What is going on right now is a foreshadow of what is to come, and a barometer of where we are as the body of Christ. How can believers of Christ and churches be hope and light to the world, if they are dominated by the same fears as the world around them, and controlled by governmental pressures? We say we have hope in Christ, and are not led by fear - but we stop having church service in person because of fear and pressure. What will happen when real pressure and persecution arises because of our faith in Christ? When the time comes when the government tells us we can no longer have service, or that our message will be monitored by video, and we will have to provide a transcript of what will be spoken beforehand, what will we do then? How can we say we have hope in Christ, and that we love others, if we are afraid to meet together and will not reach out in love to give a handshake or a hug to others, but instead keep a 3 foot distance? How is that showing love, and being set apart from the world? Our actions speak much much much louder than our words, and show what is really in our hearts and what we truly believe. We should be meeting more and more as more and more hard times come, not less and less; and we should be offering more and more actions of love; more hugs, handshakes, pats on the shoulder, as well as encouraging words - Love in action; not merely words over fb live. Are we led by what man, the CDC, or what WHO says - or are we led by the words of Christ, He Who created the heavens and earth, and has offered us salvation? If Jesus were here physically on the world today, would He be afraid to leave the house, to be closer than 3 feet to others - too paralyzed by fear to love and embrace others; and instead, have services by means of fb live, instead of actually live face to face, offering real messages of hope and life to others? We should be asking ourselves in these days and times, whether the words we are speaking are matching our actions, or are we simply being hypocritical, not willing to practice what we preach? The world is watching, and taking careful notes.
Hebrews 10:25
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.
Matthew 5:14-15
You are the light of the world-like a city on a hilltop that cannot be hidden. No one lights a lamp and then puts it under a basket. Instead, a lamp is placed on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.
1 John 3:18
Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
James 2:14
What good is it, dear brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but don't show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone?
Acts 5:29
But Peter and the apostles replied, "We must obey God rather than any human authority."
Matthew 24:9-10,12
Then you will be arrested, persecuted, and killed. You will be hated all over the world because you are my followers. And many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold.