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during this crisis,
Christ followers should be the greatest problem solvers the world has ever seen
- the greater the challenge, the greater the opportunity for solutions so that
God can be glorified among the nations - may the Lord be glorified during these
days and may this present purging be followed by supernatural power and another
global Great Awakening
Joseph
Mattera
The present
coronavirus pandemic will demonstrate how the Kingdom of God is different from
the kingdom of darkness.
It is also a huge
opportunity for the church to function as the Salt and Light of the world.
The reason is because
the Kingdom of the heavens is governed by a different set of laws and
principles than those under the rule of the prince of this world (see John 14:30, 1
John 5:19).
The following are ten
contrasts that should illustrate contrasts between true Christ followers and
unbelievers conforming to the world system:
1. Instead
of hoarding goods we are generous with others
While Christians should save money and food
to provide for their immediate family, our mindset should be to also have
enough to provide for our community.
Many great leaders I know in the Body of
Christ are always champions during times of crisis and utilize their church buildings
and vast resources to provide food, medical care, and much needed intervention
for their communities and cities.
2. We
don’t depend upon the world’s resources but His Word to survive and thrive
Jesus made it clear
that the intent of Father God is that “man shall not live on bread alone but
by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God” (see Matthew 4:4).
During the volatility
of a global crisis, people of faith have learned to depend upon the tried and
true words of the Lord more than on human government.
Psalm 91:4 says, “His
truth will be thy shield and buckler”, which means that it is His fidelity
that is our assurance of security!
3. Instead
of getting sick when we touch others, we can heal them with our touch
While every Christian
should practice social distancing out of love and respect for our neighbor,
this should never nullify the fact that all believers are commanded to lay
hands on the sick in faith that they will recover! (See Mark 16:15-17.)
Hence, we should not
shrink back from opportunities God brings to us to pray for those who are sick
and fearful during these times.
This makes no sense
to the unbeliever and to the ignorant Christian, but in the laws of the Kingdom
our touch can represent Jesus (1 John 4:17) and release His healing power to others.
Through the laws of
the Kingdom — by faith, typical plagues should not have power to stop anyone on
assignment from the Lord (see
Psalm 91:6).
Even Paul the apostle
casually shook off a viper that attached itself to him — and instead of falling
down dead — a healing revival took place that shook Malta and planted
Christianity there! (See
Acts 28.)
During the bubonic
plague in the early 20th century, Evangelist John G. Lake had the faith to
continue to lay hands on the sick because he said “the law of the Spirit of
life in Christ Jesus has set me free from the law of sin and death” (see Romans 8:2).
4.
Instead of giving into fear we exercise our faith
Because Jesus already
conquered sin and death and brought life and immortality to light through the
Gospel (see
2 Timothy 2:10)
He commands us to fear not because He holds the keys of death and hades (see Revelation
1:17-19).
Jesus also said to
fear not Him that can only kill the body (see Matthew 10:28).
While those whose
only hope is in their money and in this life are afraid during a crisis, we are
not to fear what the world fears (see Jeremiah 10:1, 2).
Christ followers have
discovered that His perfect love casts out all fear because fear has torment
and those born from above will never taste eternal separation from God (see 1 John 4:18).
5. Instead
of running from the plague we intercede in the midst of it
Like Moses and Aaron
of old, Christ followers should stand between the living and the dead and make
intercession during a plague (Numbers 16:48).
When the Roman Empire
collapsed in the 5th century, the rich Roman citizens fled from the barbarian
hordes and the church stayed behind while the bishops began to help
administrate the cities.
Jesus modeled the
laws of the Kingdom and said that the greatest demonstration of love is when we
are willing to lay down our life for one another (see John 15:13).
6. Instead
of walking in the “orphan spirit” of survival mode, we trust in the provision
of our Heavenly Father
While the world is on
“survival mode” because they are estranged from God, Christ followers are
assured of His ample provision during a crisis (see John 10:10).
Jesus told the church
we can petition our heavenly “Father” for our daily bread (see Matthew 6:6-9).
Jesus said that even
evil people provide for their children — so how much more shall our Heavenly
Father give good gifts to His children (see Matthew 7:9-11).
David said that
because the Lord is His shepherd, he shall lack nothing (see Psalm 23:1).
Jesus said that He
would not leave us as orphans (John 14:18) but will be with us even until the end of
the age (see
Matthew 28:19, 20).
Because of our
covenant relationship with God as Father, we do not trust in the arm of flesh
but in God for all things during a time of famine (see Jeremiah 17:5-8).
7. Instead
of feasting and playing we are fasting and praying
During a national
crisis the prophet Joel proclaimed a solemn assembly for the land (see Joel chapters 1,
2).
While the world is
medicating themselves for hours every day getting inebriated, consuming
Netflix, porn, and other forms of entertainment, mature Christ followers should
be banding together seeking the Lord earnestly during a crisis.
Jesus warned His
followers to watch and pray lest their hearts be weighed down with carousing,
drunkenness, and the anxieties of life and that day will close on you suddenly
like a trap (see
Luke 21:34).
8. Instead
of criticizing our elected officials we pray for them
It is so easy for a
person not in the “driver’s seat” of leadership to criticize their executive
leaders in church and state.
Every day on
mainstream news there are rabid criticisms between those on the left and right
of the political spectrum.
In contrast, true
Christ followers should be lifting up their elected officials and community
leaders in prayer during times of crisis (see 1 Timothy 2:1-4).
9. Instead
of being preoccupied by the fear of physical death we focus on dying to self
While the world is so
preoccupied with preserving their life, true Christ followers know that they
have already died and their life is presently hidden with Christ in God (see Colossians
3:1-3).
Since we have already
been crucified with Christ (see Romans 6:1-6), we die daily (see 1 Corinthians 15:31) and live for another
— even for the One who died and rose again (see 2 Corinthians 5:15).
We should be living
in this world as “dead people on furlough”!
Hence, since Christ
followers have “already died” they cannot be killed twice, which wrests
away all fear of physical death!
This is why Paul said
that departing this world and being with Christ is far better than staying in
this realm (see
Philippians 1:23).
Consequently, this is
a huge opportunity for Christ followers to share their faith with everyone they
perceive is being tortured with a fear of death.
10. Instead
of focusing our energy on the crisis we creatively look for divine solutions
Isaiah 60:1, 2 speaks
of the people of God arising and shining during times when darkness covers the
earth!
This is one of those
times! While the world is petrified, paralyzed, and fraught with fear during
these days — the believer should understand the times (see 1 Chronicles
12:32)
and know how to regularly function in the Spiritual manifestation of the word
of wisdom (see
1 Corinthians 12:8).
Since the church is
organically connected to the “Mastermind” of the universe as our head (Ephesians 1:22, 23), we are to function
as His fullness and with His wisdom since we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16).
Hence, during this or
any crisis, Christ followers should be the greatest problem solvers the world
has ever seen!
Consequently, the
greater the challenge, the greater the opportunity for solutions so that God
can be glorified among the nations (Matthew 5:16).
May the Lord be
glorified during these days and may this present purging be followed by
supernatural power and another global Great Awakening!
Purchase
Joseph Mattera’s latest book, “The Jesus Principles”, available now on Amazon
here.
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Dr.
Joseph Mattera is an internationally-known author, consultant, and
theologian whose mission is to influence leaders who influence culture. He is
the founding pastor of Resurrection Church, and leads several organizations,
including The U.S. Coalition of Apostolic Leaders and Christ Covenant
Coalition. Dr. Mattera is the author of 12 bestselling books, including his
latest “The Jesus Principles,” and is renown for applying Scripture to
contemporary culture. To order his books or to join the many thousands who
subscribe to his newsletter go to www.josephmattera.org.
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