As I opened today’s devotional, I was struck that the message before me was both timely and timeless. With CoVid-19 rampant across the globe, I was struck by the relativity of a study on sanctification. This article will explore the similarities between social-distancing & sanctification.
Sanctification
In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul wrote, “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Christ with Belial? Or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16, NASB[1]). Paul then cited several Old Testament passages solidifying his point.
As Christians, we are called to separate ourselves from the world, or in other words, practice a form of social-distancing. Jesus made it clear in his teaching that He, and therefore we, do not belong to the world. The world belongs to Satan, who is called “the god of this world” (1 John 5:19). But believers have been called out of the world, and adopted into the family of God as his children (Gal 4:4-5). As such, we are also called to be separate, or sanctified. We are not to be conformed to the ideologies, behaviors, and priorities of the world; but rather be transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. This is accomplished through God, prayer, and by our adhering to the precepts set by God through Scripture (Rom 12:2). We are to be IN the world, not OF the world. We are to hold to the standards God has set forth. Yet, at the same time, love is the dominate motivator. We are to love all people. We may not agree with all they believe and do, but we love the person made in God’s image.
Social-Distancing
As Covid19 continues to speed across the globe, I cannot help but notice the parallels between the physical and spiritual realms. Covid19 is a harmful contagion and in order to protect ourselves and escape its damaging effects, we have been called to separate ourselves. We have been asked by experts to observe strict social-distancing guidelines, protocols and practices that have been set in place in the best interest of mankind. And as is true regarding spiritual things, the same is true in the physical. Some will adhere to the guidelines, but some will reject them. Those who reject them may then come in contact and/or contract the virus, allowing it to continue to spread.
However, although we are largely in a state of separation, the love and kindness between people seems more visible. While we isolate to control the spread of the virus, we have seen extreme kindness demonstrated to others. We have compassion for those affected and desire to see them healed. Many have gone to extraordinary measures to provide some form of relief for those in need during this difficult time. Compassion and brotherly love have peaked in the face of danger.
Hope
So, in spite of today’s difficulties, the trials and tribulations of our current circumstances, I see and feel… HOPE. I see a physical demonstration of the spiritual truth Jesus taught. I am encouraged as a child of God to do in ordinary circumstances what I see done in this extraordinary circumstance. I am encourage to press on, run the race and fight the good fight. I am encouraged to minister to the lost, reach out to the hurting, and kingdom build for our Lord. I am inspired to love more. I am moved to a deeper sense of compassion for the unredeemed. So, let us all press forward. Let us be the church, a light in the dark world. Let us be in the world, yet not of it. Let us be what we are called to be.
Corona Virus World Map https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html
[1] Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible.