10/14/22 HOW SHALL WE THEN LIVE?

10/14/22 HOW SHALL WE THEN LIVE?

WE DON'T ACT OUT OF FEAR OR GODLESS SUBMISSION TO A GOD HATING STATE. WE CHOOSE THE WAY OF LOVE AND WISDOM.

In a famine, no one would eat their morsels as if it was an endless feast. In time of drought we would not waste water on the insignificant or the unessential. We must live wisely and lovingly in these days of worldwide difficulties.

As our pre-Tribulation world goes through major changes, environmentally, politically, religiously, morally, economically, we as Western Christians, need to learn how to live under extreme difficulties. Sickness, persecution, financial oppression will change our lives dramatically. One problem that is more pronounced now, and will probably continue to intensify is physical sickness and medical problems.

The Bible and History teaches us that in time of disease we should take precautions. Sanitation, diet, sometimes isolation (quarantine) needs to be practiced. We should not live in fear, but neither should we be cavalier and presumptuous. Just think about how you would live if you lived in a region of the world that suffered a terrible plague. You would not cut yourself off from the world, but neither would you ignore healthy living practices. Faith is active but it is not presumptuous. 

I have always encouraged people in my ministry to follow healthy practices. If you are contagious or if you are likely to be contagious from social contacts, then it is best and loving to not willfully infect anyone else.

In recent years I have used the internet as a tool in maintaining connections with friends and parishioners. I have also provided online ministry meetings for those who live at a distance and for those who are unable to be in an in-person meeting. I am still trying to develop this format as fully as possible, as a pastoral tool and as a training medium, as well as an evangelistic outreach.

This allows us to meet regularly through out the week, even when someone is sick. When they are no longer contagious they are able to slip right back into scheduled services.

These are not the same days as we have faced in the past. In fact, our tomorrows are going to present even more challenges. People of different ages and health conditions need to be considered. We must be considerate and proactive in protecting the very young, the old and those with a weak physical constitution.

Those who are seeking a Bible teaching church can feel comfortable when they hear that our church takes family health seriously. They can be encouraged when they hear that we still meet and interact, but they can be comforted to know that we do not treat public health in a careless way.

Our world is changing and we as Christians need to adapt to the temporal, in order to do the work of eternity.