Bad news
Virus and Repentance…what do they have in common? Today, we are facing a pandemic coronavirus. If it has not touched your life or your family’s, it is simply news. Mostly bad! But to those that are directly or indirectly impacted, it is very real and dangerous. Many elderly have died. Your financial circumstances are most likely affected, especially if you have invested in the stock market. Since the decline began, 21% of the value has eroded. That equates to trillions of dollars of losses. And to those that are losing their job income due to quarantining or reduction in business, it is disastrous.
We are being encouraged to not hug, shake hands, or similar bodily contact. Washing hands and applying hand sanitizers are the order of the day. We went to purchase more sanitizers yesterday, and everything is sold out, even on Amazon. Toilet paper is flying off the shelf. Meetings are being cancelled and people who can work at home are being asked or required to. Schools are closing and extending spring breaks.
Cleansing
As I was reflecting on this, my mind drifted to all the efforts that are being taken to cleanse oneself physically to avoid the virus. Smart move! I wonder what would happen in our lives if we spent this much time and effort in confessing our sins to cleanse our souls? As an aside, I have been praying that millions of people around the world will reach out to the True Physician, Jesus, to save them, from the virus yes, but mainly, to save their souls from eternal damnation.
The medical field and the government are taking steps to help our citizens cope with the virus on several levels. Scripture tells us that “If my people who are called by my name, will humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chron. 7.14 ESV). God uses many things, even deadly viruses, to call us to or back to himself. For the most part, except for some politically motivated ones, the nation is pulling together to battle a deadly enemy, coronavirus. What if the Church was as unified in combating the deadly enemy, sin and Satan? What would it look like? People being healed for eternity, and the ‘least of these’ being ministered to as Jesus directed.
Christian unity
What does Christian unity produce? “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity! It is like the precious oil on the head, running down on the beard, on the beard of Aaron, running down on the collar of his robes! It is like the dew of Hermon, which falls on the mountains of Zion! For there the Lord has commanded the blessing, life forevermore” (Psalm. 133 ESV).
As we unite to withstand this virus, let us unite in prayer, bringing about repentance within the Church and outside. Scripture makes it simple. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (I Jn. 1.9 ESV). How can this happen—because Jesus, while on the cross, said “It is Finished”. His finished work has made it possible for all to be fully healed from the scourge of sin, and to dwell safely in the secure arms of a loving Father. Quarantine yourself in HIM!!! No safer place to be!
