The Encourager
“Not in Our Lifetime”
Not in Our Lifetime
by Jeff Curtis
We facing uncertain times in our country and the world. The Coronavirus, Covid-19, has us as both Americans and as Christians thinking about several different things.
I want to urge caution in how we interact with others. The government, both local and national, has issued guidelines for us to follow. These are unprecedented. The country hasn’t faced anything like this since the Spanish Flu in the early 1900’s.
The Spanish flu (also known as the 1918 flu pandemic) was an unusually deadly influenza pandemic. Lasting from January 1918 to December 1920, it infected 500 million people—about a quarter of the world's population at the time. The death toll is estimated to have been anywhere from 17 million to 50 million, and possibly as high as 100 million, making it one of the deadliest pandemics in human history (Wikipedia).
The current pandemic has a government mandate, no one is to gather in groups larger than ten. This has caused mixed reactions among people, especially Christians.
I have read and listened to brethren, preachers and others discussing and debating the subject of assembling. Several Christians are citing Hebrews 10:25, which says; “…not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” I understand the passage to be speaking about those who were, at that time, not assembling with the saints because of political persecution. These Christians were threatened with death, if they continued to worship. This pandemic and the mandate from our government is not threat of death because we are worshipping.
This mandate is a strong urging from our President, Governor and others in political office, asking us to not assemble, so as to not make our members sick. Sick with a potentially deadly virus.
The same brethren that are advocating the “assembly” are the same brethren, I assume love the members of God’s house. After all, the same Hebrew writer that us not to forsake the assembly, also tells us to “Let brotherly love continue,” “…since you yourselves are in the body also” (Heb. 13:1).
I get the command to assemble, I do. Yet, if I have the flu or some other contagion, am I rebuked for missing the assembly? Or do we praise the individual for using good judgment, so as to not make some else sick?
I fully believe in NOT forsaking the assembling of ourselves together. I really felt odd Sunday not assembling together with the saints. But this mandate is not a persecution.
Those in authority have a difficult job. I’m not speaking of the civil government. I am speaking instead of elders or when no elders, men making the decision to not assemble. When the decision, this or any other, is made, some people will not be happy. But we are subject to their judgments. After all, we selected these men to serve as our spiritual leaders.
Paul wrote to the young preacher Timothy in 1Timothy 5:17; “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” They are the spiritual leaders in the church. They rule to help guide, feed, shelter or protect the flock. We are to submit to this rule.
The Hebrew writer also says in chapter 13:17; “Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.” They have a job that is already difficult, why should try to make it harder.
If we can just show brotherly love toward one another at this time, it will be something we can overcome. Let’s be patient. Let’s continue to love the Lord. Continue to read His Word. Continue to pray. Continue to check on those who made need us during this crisis. If we can all stay calm and be patient, we will overcome this.
Remember:
Check on the shut ins. Check on each other. Just a phone call can make a world of difference. You have plenty of time right to call and talk.
Remember to keep a check on the website. (churchateastside.com)
Remember you can mail your contribution to the Post Office box. Eastside church of Christ P.O. Box 2753 Shelbyville TN 37162
