04/17/20 A FEW GUIDELINES

04/17/20 A FEW GUIDELINES

For whatever reason, this virus does require strange and extreme action. People will die if we don't take certain actions.

Unless a directive challenges the actual, Biblical Lordship of Christ, and unless that directive is either Christ, Bible or Christian specific, I would not treat directives as being a blatant, official attack on my faith and relationship with Christ. While it is true that God haters will use any and all opportunities to oppress and persecute Christians, they will also use non-opportunities and they will twist every issues to their own purposes. I don't have to have all my rights and I don't have to fight for all my rights and I don't have to defend all of my rights. That mentality makes us prone to fight for minor issues and therefore lose the battle in the major issues. Humility, tolerance, patience are Christian values. We should never compromise the Lordship of Christ or authority of the Bible but there are times that Christians should hold their peace and let God do what God wants to do. When faced with an attack on my beliefs and practice, I have found it helpful to ask myself the question, "Am I willing to die for this issue or am I willing to let my loved ones be attacked because of this issue." Some issues are worth dying for and some are not. We need to know God's view on issues in order to make our stand, otherwise we are fighting (spiritually) for something that God does not endorsed.

Staying at home for a while may be the best thing to do.
Missing work for a while may be the best thing to do.
Not gathering physically in large groups or possibly infected groups may be the best thing to do.

After all, reasonable people often follow those directives when they are given for our safety in medical, vocational, educational, community situations. There is a certain separation that God, common sense and Christian wisdom has required through the years. WHY NOT DURING A WORLD WIDE SICKNESS (regardless of where it came from)?

Restrictions on general society is not Christian persecution (though it may be used in that way).
Equal use of restrictions in society is not Christian persecution.
Short term and targeted areas of social restriction and isolation is not Christian persecution.

As a Christian, I want to do that which is best for myself, my family, my church, my neighbors.
In fact, I should not have to be told to take proactive steps in promoting community well being by my government.

When we are being moved into or forced into social restrictions (which may include religious meetings) we should draw closer to God and learn how to serve Him faithfully when actual persecution comes.

Just a few quick thoughts.

I ask if a particular restriction or requirement actually conflicts with the revealed and clear word of God.
I ask if the principles I am defending are in line with Christian standards and principles throughout history.
I ask if the principles I am defending are principles that other Christians in other parts of the world have or are presently defending.

For instance, studying the word of God is part of basic faith and practice for a Christian. However, 9:30 Sunday School (as important as it is) is not an essential to Christianity. As nice as meeting in a building, which is dedicated to worship, praise, study, fellowship, ministry, it is not essential to Christianity.

I also consider the New Testament response to oppression, persecution. There is no such thing in the New Testament as carnal retaliation or violent resistance to oppression or persecution. In fact, there is no such thing as anger, hatred, whining or being negative toward those who mistreat us. We are to love our enemies, do good to those who mistreat us.

The Christian response to being attacked is to show forth the love of Christ and to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. We must not let complainers and fault finders set our moral or attitudinal response to those who are doing us evil.