By: Dan Manson
It has pleased God according to His all wise, always good, eternal and immutable decree to grip this nation in fear by afflicting the world with this virus, Isa 45:7. Nothing like this has confronted us in our lifetime. As the elders pray through this situation, James 1:5, we find God, true to His Word, causing this to work for good to those who love God and are called according to His purpose, Rom 8:28. There are many blessings coming out of this situation. Record Bible sales, debauchery slowed, wickedness not as openly celebrated…etc. More than that, the Gospel is going forth and people are being saved. Our own Pastor has had opportunity to talk with local law enforcement, EMS and the mayor’s office. Hearts are being plowed and it is our duty to plant the seed of the Gospel. In the face of complete uncertainty in the world, we offer absolute certainty in Christ. At the same time we are compelled at home to practice what is commanded in James 1:19, “but everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.” This is a time when our duty to the community and to each other is palpable. The careful exercise of our Christian duties during this time (and all times) requires restraint and meticulous execution, 2Cor 6:3ff. “giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses…in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God…” All eyes are on us. Let us not discredit the ministry. The way we are responding to this situation is having an effect on the community. Take courage. Walking circumspectly in our Christian duty is an opportunity for growth.
What are our duties or responsibilities? They are no different now than any other time. I would like to remind us of what Paul says to the Philippians in chapter 4. The entire book has a theme of Paul’s affection for them and their unity in Christ, 1:27, 2:1-2, 3:15-17. This has its effect on us to walk with the Gospel in view, 3:17, and 20.
- 4:1, our first responsibility is to God, “stand firm in the Lord.” Trusting God results in action before people. Vs 4, we are to “rejoice in the Lord always,” 3:1, because “our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,” 3:20. Previously we were enemies of God but now we rejoice having been reconciled through our Lord Jesus, Rom 5:10-11. We rejoice always because even in the face of tyranny we know that evil men can only do what God has foreordained from all eternity Isa 46:10 (God’s decree), Gen 50:20, Acts 22:23-24, 4:27-28. We trust God’s promise that He “causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose,” Rom 8:28. (For more on God’s sovereignty, see the senior high Sunday school study on the website.) Seeing God’s sovereignty over calamity, Isa 45:7, and even over the evil acts of men, Gen 50:20, we rejoice always in our reconciliation while at the same time working out our salvation with fear and trembling because it is God who is at work in us both to will and to do, Phil 2:12-13. Therefore, our first responsibility is to God, Acts 5:29, “…we must obey God rather than men.” So far, the state suggested protocols regarding covid-19 does not constitute disobedience to God. Please know that the elders are proceeding carefully with respect to that.
- 4:2, our next responsibility is to each other. We are to “live in harmony in the Lord.” Paul had already commanded them, 2:1-4, to be of the same mind, united in spirit and “intent on one purpose.” Do not miss this. Let everything we do together and our interactions with each other be done with the Gospel in view. John 13:34-35, by our love people will know we are His disciples. Again, Philippians 2:3-4, we are to regard one another as more important than ourselves looking out “for the interest of others.” We find ourselves in an odd situation where NOT meeting or wearing a mask is the best interest for others. If you were heading to church one Sunday morning, and you saw someone’s animal trapped in a barbed wire fence, you would skip church to help that animal out of the barbed wire. Why wouldn’t you skip church for your brother in Christ? Why not wear a mask for your sister in Christ? Aren’t they more important than the animal caught in a fence? The Pharisees had a problem with Jesus healing on the Sabbath. They thought the observance of the day was more important than the healing of their brother. Should the elders of RBC have made a firm stand to continue meeting during this time simply for the sake our right to do so at your expense? This is an act of mercy on our part. When we come together, we ask that you wear a mask as an act of mercy on your part. This is the heart of the elders on this matter. In regards to our duty to one another, may I remind you of our responsibility to be subject to the elders of the local church, 1Pet 5. We will all give an account for ourselves before Christ. The elders will also give an account for you, Heb 13:17. There is much more to say on the subject of our responsibilities to one another especially in this time. For example, husbands love your wives, wives submit to your husbands, and children obey your parents… etc. This is a time where we can see the importance of all these. If we can’t love our wives, submit to our husbands, honor our parents and be in subjection to the elders, then how are we going to stand together in obedience to God when the state protocols do violate God’s commands?
- 4:5 finally our responsibility is to the community. This rejoicing shows itself to “all men” in our forbearance or “gentleness.” It is precisely because of God’s sovereignty that we remain forbearing, gentle, moderate, reasonable or gracious No matter what issue is at hand, whether dealing with this virus, or social controversy, or tyranny, or even war, belligerence is sin. Christians are to be ready to give a defense for the hope that is in us with gentleness and reverence, 1Peter 3:15. Are we ready to give a defense? Do we go forth with the Gospel on our lips? Please do not confuse your social causes with the Gospel. Asserting your rights as an American is not the Gospel. Paul says, “though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, that I might win the more,” 1Cor 9:19. The world is willing to give up its freedom for the sake of this virus. Are we willing to give up our freedoms for the sake of the Gospel? To the mask wearers I became a mask wearer that I might win the mask wearers. In doing so we become a fellow partaker of the Gospel, 1Cor 9:23. Our responsibility to the community and to each other is actually responsibility to the Gospel, which is our responsibility to God. It all goes back to Him. That is why we do not resist the government lest we find ourselves opposing God, Rom 13:2, 1Pet 2:11-17. If the government wants us to do something that God forbids, or not do something that God commands then we disobey. However, even in our disobedience we leave room for the wrath of God for He says, “vengeance is Mine. I will repay,” Rom 12:19. As far as it depends on us, we are to live peaceably with all men, Rom 12:18. The elders are not going to agree to any protocol that brings harm to people. Masks are harmless.
- Back to Philippians 4. We do all of this this because we know “the Lord is near,” vs5. Knowing the power and sovereignty of our Lord who is at hand, we trust Him completely even in affliction.
- 4:6 therefore we are to be anxious for nothing and pray in everything, giving thanks to Him. The words “nothing” and “everything” are emphatic in the Greek. There is a stark contrast between the two. In absolutely nothing are we to be anxious. In absolutely everything we are to seek God in prayer and supplication.
The elders at Rathdrum Bible Church ask for your patience as we carefully phase in our regathering. We are trying to be shrewd as serpents but harmless as doves. I was reminded of an old saying by Betty Beltz, “fools rush in where angels fear to tread.” We need to walk circumspectly with our Bibles open seeking wisdom from God, James 1:5, and not from men. It may be overblown. There is no end to the political chicanery surrounding this virus. That doesn’t change our responsibilities to God, each other, and the community.