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Does it appear that erybody be worried about getting sick here lately? It’s like Mercutio from Romeo and Juliet is yelling “A plague ‘o both your houses!” to everyone around here. Are we facing a plague? Is this coronavirus, covid-19, SARS-CoV-2, or whatever it is called really worth buying up all the toilet paper and canceling vacations, basketball seasons, tournaments, schools, etc.? What is the church to do during times like these? Simple. We live for God. Yes, there are precautions to take, but these precautions are items we should be doing all the time to begin with: wash your hands with soap and water, cough and sneeze into your shirt or your elbow, use tissues then throw the dirty tissues away, don’t lick shopping carts, public bus seats or door handles and telephones. If we run out of toilet paper for whatever reason…grab some extra copies of the local paper until more toilet paper gets in. When it comes to sickness and what the news says, we become worse when we allow fear to take over and stop using common sense.

My household doesn’t watch the news at all. If something important is occurring we will hear it from someone. TV news simply makes us feel worse and causes worry or anger so we simply turn the television off during the news. Back to the question earlier of ‘what is the church to do during times like these?’ The answer is…reach the lost. In Luke 19:10 Jesus said he came to seek and save that which is lost. As we follow His example, so must we! When Jesus said to go and make followers all over the world by preaching the gospel and baptizing people following the example of His Son, His challenge was to not sit idle and get scared about the news. Whether there is a virus, a plague, war, or anything going on…the duty of the church remains the same. Every person who claims Jesus as Savior still has the same challenge. We are to reach One more for Jesus…then One more after that…and One more after that…and on and on and on. Don’t allow fear, worry, or concern to distract you from why you’re here. If you are a believer then spread the good news harder than ever. If you are not a believer, then seek salvation while you can (Jeremiah 29:13).

The duty of the church, now more than ever, is to be the good our communities need and to seek and save those who don’t yet know Jesus as Savior. Lord, empower us to do Your will. In Jesus name, amen. #bethegood

 

Rev. J. Cameron Bailey is pastor of Kenbridge Christian Church. He can be reached at jamescameronbailey@gmail.com