This in the context of what we are facing is what I've been wrestling with:
Titus 3:1-2, 8-9
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. . . the saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
So for those followers of Jesus reading this, here are some verses to consider as we face the next few weeks (all emphasis mine throughout):
Romans 13:1-2
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
These are God's words, given to us in order to see His glory in all things. Looking at this passage, it is NOT saying that if the government tells us to do something that is against God's commands to us, we should submit anyway. This Scripture has been used out of context throughout history and I don't want to make that same fault.
However. . .
Paul is talking to believers dealing with a political climate in which they could be persecuted and die for living out their faith. In contrast, we are being asked to stay in our homes for a few weeks. If we believe God is sovereign, then we need to recognize that He holds our entire life in His hands- our livelihoods, our families, our country, everything. He provides everything we need and blesses us beyond that. So we don't have to live in fear of what is going on; I am currently working in an environment where the virus has been confirmed in peoples' lives, but I'm not afraid of the virus because I know who holds my future! I also know He gave me a brain and I do not want to be a contributing factor to spreading this virus before we as finite humans can understand what's happening. So as much as I hate wearing a mask and avoiding human contact, I have to trust that God is accomplishing what He desires for my life. Part of that is submitting to and recognizing God's ultimate sovereignty, and a part of that sovereignty is in those people who have been put in place as governing authorities above us.
This passage goes on to say-
Romans 13:3-7
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Whether or not we agree with the city counsel, mayor, state governor, or our President is irrelevant. Personal beliefs are not greater than God's sovereignty in the people who are currently in place making decisions. The desire for preserving American freedom is a good thing (I mean, our government is not arresting us for online church!), but we must also remember the true freedom that we have been given in Christ-
1 Peter 2:13-17
Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Peter here does not give an out. If anything. the out here is the will of God, and His will is that we do good in spite of what is going on. He makes the statement of "honor everyone" and then re-emphasizes "honor the emperor." Perhaps this is because we are in the flesh so apt to judge the persons put in charge of our government?
Also, I don't think the context is accidental here-
1 Peter 2:9-12
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
As Christians we ought to be living a life that contrasts the people around us. We know the end of this story, whether Jesus comes back or what awaits us at our last breath. We should have confidence in the hope of resurrection with Christ. And what that means for us in this moment is that we should be willing and burdened to share the hope of the Gospel with people who are anxious, depressed, hopeless without any way to look at the short-term reality of coronavirus life. We should be seen as calm, secure, and confident in the God of the universe Who holds every moment of our lives. The last bit definitely harkens back to the sermon on the mount when Jesus says "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
I understand that this is tough, because "my choice to go hang out with family and friends, to protest, to live my life the way I know is best is not a bad thing- it's simply my right as an American!" Yes, it is our "right" as American citizens. But let us not forget that we are ultimately citizens of heaven. To openly defy government orders that ultimately do not go against God's commands in our lives is not right in light of all the Scriptural evidence above. But I get it. We want to be able to plan our lives, to anticipate the end of this virus, to go out and be human again; but James addresses this concept-
James 4:13-16
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Is life difficult at the moment? Yes, absolutely. So much. I can certainly say that my personal and professional lives have been completely upended. I'm not alone in this. But God has provided for me in His sovereignty so that I can continue life in the way He desires, and I'm learning what my desire for physicality and His provision of His grace and presence really means.
So. . . what can we do?
In being submissive: to follow the social orders being subjected on us, to recognize that our personal freedoms are not more important than the greater good as we consider Christ's attitude toward the cross (not my will but Yours be done)
In obeying God: to not let this virus allow us to fall into easy sinful behaviors that would otherwise not be accessible except in slowing doing or isolation, and to see God's hand in the decisions that don't jive with our predispositions
In readying for good works: to reach out to our neighbors, our families, our coworkers with the hope of the Gospel and providing physical needs in their dire situations, giving glory to God for our ability to provide and also in His providence to serve them and tell them of His glory and hope
This resource has been really helpful for me: https://www.desiringgod.org/books/coronavirus-and-christ
As you post on social media, as you make choices for your family, as you respond to the next steps we take in this corona climate, remember Who is in control of all of this.
For the Christian, the coronavirus and your response to it should not be primarily a political issue. It is a Gospel issue.
This in the context of what we are facing is what I've been wrestling with:
Titus 3:1-2, 8-9
Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people. . . the saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people. But avoid foolish controversies, genealogies, dissensions, and quarrels about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
So for those followers of Jesus reading this, here are some verses to consider as we face the next few weeks (all emphasis mine throughout):
Romans 13:1-2
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment.
These are God's words, given to us in order to see His glory in all things. Looking at this passage, it is NOT saying that if the government tells us to do something that is against God's commands to us, we should submit anyway. This Scripture has been used out of context throughout history and I don't want to make that same fault.
However. . .
Paul is talking to believers dealing with a political climate in which they could be persecuted and die for living out their faith. In contrast, we are being asked to stay in our homes for a few weeks. If we believe God is sovereign, then we need to recognize that He holds our entire life in His hands- our livelihoods, our families, our country, everything. He provides everything we need and blesses us beyond that. So we don't have to live in fear of what is going on; I am currently working in an environment where the virus has been confirmed in peoples' lives, but I'm not afraid of the virus because I know who holds my future! I also know He gave me a brain and I do not want to be a contributing factor to spreading this virus before we as finite humans can understand what's happening. So as much as I hate wearing a mask and avoiding human contact, I have to trust that God is accomplishing what He desires for my life. Part of that is submitting to and recognizing God's ultimate sovereignty, and a part of that sovereignty is in those people who have been put in place as governing authorities above us.
This passage goes on to say-
Romans 13:3-7
Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
Whether or not we agree with the city counsel, mayor, state governor, or our President is irrelevant. Personal beliefs are not greater than God's sovereignty in the people who are currently in place making decisions. The desire for preserving American freedom is a good thing (I mean, our government is not arresting us for online church!), but we must also remember the true freedom that we have been given in Christ-
1 Peter 2:13-17
Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
Peter here does not give an out. If anything. the out here is the will of God, and His will is that we do good in spite of what is going on. He makes the statement of "honor everyone" and then re-emphasizes "honor the emperor." Perhaps this is because we are in the flesh so apt to judge the persons put in charge of our government?
Also, I don't think the context is accidental here-
1 Peter 2:9-12
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
As Christians we ought to be living a life that contrasts the people around us. We know the end of this story, whether Jesus comes back or what awaits us at our last breath. We should have confidence in the hope of resurrection with Christ. And what that means for us in this moment is that we should be willing and burdened to share the hope of the Gospel with people who are anxious, depressed, hopeless without any way to look at the short-term reality of coronavirus life. We should be seen as calm, secure, and confident in the God of the universe Who holds every moment of our lives. The last bit definitely harkens back to the sermon on the mount when Jesus says "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven."
I understand that this is tough, because "my choice to go hang out with family and friends, to protest, to live my life the way I know is best is not a bad thing- it's simply my right as an American!" Yes, it is our "right" as American citizens. But let us not forget that we are ultimately citizens of heaven. To openly defy government orders that do not go against God's commands in our lives is not right in light of all the Scriptural evidence above. But I get it. We want to be able to plan our lives, to anticipate the end of this virus, to go out and be human again; but James addresses this concept-
James 4:13-16
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.
Is life difficult at the moment? Yes, absolutely. So much. I haven't had a real hug/significant human physical contact since March 24, which between extroversion and being a touchy person is insane, and financially I'm out several thousand dollars in gigs at the moment (only March and April cancellations currently and May isn't looking good). I know I'm not alone in this. But God has provided for me in His sovereignty so that I can continue life in the way He desires, and I'm learning what my desire for physicality and His provision of His grace and presence really means.
So. . . what can we do?
In being submissive: to follow the social orders being subjected on us, to recognize that our personal freedoms are not more important than the greater good as we consider Christ's attitude toward the cross (not my will but Yours be done)
In obeying God: to not let this virus allow us to fall into easy sinful behaviors that would otherwise not be accessible except in slowing doing or isolation, and to see God's hand in the decisions that don't jive with our predispositions
In readying for good works: to reach out to our neighbors, our families, our coworkers with the hope of the Gospel and providing physical needs in their dire situations, giving glory to God for our ability to provide and also in His providence to serve them and tell them of His glory and hope
This resource has been really helpful for me: https://www.desiringgod.org/books/coronavirus-and-christ
As you post on social media, as you make choices for your family, as you respond to the next steps we take in this corona climate, remember Who is in control of all of this.
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