Don't Let the Devil Win

God's church has done pretty well in the midst of challenging circumstances. Historically we usually do.  Satan had a great opportunity to deliver a blow to God's mission. Most of us have been unable to meet together. For the first time Resurrection Sunday services were canceled world wide. Our greatest celebration set to the side. The isolation has continued for longer than any of us had hoped or expected. However, families reconnected. We have made phone calls and checked up on our senior members. We left meals and groceries on doorsteps. We found ways to place worship, devotionals, Bible studies and messages out there on the web. Some of us "Zoom" together while others "Duo", "Face time" or video chat.The message of the gospel and the opportunity to learn about the Lord has multiplied in ways we could not have imagined. What was meant for evil has been turned to good. It has been an amazing thing to behold and a time to give glory to the Lord God for the opportunities we have had. It is also a time to pray that all this spiritual social media will have a dramatic effect and that there would be a great harvest for God's kingdom. We have more than survived the pandemic, we have been conquerors in Christ Jesus. Working through the trial is something we have demonstrated we can do successfully. It is coming out of the trauma where we often do not fair so well. 

This time will not last forever. We are seeing the isolation begin to draw to a close. In the USA different states are giving various degrees of freedom for churches to gather together once again. Churches are putting together strategies and programs to reopen. It is not an easy task and the variables depending upon your location or restrictions make the challenges even greater. On top of that all of the churches that assemble across our lands are full of people. I do not mean the building, I mean the assemblies of living breathing people. You know, all those sheep with various gifts, personalities and experiences just trying to get along. I have been involved in pastoral ministry for over forty years now, and I have seen the Body of Christ splinter in the best of times over the most trivial things. We are often our own worst enemy. In times of struggle we put divisive things aside and look out for one another. That is how it should be. And that is what we have seen. Again, it has been a glorious and God honoring thing to behold. We need to be fervently praying that this would continue.

In the process of keeping up with folks I have spent a bit more time on the phone. Emails and texting are useful, however, talking to people on the phone has many advantages and offers a little better communication. What I have found is that there are a great divergence of opinions as to Covid 19, where it came from, how dangerous it is and what to do. Opinions vary from, "This is no beg deal, I've seen worse cases of flu and colds" to "This is the clear sign of the apocalypse in Revelation". There are conspiracy theories that suggest China is the cause, the "Illuminati" is setting up a one world government, the Democrats are forcing socialism on us, or the Republicans and big business set this up to thin out the elderly, non productive, populations and force us all to buy vaccines. Some are said with a bit of humor and some with real intensity as they hope to convert me to their cause. Thus, we should be meeting together like we always have, no need for masks or precautions this was all an overreaction, we will be fine. We should not be meeting at all. We should meet in cars in the parking lot. We should meet outside. We should put speakers in the church windows so people can meet inside or outside depending on how they feel. We should meet but all wear masks and stay six feet apart. We need hand sanitizer at every door and free masks. We should not pass an offering plate or communion tray for they may have germs. Just wait until the government says it is okay. The government has overstepped its bounds, we should ignore them and just meet anyway. 

Ahh, the joy of Christian unity. The one commonality we find in every book of the Bible is the question of unity and God;s people trying to get along. Think about it, can you think of any book in the Bible that does not have some kind of human conflict in it? It seems to be the devil's most effective tool. Churches divide, families split, fellowships are ripped apart, friendships destroyed. It happens all the time. The potential for this destruction is waiting on our doorstep. How will you respond to believers with varying view on this pandemic and how to move forward? Will you feel a bit judgmental toward those with a different point of view? Satan will flood our minds with thoughts of how naive some people are. How easily some are manipulated or duped by the press. Or how arrogant and unfeeling some people are who have not suffered loss. We will be tempted to think less of others, get irritated with their boldness or lack of caution. The unity in crises could be shattered as the crises comes to a close. 

We have to move forward. We will have to begin to meet together as we all long to do. Yet, we will need remarkable forbearance and patience with one another as we do. We are likely to not get it all right all the time. Be in prayer for your pastors and church leaders who will need to make decisions as to how your church fellowship will proceed. They will not be perfect, however, my guess is that they really do care for you and will do the best they can. If you can not wait to get together, that is fine. If you are cautious and need more time, that is okay as well. We really will be put to the test as to how well we will love and respect one another in this time. The world has been watching. They will continue to watch as we proceed. What will they see? Loving people dealing with one another with patience and gentleness or a divided church struggling with division and chaos. I agree with David's thoughts in Psalm 133:1, "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" I also know the other side from Jesus' words in John 10:10,“The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy." I know which one the Lord wants and which on the devil hopes for. I say, don't let the devil win. How about you?