now, Devine election is not about privilege but the purpose of our call by the Lord to produce fruit which come from only abiding in Christ.
In the midst of Coronavirus what does you letter say during the affliction, in ministering to the afflicted, and stabilizing a foundation for the next pestilences? Is the church corporately using this present prototype as a tool pointing people to Jesus Christ? While recognizing Coronavirus is a present treat are we pointing out that Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit are the ones to trust our souls to? While pointing out that the present laws being enacted are prototypes of the laws which will be brought about by the Anti-Christ, and are we informing people that a relationship with Jesus Christ is their only defense over the great delusion which is going to come to all of mankind.
Under the preoccupy, “Judging Others” our Lord said, “Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgement, you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?’ You hypocrites, first take the log out of you own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of you brother’s eye.” (Matthew 7:1-5)
The Greek word, “Judge” (krino) can imply to analyze or evaluate. Even on those occasions were there is no other outcome than a negative conclusion, our purpose should be constructive and not retributive. (Blomberg, C. (1992). Matthew (Vol. 22, p. 127). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.}
Applications are: If we want the government to hold to the right view of marriage, then we as Christians need to be cherishing our marriage covenant in every way God’s Word says, not adulterated by a world view or influenced by friends and family. Our duties to each other must be fulfilled joyfully or those who see us will say, “Why should I get married?” I always wonder when I see so many young people not embracing marriage – is it because we are not presenting the marriage covenant joyfully? Have we made the marriage covenant boring, undesirable and unpassionate?
If we want to the unchurched to embrace God’s Word then we do not hold the gift of prophecy in contempt. 1 Corinthians 14:1, “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy.” 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire, do not treat prophecies with contempt.” If reporters stood outside the churches of America and asked, “I have heard of this gift of prophecy, just what is this prophecy?” Would they get the right understanding and application of this New Testament gift which is a must for maturing the Body of Jesus Christ?
• The church which is unable to train the exegesis or hermeneutics of handling the Word of God, must use other means to draw a crowd. Turning the Holy House of God into a clubhouse is telling a blinded world view, the church is like all other worldly organizations.
The litmus for the church people today is – does our lives express a joyfulness to be taught the whole counsel of God’s Word as it pertains to the everyday circumstances we face, the trials which afflict our lives and spiritual heart, as well as the exercising of our Holy Spirit gifts.
Our national affliction, Coronavirus is God’s chastisement. Thus, we need leaders who have the heart of King David who was “conscience-stricken” after committing his sin which brought God’s chastisement against Israel. (2 Samuel 24:10) We as Christians need to stop asking God to bless our nation and petition Him to bring our leaders to repentance, so they will ask “what can we do to bless God.” David confessed, “I have sinned.” (2 Samuel 24:17) To many years our country has been governed by people who do not know the God they claim to serve or can care less about what His word says.
The true prophets in Biblical times were men of God who got their job done, they addressed the sins of the day. There are sins which place our nation in jeopardy of being afflicted and the modern - day eloquent speakers are failing the job which they are called to do.
What Needs Corrected?
One: The Church has cheapened to pulpit: Christians who have the New Testament gift of prophecy (p??f?te?? propheteúo) have been replaced with hirelings which are CEO’s who are effective in coming up with programs which intrigue many, but never equip people to walk in the holiness of God. Churches have gathered around themselves teachers who tell them what their itching ears want to hear. (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20; 1 Corinthians 14:1, 31; 2 Timothy 4:3) There are many who hold places in the pulpit who do not know Christ, they only know about Him. The high road in ministry is “…our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God.” (1 Thessalonians 2:4)
Second: Embrace Jesus’ Teaching on Repentance - The Bible says, “Therefore, God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:9-11) People like believing in a Jesus who is worshiped as a baby in a manger and remembered as a Savior who rose from the dead at Easter. What people are not embracing is the need of repentance.
Jesus gives us this powerful exhortation, "...I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3,5) The Bible says sin comes from a depraved mind, the results from not thinking it worthwhile to retain or seek the knowledge of God. (Romans 1:28) The Bible says "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." (Acts 3:19) John the Baptist has a message for us all, "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance."
"Repentance" (µet????a metánoia) is a change of mind, leading away from evil to righteousness, from good to striving towards God's best for us. (Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 509). New York: United Bible Societies.) "Repentance" is a profound change of mind involving the change of direction of life from that of self-centeredness and/or sin-centeredness to God or Christ-centeredness. God's forgiveness is available only to those who are repentant, for only they can receive it." (The New International Dictionary of the Bible)
Third: Our country makes unrighteous laws. The Bible says “For the Lord is our judge and Lord is our lawgiver, the Lord is our King…” (Isaiah 33:22) To often our law makers introduce laws which break the Lord’s heart and our judges have little to no concern how their decisions effect the Lord’s desire for righteous judgements.
Fourth: Our country embraces the slaughter of innocent blood. According to Mirage website, in 2019 America had 12,857 abortions, which evidently has the approval of most politicians, claiming woman’s right. God’s view of the unborn is clearly seen in the life of Jeremiah, ‘Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you and before you were born, I consecrated you…'” (Jeremiah 1:5) God has ownership over all mankind, He created them, He has ordained them and promises too always be with them. It is up to each person to surrender to God’s perfect will for them. It is not for us to cheapen a person’s life saying they have no value, just because we cannot see nor respect them. Life in the womb or out is unique, a person’s life has purpose, having God’s ordained call upon their life. God will have the last word in regard to every human life. Americans need to embrace God’s value on human life!
Fifth: America has redefined marriage. Jesus gives us God’s heart on marriage, “But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male and female.’ ‘Therefore, a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So, they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.” (Mark 10:6-9) Jesus was quoting from the Biblical truth of the creation of man and woman. One of the common quotes for the redefining of marriage is “Marriage should be based on love rather than outdated standards from earlier time.” Men have failed the Lord in the fact most do not make it their goal in life to love their wife as Christ did the church. Women have failed to understand the joy of being a Biblical “helpmate.” Thus, the marriage covenant has been violated often and is always in constant attack from Satan. The Devil hates the greatest institution ever created by God.
Lastly, God’s Word is drawn into question: The Bible says, “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire, do not treat prophecies with contempt.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19-20) The word, “contempt” (?????e??? exouthenéo) means “to make something or someone as of no account, to disregard…” (Analytical Lexicon of the Greek New Testament) In most secular news papers on the East and West coast, I have been told you could not get Christian teaching in them, even if you paid them. In an article published on July 01, 2011 in Answers Magazine, entitled, Many Christian Colleges Receive a Failing Grade, we read, “Let us be clear from the start. We love the idea of educating youth from a consistent, Bible-based worldview. But an ever-increasing number of Christian colleges no longer teach the authority of the Scriptures.”
Pastor Jack Willman, had an article reposted by Blog Post Promoter and on faithinthenews website. He writes, “The day may be coming when mentioning specific sins in the Bible will be seen as a hate crime in America. …Already, parts of the Bible have been and are still being removed from public square because some are ‘offended by it,’ so things like the Ten Commandments have been removed, even in conservative states, such as Oklahoma and Alabama. What is even more tragic is that some ministers, like Episcopalian Church, have actually ordained homosexual ministers, which is contrary to Biblical doctrine…. What has been noticed, it is growing more and more difficult to be able to preach the Word of God, in the streets.
Article written by Carol Kuruvilla, The Holy Bible Is Now One of The Most Challenged Books In America. On a child cartoon, the Word of God was mocked by a scene where the grand-father was putting his granddaughter to bed and was going to tell her a bed-time story. The grand daughter wanted to know is the story about people who believed the Bible is true. It was a mocking story about people who would believe the Bible.
“According to the American Library Association’s latest ‘State of America’s Libraries” report, The Holy Bible was ranked as the sixth most challenged book in America because of its ‘religious viewpoint.’”
The ALA’s Office for Intellectual Freedom has been collecting data about books that have either been challenged or banned from American schools or libraries since 1990. James LaRue, OIF’s director, told The Huffington Post that the Bible pops up regularly on the organization’s annual challenged books list, but that it has never before breached the top 10.
Our spiritual litmus test should have the results of Dr. Billy Graham – In Billy Graham’s early day in ministry – he struggled with trusting the Bible was true. In the beginning like all of us who had been touched by the Holy Spirit, we were excited about the Word of God. Billy Graham like most us over the years began to question God’s Word – As he read other’s material on the Bible – they began to draw questions that all the Bible wasn’t true. He even had a friend Chuck Templeton tell him that not everything in the Bible was true.
Once when at a conference Templeton mocked Mr. Graham saying, “Billy, you are fifty years out of date. People no longer accept the Bible as being inspired. Your language is out of date. You are going to have to learn a new jargon if you are going to be successful in ministry.” These words not only hurt Mr. Graham it shook his trust in God’s Word.
Thankfully, there was a lady, Henrietta Mears, the conference director. She was confident the truths in the Bible are God’s Holy Word. She encouraged Billy Graham to study the Word of God, which he did alone. Billy studied the Scriptures which taught about the authority of God’s Word, their inspiration. Then he went out into the forest, prayed “O God! There are many things in this book I do not understand. There are many problems with it for which I have no solution … I can’t answer some of the questions Chuck and others are raising.” As he prayed the Holy Spirit enabled Billy to pray, “Father, I am going to accept this as Thy Word – by faith! I am going to allow my faith to go beyond my intellectual questions and doubts, and I will believe this to be Your inspired Word.” (Just As I Am: The Autobiography of Billy Graham, pp 135-139)
The church which desires to be used of God during these days of the Coronavirus pandemic must find herself abiding in Christ, producing the fruit of the Holy Spirit in trials, facing temptations and in all circumstances of life. The church needs to strengthen herself by honoring the pulpit of God, replacing eloquent speakers and CEO’s with Christians who exercise the gift of New Testament prophecy (p??f?te?? propheteúo). The church must be seeking the Lord to bring our leaders to the heart of king David, “conscience-stricken” over their sins. The church needs to teach the whole counsel of God’s Word about true repentance, stop the sloppy-agape approach to building a church. The church is to call our country to repent over the slaughter of innocent blood and their redefining Marriage. Lastly, stop treating the proclaiming the true teachings of God’s Word with contempt making it look like it has no real value for Americans.
