COVID-19

We live in a very different world than we did just eight months ago. The COVID-19 pandemic has dominated people’s lives. Some believers reacted by scoffing at calls to isolate and avoid contact with others. They said it was not worse than the flu and that politicians were blowing it out of proportion. Other believers huddled in their homes, wearing gloves and masks trying to avoid catching the virus. When masks became an issue(mandated), the divide was expanded. Those brethren who choose to wear a mask were branded as lacking in faith and those who didn’t wear the mask were stigmatized as uncaring and callous. Ole Ernest lived through the Spanish Flu back in the early part of the 20th century. Here is some information about the Spanish Flu everyone needs to see:

500 million people(1/3 of the world’s population) got the Spanish Flu. 50 million worldwide died- 675,000 in the U.S. It hit healthy people(young people) hard. It came in waves(3-4 depending on who you ask) and the second wave was the worst. It took a near complete shut down to stop it. Similar to what we are facing a century later, Americans were resistant and reluctant to give up their freedom to stop the spread.

Churches and pastors have been vocal about how important it is to meet, and some have defied state and local authorities and held services. They say God told us to not neglect assembling and they are gonna assembly. Pastor John MacArthur has faced down LA County government, but the battle continues. Read more about that here: https://capstonereport.com/2020/08/30/retaliation-la-county-cancels-lease-agreement-with-macarthurs-church/34912/

Here is Ernest Lee’s take on all this:

First, believers are to love their neighbor. Jesus said so in Mark 12:31. It’s part of the Great Commandment- Love God, Love your neighbor. When believers berate fellow believers about wearing a mask- or not wearing a mask- they are showing little love. They are being judgmental and Pharisaic. As for me, I don’t see the harm in wearing the stupid mask and if it prevents someone from getting this virus, then why not wear it? Wearing a mask is not the hill Ernest Lee wants to die on.

Second, believers are commanded to submit to government. Romans 13 is pretty clear. The government is there to protect those that do good and punish those that do evil. COVID-19 mask enforcement and closing of churches is hard to place in the protecting those that do good category. No doubt government has overreached and its not the government’s job to protect ourselves from ourselves, but when we face a very contagious virus, doesn’t it make sense to be careful? It’s disturbing when believers throw caution to the wind and openly rebel against reasonable requests by local governments. America is the land of the free and certainly its a person’s right to engage in risky behavior, but their recklessness ends where Ernest Lee’s nose begins. Many of these believers claim Biblical justification for their behavior, but here are a couple of scriptures they have to cut out with their penknife: Hebrews 13:17, Romans 12:18, 1 Cor. 8:9

Third, God is still on the throne! Throughout all this pandemic, politics, and strife, God is still in control of this world. Many of the believers who are creating havoc claim to believe that, but their actions say something else. In a time when the gospel is needed more than ever, believers are arguing over a small piece of cloth. May God have mercy on our country. May each of you stay safe during this pandemic. May pastors preach the gospel with power and clarity. May God regenerate dead hearts and people see their need of a Saviour. None of us will escape death(unless the Lord returns), but some believers are standing in the middle of the train track waiting for it to hit them. Focus on your purpose as a believer- Glorify God by letting your light so shine before men that others will see your good works and glorify the Father. Being rebellious, contentious, and confrontational is not a good testimony.