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by Bill Perkins
Satan used the fear of death via the coronavirus to scare the world into doing things they probably wouldn't do under normal circumstances. When the virus first started, none of us knew how dangerous it might be.
But once we started seeing actual data, and realizing the enormous cost of the quarantine, things should have changed. But they kept the fear coming, and Christians should have known better.
The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? Psalms 27:1
For many of us, there was a real threat to people we love—those who are elderly or already compromised, and we pray for those families who have had to deal with those very real concerns.
And ironically, the fearmongers made that situation even worse by forcing many to face illness and fear alone in isolation, without their family members present. That pain is real and tragic.
But for us as individual Believers, the fear of dying should not be embraced. When Believers die, we win. We shed this earthly shell and receive a new container fashioned just like Jesus' new post-cross body.
[Jesus Christ] will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory...Phil. 3:21
Can you fathom being illuminated in the light of Christ forever? No more sin, pain or evil drawing us away from good. Death is definitely an upgrade for Believers—something to look forward to, not fear!
...the day of one’s death is better than the day of one’s birth. Eccl. 7:1
Our days were numbered before we were born. God tells us this so we can live boldly knowing our lifespan is up to Him, not us, and not others.
Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, when as yet there was not one of them. Psalms. 139:16
By worrying we can't add any time to our lifetime on earth.
“And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life?" Matt. 6:27
We should live like we trust our God and what He's done for us. We know where we're going when we leave this earth. We don't even die, we just change places!
...I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord. 2Cor. 5:8
On the other hand, non-Believers DO worry about dying because they have no hope. Deep down they know they're sinners and when confronted with Biblical truth they're convicted.
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Heb. 4:12
That's why non-Christians get so upset just being around true Believers. When faced with God's truth, their true colors come out.
You are of your father the devil,... John 8:44
We have hope—they don't, so they're jealous. Jealously left unchecked leads to resentment. And resentment can easily turn to rage—which is what we're seeing. And it is all coming from Satan, not the people rioting... they have no clue.
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Eph. 6:12
May the Creator God of the Universe abundantly shower you with His wisdom during the days in which we live!
Shalom!
BP