CORONAVIRUS: CAUSE? HOW TO RESPOND?

Here is an excellent video by Rev. George Ong on the above topic:    

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3luYILWVyY&t=337s

Make sure you watch it. It shares the truth, which is often harsh. 

This video will help us answer 3 important questions:

Who/what caused the coronavirus pandemic? God allowed it to happen. Not Satan, as taught by Joseph Prince.

Will God protect ALL believers from the virus based on Psalm 91?  Not all.

What is the ONE thing we must not fail to do?   Repent.

REPENT OR PERISH

The following passage tells us that, in times of calamity, such as this viral pandemic, it would be simplistic to presume that people with great sin will perish while those who are less sinful are spared. All of us are sinners. Unless we repent, we will all perish on the final Day of Judgment:

• There were some present at that very time who told him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And he answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered in this way? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them: do you think that they were worse offenders than all the others who lived in Jerusalem? No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” 
  (Luke 13:1-5).

In the context of the current pandemic, we must not think that those who die from coronavirus disease are greater sinners than those who are healthy or survived its attack. For in the eyes of God, everyone will be judged impartially as we are all sinners. Unless we repent, we will perish—be eternally separated from God when we pass away (a state of ‘spiritual death’ in hell).

Whereas the mortality rate of coronavirus is around 1% to 8% (varies according to country), the death rate for sin is 100%. This makes sin a more deadly “disease”—to be feared much more than the viral pandemic.

Jesus warns: “Don’t be afraid of people. They can kill you, but they cannot harm your soul. Instead, you should fear God who can destroy both your body and your soul in hell” (Matthew 10:28). 

All my blog posts on coronavirus were created before I stumbled on to this video.

And I am glad that what I believe in concurs with that found in the above video.

Happy viewing and listening. And please do remember to respond.

RELATED POSTS

MAKING SENSE OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC

Dark clouds portend an approaching storm. What does this current viral outbreak warn us about?

https://bit.ly/2JKLA4f

DOES PSALM 91 OFFER PROTECTION VS CORONAVIRUS?

Does Psalm 91 offer absolute protection for believers from the coronavirus pandemic?

https://bit.ly/34ioonr

DECEPTION OF HYPER-GRACE

Joseph Prince teaches that Satan is responsible for pestilences. Beware of the deception of this hyper-grace preacher.

https://bit.ly/2UORpUq

IS REPENTANCE MERELY CHANGING ONE’S MIND?

Hyper-grace teaches believers only need to change their mind (correct their past erroneous thinking) when they repent. Is this what the Bible teaches about repentance?

http://bit.ly/15qK4KI

COMFORTING LIE, BITTER TRUTH

Some people only want to hear things that are pleasant and soothing. They would rather listen to comforting lies than harsh truths. Why are so many afflicted by the itching ears syndrome?

https://bit.ly/2yJFmiL

CORONAVIRUS: FAITH VS INTELLECT

Among the various things I learnt from the viral pandemic is: Having faith does not mean we need to throw sound medical advice and common sense out of the window.  

                                                                                 

In this viral pandemic, psalms on man’s frailty and life’s brevity shout aloud to me … not Psalm 91, unlike many other believers.

Many cling onto Psalm 91, believing that it grants believers "immunity" from a virus that afflicts all races, religions and social classes. That is just wishful thinking.

Notice that the psalm preceding Psalm 91 tells us how frail we are and how transient our life on earth is:

• We are like the grass that flourishes in the morning but withers away in the evening (Psalm 90: 5-6)

• Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away (Psalm 90: 10).

Second, this contagion taught me that we must not put God to the test. If we neglect measures to safeguard our health and that of others around us and cling on to Psalm 91 like a magic charm to protect us from the virus, we are being foolhardy. It is tantamount to putting God to the test in a negative way. 

This happened in the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness when Satan incited Jesus to jump down from a high point in the temple, saying the angels would support Jesus and he would not be hurt:

• Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ (Matthew 4:5-7)

By the way, this account is an excellent example of how selected scriptures can be used inappropriately by false teachers and, of course, the Father of lies, Satan.

Third, this pandemic teaches me to live wisely and intentionally. Each day is a gift from God. Every breath we take is a reason for thanksgiving. As such, we should seek God’s will for our lives and then live it out: 

• “Act like people with good sense and not like fools. These are evil times, so make every minute count. Don’t be stupid. Instead, find out what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t destroy yourself by getting drunk, but let the Spirit fill your life” (Ephesians 5:15-18)

In fact, the pandemic is a warning, a wake-up call to people everywhere of God’s impending judgment:

• “Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21: 34-36).

                                                                             

Fourth, the outbreak has taught me that we need a balanced, sensible approach to life. Having faith does not mean we throw sound medical advice and common sense out of the window.  

Faith need not clash with medicine/science. In fact, they are friends. Long before the study of Microbiology, scripture has already instructed man to observe sanitary measures for his well-being ... even before the discovery of germs and invention of the microscope.

• “And make sure that you have a small shovel in your equipment. When you go out to the toilet area, use the shovel to dig a hole. Then, after you relieve yourself, bury the waste in the hole” (Deuteronomy 23:13).

This is sound advice on sanitation for God’s people if they want to avoid getting sick in the desert—the ancient equivalent of current measures to safeguard ourselves in the pandemic such as frequent hand washing and wearing masks. The underlying principle is that germs have to be isolated.

Faith teaches us not to fear but trust God. Yes, now is the time not to cower in fear. But it is also not the time to be foolhardy and neglect measures to safeguard our health like staying home, social distancing and frequent hand washing.

Apart from telling us not to fear, the apostle Paul reminded us that God has given us a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). But sometimes the line between fearlessness and foolhardiness can be razor thin. https://bit.ly/39DZmjt

Some believers advocate meeting as usual, not neglecting fellowship (Hebrews 10: 25). They insist there are instances when we ought to defy the law, citing Peter’s example that “we must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5: 29). In fact, some have become so outspoken about their views that they begin deriding other ‘play it safe’ believers who choose to stay home and “meet” using technology like Zoom.

Notice the example of Peter is with regards to the preaching of the Good News, which is a different context. The reason for isolation and social distancing is a sound one: Mild cases of coronavirus are responsible for many cases of transmission. So we may feel well and look well but we may be a danger to others. This accounts for cluster transmission of the virus from church gatherings. 

The eradication of the pandemic is achieved not through fiery proclamation by “prophets” who decree for it to cease in Jesus’ name but by collective efforts of individuals in every nation. In a highly-connected world where the virus can easily 'hitch a ride' from one country to another—thanks to modern air travel—this all-inclusive approach cannot be overemphasised. If necessary, draconian measures—like heavy fines and jail term—might have to be used to temporarily curtail individual freedom in order to contain the virus.

To reiterate, in this pandemic, we must not cower in fear. But we must also not be foolhardy and neglect measures to safeguard our health. 

RELATED POSTS

CORONAVIRUS: JUDGMENT FROM GOD? 

Is the coronavirus pandemic a manifestation of God’s wrath?

https://bit.ly/2Jnh0gG

FAITH OR FOOLHARDINESS?

How do we distinguish between faith and foolhardiness?

https://bit.ly/39DZmjt

HOW THEN SHALL WE LIVE?

In these perilous end times, how should believers live?

https://bit.ly/33QoYsg

DOES PSALM 91 OFFER PROTECTION VS CORONAVIRUS?

https://bit.ly/2UyhqX0

EXTERNAL LINKS
VIRGINIA PASTOR WHO DEFIANTLY HELD CHURCH SERVICE DIES OF CORONAVIRUS

https://bit.ly/2RAtfLj

TITHE-PAYING CHRISTIANS PROTECTED FROM CORONAVIRUS BY PSALM 91?

Is that so?

https://bit.ly/2xio0IU