Pt. 1 “Pandemic Positivity?” Do’s & Dont’s in a “Crisis/Opportunity”
Life Focus: God has given us all things…
“As His divine power has given to us ALL THINGS PERTAINING TO LIFE AND GODLINESS, through the knowledge of Him who called us to glory and virtue.” -2 Peter 1:3
PANIC. FEAR. ANXIETY. These are the symptoms of the problem and not the cause. While we “exhort peoples everywhere,” non-believer and believer alike, to just “Trust in God!”– this proverbial and religious cliche does very little to help the soul that does not really know God.
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:14
This new “God of our own understanding” created by the New Age thought leaders of our post-Christian era – isn’t the same God that Paul was referring to in Romans chapter 10. On the contrary, this new god is one of “higher thought,” of transcendental meditation, and of “mindfulness” practice. Our God, the God of all Creation, which they have attempted to reduce and “deconstruct” to a mere thought – will be harder and harder for the people to call upon, much less believe in. They do not know Him as the God of Scripture, but hopefully, we do.
During our times of uncertainty, we must call upon a God THAT WE KNOW personally because it is only through that “knowledge of Him” (the knowledge of Christ) that we can receive ALL THINGS which pertain to life and godliness. (That means absolutely everything, saints, including His Peace or Shalom.) It will be from THE God-Elohim, El-Shaddai; the Creator, Designer, and Architect of all that is, ever has been, or will ever be. Only through Him and His fullness will we find the blueprint and instructions to get through ANY and every situation in this life. It is through His direct knowledge and holy instruction that we will have the ability to not only walk in TRUE godliness but live in it.
AVOIDANCE AND SEPARATION… Many of us are finally learning (and some for the first time) that avoidance or separation from danger, even potential danger, does not make us bad or hateful people. That “separation” is actually a GOOD thing when it comes from God and is applied righteously and judiciously to our lives. We begin to understand that separation from not only physical but spiritual harm is a demonstration of God’s wisdom and His very best for our lives. This is very different, however, from simply abandoning others and our responsibilities, acting punitively or walking in a spirit of fear.
Exercising our ability to effectively operate in God’s spiritual discernment and judgment is also a part of His Wisdom. It is taking some of us to experience this UNPRECEDENTED time of crisis – and looming global catastrophe to understand that this very simple biblical principle is one that God has been trying to teach us all along. It can save your life and is also the will of God.
“But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then he will sit on the throne of his glory. Before him all the nations will be gathered, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. -Matthew 25: 31
What I coined years ago as “The Law of Separation” is something that many of us wait to experience by force in this life. So let me assure you that COVID19 did not invent this concept or its application, but it rather, and instead, came directly from God. From Genesis to Revelation the principle of separation is absolutely “thematic” throughout all of Scripture and biblical history.
“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,” 1 Corinthians 6: 17
What we see happening in our current environment with forced isolation, social withdrawal, and dissonance from our many “creature comforts” -those familiar people, places and things – cannot compare to what we will see happen in the End.
Know without any uncertainty that we can either let go of all that “separates us from God” right here and right now or be GUARANTEED a permanent separation from Him at the time of Judgement. This is all just practice for that Great Day! COVID19 is as good a chance as any – if not a final one and once in a lifetime opportunity for some – to make that right choice while we still can.
THE DENIAL OF SELF. PERSONAL SACRIFICE. When we move into a “pattern of self-denial” and personal sacrifice we often find the “added clarity” and wisdom we need to make better and best decisions for our lives.
Increased awareness and spiritual and mental acuity is often the benefit and end result of all our pain and suffering. This occurs when “the will of the flesh” and all its selfish desires are DENIED, taken away – or even just held back temporarily. Understanding the separation “of the soul from the spirit” is a very critical function in the life of man. Ultimately, this all becomes just another opportunity – A CHANCE – to take the Way of escape now from a world that is surely perishing – and fast. JESUS Christ gives us that pattern of “obedience unto death,” which is our model for how to do that. His Holy Spirit then empowers us to fulfill our service to Him here in our earthly station. He has prepared our way out – even before we can get out of this life!
Then Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.
So then “Covid19” is no novelty or “special phenomenon” in this spiritual regard. We know that God uses all things to accomplish His will and Divine purposes.
As people of faith, we know that the mark of “self-sacrifice” and a pattern of denying our will is not only the mark of a true Believer but of an END TIME believer.
“For he that endures, i.e. “perseveres” to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24: 13) Make no mistake this is a race of faith.
For many, as is the case with COVID19, denial and sacrifice may have come forcibly – but there can still be real and even permanent benefits if we learn how to humble ourselves, submit to His Word and Spirit of Truth. To just yield… and then surrender.
Some call it a “purging of the soul” others an involuntary abstention, but whatever your description just know that God can and wants to use all this adversity, even calamity, to bless and deliver His people. To deliver us unto His Righteousness, Eternal Salvation and security.
Coming up next… “Relationships in the End-time. What and when to let go.” (Pt 2 of Do’s & Dont’s in a “Crisis/Opportunity”)
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