I have read many comments and accounts of … heard numerous people insist that … we should NOT LIVE IN FEAR AND TRUST GOD with regards to COVID. This is followed by them insisting that wearing a mask is “restricting their rights” and that getting the vaccine is “succumbing to the beast” …
I could go into depth regarding the NEED and BENEFIFTS of wearing masks, social distancing, washing of hands (seriously, this is still an issue after centuries), and being vaccinated … however, I won’t.
I am going to address the “Testing of GOD” part.
The people following Moses in along gives us several scriptures regarding the people ‘testing GOD’ in one way or another. (Exodus 15:25; 17:1-7; Numbers 14:22; Deuteronomy 6:16; 9:22) The Book of Psalms references numerous occasions as well (78:18,41,56; 95:8-9; 106:14).
God repeatedly reminded the people to NOT TEST HIM. Yet, they continued to do so. They wailed and whined and complained about what they were having to endure. They wanted GOD to “take care of it” … remove the problem or provide a relief … The New Testament … the time OF and AFTER Jesus walked this earth, there are still more accounts of the people TESTING GOD.
There was that one time when GOD said he would flood the earth. GOD provided a way to survive. Noah told people what was going to happen. The people mocked Noah for his ridiculous notions and foolishness for building a boat in the desert. They refused to believe that getting on that boat would save their lives.
I wonder how many people who refuse to wear a mask, refuse to take proper precautions, refuse to get the vaccine, refuse to think of others … I wonder how many of these people have taken a pain reliever, an allergy med, used cough syrup, been to a medical professional for any reason …
When is the last time you read Romans 14? Been a while? Take time to read it. (Scroll down to read it here if you do not have a Bible handy.)
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Okay, now that you have read it … Did you notice the emphasis on the danger of criticism?
“Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.” Romans 14:1 NLT
Right off the bat, boom. We have no right to condemn someone for their differing ways of honoring/worshiping The LORD. We live to honor the Lord, not ourselves. On Judgement Day, we will all be standing before God. We will be called to give an account of our own lives, NOT the lives of others.
“For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.” Romans 14:17-19 NLT
Sidewalk Prophets – Save My Life (Official Video)
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1 Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. 2 For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. 3 Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. 4 Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.
5 In the same way, some think one day is more holy than another day, while others think every day is alike. You should each be fully convinced that whichever day you choose is acceptable. 6 Those who worship the Lord on a special day do it to honor him. Those who eat any kind of food do so to honor the Lord, since they give thanks to God before eating. And those who refuse to eat certain foods also want to please the Lord and give thanks to God. 7 For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. 8 If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
10 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God. 11 For the Scriptures say,
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord,
‘every knee will bend to me,
and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”
12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. 13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
14 I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. 15 And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. 16 Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good. 17 For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. 19 So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
20 Don’t tear apart the work of God over what you eat. Remember, all foods are acceptable, but it is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble. 21 It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything else if it might cause another believer to stumble. 22 You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. 23 But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning. -Romans 14 NLT