Freedom in Christ

Dateline April 30: Welcome to day 45 or so of the quarantine - depending on where you live in the world. First it was 'let's flatten the curve'. Then it has become 'beware of the second wave!' Then it might be 'we can't be sure having had the virus grants you immunity...' Then it might be something else to worry about before we can get back to .normal'. Things may seem to be out of control. Life can become stressful for some of us.

So... Is God asleep in His virus-free realm, enjoying the good life and letting the earth run its troublesome course on 'automatic'. Is He even aware of our circumstances? Does He even care about what is going on down here? And if He did, is He able to do anything about it? Jesus left the following message on his answering machine.

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." (Matt. 10:29-31)

Maybe one of your loved ones is a 'sparrow that has fallen to the ground'. Maybe another loved one is the 2,954,439th person in the world to test positive for Covid-19. May I suggest that our loving Father is totally aware of your 'fallen sparrow', and that He knows that your loved one is the 2,954,439th person to be infected? He is in control and values each of us more than a common sparrow. Be of good courage.

Dateline April 24: Yesterday, we read about the qualities of little children that Jesus recommends we emulate. But the analogy is extended to even smaller children - infants, babies - humans that don't yet really know yet how to express themselves, but still can show affection, a desire for food and attachment and absolute dependence on an adult

Peter wrote: "Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow up into salvation, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." (1 Pet. 2:1-2)

Many of us have had children or grandchildren and can remember the intense desire of a hungry newborn baby to find the source of milk, whether from a bottle or its mother's breast, and then the baby's calm satisfaction and peace when feeding. Likewise the word of God can satisfy us and give us peace and hope. Jesus Himself said we should search the Scriptures, for in them we have eternal life because they testify of Him (John 5:39). Let us become more like newborns, hungering for and drinking in the pure milk of the word. Most likely, our perspective of things in this life will also change for the better.

Dateline April 19: In this era of the corona virus, those who are in various positions of authority (from mayors to the president) have issued executive orders that have significantly changed the way we live our daily lives more than any change of elected president has ever caused. At the stroke of a pen our lives can suddenly become complicated. For Christians, it has radically changed our style of communion, community, fellowship and worship. Some are worried that our rights and freedoms are being taken from us. But Paul had some words for us while he lived under the tyranny of Rome. You may consider how it applies to you personally today.

"Therefore I encourage first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Tim. 2:1-6)

We see that praying (and giving thanks!) for our leaders is of foremost importance and is considered good and acceptable in God's sight. But why do we pray? According to Paul it is (1) so we can lead a quiet, peaceable and godly life and (2) so that doors will be opened to lead all people to a knowledge of the truth and be saved. Let us so pray.