No, this is not the order of the government.

This is not a call for social distancing, and in order to stop the spread of a virus.

This is the Word of the Lord (2 Corinthians 6:17, quoting Isaiah 52:11).

This is God’s call to His own to be separate from sin and sinners, from unbelievers, from idolaters, the lawless, and other sons of Belial (2 Corinthians 6: 14-18).

Ever since the Fall of Adam and the race into sin. History-long God calls His own out of the sinful race to Himself and to be as distant from, and as opposed to sin as He is.

Therefore, though heeding the present call in our society to quarantine, to self-isolate our bodies, our families is inconvenient and somewhat stressful to all of us, this whole “distancing thing” should be rather second nature to us.

For already by grace we are born again and Spirit empowered to do the hard thing—keep from sin.

It should not be that much of a challenge to us to keep six feet away from one another in the park, to forego going out to eat, to cancel our cruise ship plans, and to avoid New York City.

Not that we are monks. They are used to (perverse) self-isolation. But we are given of God to deny ourselves in being our new self, to love not the world while still in the world…

And such separation is one of body and of soul.

Mortification of the flesh. Crucifixion of the old man. Abhorrence of our (sinful) selves. Distancing ourselves from every evil thoughts. Fleeing youthful lusts. Saying no to those who would be our Friday happy hour companions for evil. Resisting internet distractions and temptations.

This is what we are all about. Night and day. Twenty four seven. First century. Twenty-first century.

In all the (forced) isolation let us keep on keeping a divine distance from sin.

God’s orders. The love of Christ constraining us. His glory, as His holy children, our joy.

For such a time as this.

With you in Him, confiding in the Savior and His truth and love,