There is a terrible disease loose among us

There is a terrible disease loosed among us. It infects every single man, woman, and child on the face of the planet, and it is always terminal. It has claimed more lives than men could count, and its death toll is rising every second. Yet you will not hear of it on the news, nor find that the CDC or WHO even recognize it. The governments of the world are unconcerned, and the population oblivious. It is called sin. (Romans 3:23, 6:23)

There is only one cure, and only one keeper of the cure. (John 3:16, 14:6, 15:5, Matt 5:13-16, 28:16-20) The death of sin is eternal death, a never-ending agony of torment beyond human imagination. The life of the Christian is such that death becomes meaningless. (1 Corinthians 15:55-57) Thus, it is written that we ought not to fear what can destroy the body, which must be destroyed. Instead we should fear that which can destroy the body and soul in Hell. (Matthew 10:28) Men do much to save the body, and in vain do they try to stave off death (Luke 12:25-26) The Lord is sovereign in all things, nothing escapes His attention. (Matthew 10:29) It is God who appoints the span of life for each of us. (Job 14:5, Acts 17:24-26) He alone can prolong or shorten life. (Psalm 31:15, 68:20) This is demonstrated even in the lives of kings. (Isaiah 38:5, Daniel 5) The lives of nations are direct by the Lord of lords. (Psalm 2, Daniel 2, 4, 5, Revelation) Therefore, it is better that we place our trust in God, seeing how He has proven Himself in every way worthy of such trust even as this. (Luke 12:27-31, Romans 5:8, 1 John 4:10)

And how then shall we live? We ought to heed to the clear commands which are given and the examples set forth. (John 15:14) Firstly, while we are encouraged to cancel our gatherings, and perhaps even ordered by the powers of men, we ought to obey the commandment of the Higher Power which bids us to assemble regularly. (Hebrew 10:25-31) We ought to keep the word of God richly among us in preaching and teaching, and in fellowship, and in song. (2 Timothy 3:14-4;5, Ephesians 5:19-20, Colossians 3:16) We ought to observe the Lord’s supper regularly as commanded. (Luke 22:19-20, 1 Corinthians 11:23-26) And we ought to live in every way in a manner which glorifies God. (Colossians 3:17) This means we must live with a consistent theology. We should not be afraid, or panic in anything. (2 timothy 1:7) We should not be conformed to the wisdom of the world, for we are possessed of a greater wisdom. (Romans 12:2, 1 Corinthians 1:25, 3:19) God’s ways are better than our ways, though they defy our total comprehension. (Isaiah 55:8-9) We should therefore, keep always before us as our highest principle a fear of the Lord which is the right foundation of all wisdom and all true knowledge. (Proverbs 1:7) We ought to take heart that God is in control. (Isaiah 45:7) We should not be surprised by troubles, and should trust as Christ has overcome, we are secure in our salvation. (John 6:37-39, 10:28 16:33, Revelation 6:1-8, 19:11-22:21) We ought to pray for this is the best men can do against any crisis, or any form of evil, or in any circumstance, and we have confidence that our prayers are heard and will be answered according to God’s perfect will. (James 5:16, John 15:16, 1 Peter 5:7) In prayer we ought to find solace, and a supernatural peace. (Philippians 4:6-7) We ought to love one another. (Matthew 22:39, John 15:12-13) We must love God above all and seek first His Kingdom as result, which is a demonstration of the truth of our love for Him. (Matthew 22:37-38, 6:33) We must abide in Christ that he will abide in us, and if we do this one thing much fruit will be brought forth to His glory. (John 15:5)

These truths are unchanging as God is unchanging, and these commands are the same at all times as God is always and ever the same. (Numbers 23:19, Psalm 119:89, Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8, James 1: 17) His word will not fail now or ever to accomplish His purpose. (Isaiah 55:11) Let us be wise and build our house upon this solid rock, and forsake now and always the shifting sands of circumstance and perception which betray us into confusion and disorder, and all sorts of evils and folly, and into harm. (Matthew 7:24-29)

Beloved there is now news, whether it is true or false I do not know, of a plague which is ravaging the world. And we ought not to neglect these tidings, whether true or false it matters not, nor fail to take reasonable precautions. Wash your hands regularly and carefully. Avoid exposure which is not necessary. And many things are not truly necessary. But I urge you do not think church in any way unnecessary, let it be the very last thing you will surrender. For there is a disease greater than any disease of the flesh, and it must be treated. The service of the Lord’s house must not be neglected. We must prove our beliefs by our actions. We must give testimony, even and especially when doing so invites risk. Do not be deceived the decisions we make reflect on our faith and on our Lord. Whatever we do we issue statements, and set precedence. There is real and present danger here, and at all time, that if we choose poorly, we might lose much. We stand to lose not simply the things of this world, but greater things which are of eternal significance. We have also great opportunity before us now to display to the world that though we are in it, we are not of it. (John 17:14-20) If we faint not at this latest crisis good will come, if we can only stay the course there will come a good harvest. (Galatians 6:7-10)

May the God of all grace grant us wisdom and discernment to know His will and to do it. May His church uphold His glory in all things. May His people not grow weary in the race, nor be overcome in the contest, nor shrink from death whose power is broken by Christ. May the hosts of Heaven rejoice at the good and noble conduct of those who come after them, and may their encouragements and admonishments echo down from the ages to us as good help in our lives. Above all may our God and Father, and our lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit which dwells with us smile upon us as we serve faithfully their Kingdom. May the name of the Lord be great among the nations, and may the people of the Earth lift up their voices in praise of the true and living God. May His people act so to increase His glory. May grace and peace be with us all. And may there be mercy where we fail in any of this. In Christ name, Lord grant it. Amen.