Well a question that might bring some clarity is “What would Jesus do?” You know Christ could have come as the King of Kings. He could have come to Jerusalem and chased the Romans out. Set Israel free as the people of the time wanted him to do. Established His eternal kingdom right there and then.
Instead He came as a man. Became a rabbi; gathered a team of twelve disciples; Preached a gospel of repentance; Claimed to be the Son of God; Entered Jerusalem on a donkey colt; Was crucified as a sacrifice for all men; Raised from the dead on the third day; Became the propitiation for the sins of all men and specifically those who believe on Him.
Christ Jesus didn’t stray from the task before him. He could have taken up arms; Called the angels; Destroyed the Pharisees; Judged the wicked; Ruled the Earth. Don’t think he wasn’t tempted. Instead he stayed the path and became our Saviour.
We as Christians are called to share the gospel with the lost; baptise them with the water and the Spirit; lead them into a relationship with Christ Jesus; Teach them from the Holy Scriptures; Build Christ’s bride.
Jesus said in Revelation 2:7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. KJV
Revelation 2:11 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. KJV
Revelation 2: 17 To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it... KJV
Revelation 2:26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations...” KJV
Revelation 3:5 He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. KJV
Revelation 3:12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.
Revelation 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.KJV
Our commission as Christians is to carry the gospel to the nations but our mission is to overcome all of the challenges and trials the this world and its Prince throw at us. If we overcome then all of the rewards that the Savior has promised the Seven Churches in Revelation chapter two and three will be ours.
There is one other challenge that Jesus mentioned in His message to the Angel of the Church at Smyrna in Revelation 2:10
Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. KJV
So we as Christians can endure prison, trial and tribulation but if we faithful unto death we will receive a crown of life. So it’s pointless to cry and wail about Covid and Vaccinations and the government because that isn’t in our remit as Christians.
We are soldiers at war with the Prince of this World and as such we can expect persecution and tribulations. Our job is to lead the lost to Christ Jesus by sharing the gospel and allowing God to reach the lost. We are vessels and instruments of Yahweh Elohim. The Creator and the Living God. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
A second question that might be useful to discuss is “Why do we obey the government?” The simple answer from a Christian perspective is because the Bible tells us that we should listen to the government and be obedient to our rulers.
The apostle Paul says in Romans 13:1-7 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. 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. ...” ESV
The apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 2:13-15 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. ESV
So when the government says to lock down and stay at home because there is a Covid epidemic or there is a vaccine that you need to take. The least disruption and objection should come from the Christians. God has instituted government and placed it in authority for the betterment of all men.
Bearing in mind scriptures like l John 4:18 There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. So we are in Gods love and we need not fear. ESV
Further, John 16:33 “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” ESV
And a final wise word from the book of Proverbs chapter 3 verses 1- 4 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ... ESV
So trust in the Lord. If we abide in his love we have no need to fear. We need not worry about the World or the consequences of obeying the rulers that God has set over us. Rather trust in God and be obedient to his will and sensitive to the bidding of the Holy Spirit. Remember that we will have tribulation in this world but we need not fear for Christ Jesus has said “Take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Remember the importance of love as a Christian. l Corinthians 4:7-13 Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. ESV
l John 4:8 Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. ESV
Remember to love your enemies Luke 6:35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. ESV
Otherwise, our job in the Covid World as Christians is to be salt and light to the people in our time. To work hard to get the gospel to the lost and grow and strengthen the Bride of Christ. To serve at the pleasure of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
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