What COVID Revealed
We are all a little different as a result of the last year. This pandemic has opened our eyes to things that were new concepts for most of us: social distancing, wearing masks, virtual services, etc. It has also revealed a couple of other things that should be equally obvious.
- There are no miraculous gifts In the New Testament, we read of God giving some Christians the ability to heal the sick and perform miracles. Paul, in addressing the “diversities of gifts” present with the Corinthians, said God gave some of them the gift “of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy…” (1 Corinthians 12:4, 9-10). It is abundantly clear that these gifts no longer reside within men. (Mainly because they were not needed once God completed His revelation, 13:8-10.) That is not to say God does not heal or perform miracles; He just no longer does so through the direct indwelling of the Holy Spirit like He did with the apostles and first Christians. The lingering presence of Covid-19 helps validate this.
Everyone in the world has been affected by this pandemic. That includes every religion and religious leader – all of whom have had to respond alike in preventing and treating this harmful disease. The majority of the world knows what it means to be confined to home and to shut down businesses and borders. Yet, no one – not one – in the religious world has been able to come forward with a miraculous antidote to this disease. That will not happen because God no longer gives that ability to humans.
- Some Christians are not committed Unfortunately, the so-called miracle workers are not the only imposters exposed in this virus. It is heartbreaking to see how many Christians have let it become an excuse to quit serving the Lord by no longer attending public services. Are virtual services sinful? Absolutely not. We all benefitted from them at the onset of this plague and still do in many ways. There are those who legitimately avoid public gatherings because of their health vulnerabilities, yet still seek the Lord first through online options. However, we have also seen evidence of those who say they cannot assemble yet still go about their normal routine of life by gathering in public for other reasons. This does not match up with righteousness nor does it say favorable things about us.
If our health is too poor for worship, why is it strong enough to frequent stores, workplaces, restaurants, and public places throughout the week? What are we saying to our friends and family when we demonstrate such inconsistency? (And we can be assured they notice it!) Are we letting our light shine as God’s people when we put forth an inferior effort in response to public worship? Is that an example of faith that will win people to the Lord?
If you no longer attend public worship because of this pandemic, I ask you to honestly consider if you have let this virus (and the fear promoted in the media) overthrow your faith. I say that with all sincerity because I believe we were all tested in one way or another this last year. I am concerned if we have the faith and conviction we think we have. Honestly, how many of us have the same courage of Daniel and his friends when they were confronted with life-threatening ultimatums? Will we be cast to the lions’ den if prayer becomes illegal for us? Will we be willing to be burned alive to avoid bowing to a graven image (cf. Daniel 3:13-18)? I am afraid this virus has shown that some of us are not at that level of commitment and that we will do everything we can to stay comfortable in this world, even if it means abandoning God.
The good news is we are still here and have opportunity to improve our faith. Our God is rich in mercy and ready to forgive (cf. Ephesians 2:4-10) if we have the humility and wisdom to depend on Him. Hopefully, this pandemic has made that abundantly clear as well. We are vulnerable and hopeless without Him! So whatever the crisis, let us cling to God in faith in the same way David did. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).
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