COVID-19 has and will change this generation in profound ways. As we consider the long-term implications of this pandemic — from school closures to social distancing — here are seven biblical passages with Gospel-centered principles to guide our attitudes, words, and actions.
1. Be Light in the Darkness
…let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
In how we act during this pandemic, are we being a light together to a dark world? When others see us who follow Jesus, will they glorify God?
2. Rest in Jesus
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
With all the angst during this crisis, are we approaching Jesus as our source of rest? Are we bringing others to Jesus who are heavy laden to have rest for their souls?
3. Deny Ourselves
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 16:24-25)
Following Jesus involves denying ourselves. How do we lay down our lives for the sake of Christ during a time when most people are worried about their own welfare?
4. Look Up
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:2-3)
At a time when many people are worried about things on earth, are our minds on our risen Savior? How does our mindset on things above impact our attitudes?
5. Consider How Our Actions Affect Others
.…take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. (1 Corinthians 8:9)
A great deal of discussion has been about our rights and liberties. But even if we are free to act, do we consider how exercising of freedom affects others? How are our attitudes and actions received by the greater community?
6. Care for Those in Need
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God, the Father, is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (James 1:27)
In our expressions of faith during this pandemic, are we caring for the neediest? Are our words and actions unstained by the ways of the world?
7. Hope in What is to Come
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7)
In a time when many of us are being tested by trials, let’s endure with our genuine faith as we long for Jesus’ return. Our hope is in the next age, not this one.
Brothers and sisters, we have a message of hope for a desperate world. While we do not conform to world’s ways, let us consider how our attitudes and actions bring others closer to following Jesus. As we long for Jesus’ return, let’s endure in loving obedience to the King of kings.