Below are just a few of the current news headlines where Churches are being targeted by the US Government amid the Coronavirus/COVID-19 "pandemic":
"Mississippi church sues police after congregants ticketed during drive-in service"
"Police to record license plates of churchgoers Easter weekend"
"Nails, screws and carpenter tacks were found in various spots of the Maryville Baptist Church parking lot on Easter morning."
"Going To Church Becomes A Crime In The Age Of COVID-19"
"Arrest pastors who hold services in a pandemic and padlock their church doors."
"Yes, the government can force churches to close. Here’s why"
"Coronavirus: Louisiana pastor who ignored social distancing charged by authorities"
"Pastor: It's not fair 'wicked liquor stores' can stay open, churches encouraged to close"
"Holcomb directs Indiana church buildings, places of worship to close ahead of Easter"
Listen folks, these headlines should not be a surprise to any Bible believing Christian. We are warned numerous times throughout Scripture that the world hates us and will persecute us. I for one find it encouraging that there are still Christians in this world today who are still being identified as Christians and Churches who are still standing on the Word of God. If it ever gets to a point to where the Church is not being persecuted against that’s when we are in REAL trouble.
I am NOT saying that as Christians and U.S. Citizens we should just lay down and allow the government to walk right over us and strip us of all of our rights, that is not what this post is about or implying. In fact, I’m a strong conservative constitutionalist and fully believe we should exercise our rights to fight against any tyrannical government that is trying to infringe upon our rights as citizens. But this post is about persecution of the Church.
All throughout history it has been proven time and time again, whenever the Church comes under attack, the Church gets motivated and grows even stronger. The 1st Century Church remained in Jerusalem until Saul of Tarsus came on the scene “breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the Lord” and it all started because of a preaching deacon that was persecuted for being a follower of Christ. The next thing you know, the Gospel was being preached throughout all the world.
During this Coronavirus (COVID-19) “pandemic,” I have witnessed more sharing of the Gospel online (where most people spend their time these days) than any time in history. Even older preachers who once looked at computers and Facebook like a mule staring at a new gate, are learning new methods for propagating the Gospel. They may have their camera pointed sideways or forget to turn it off and share their Sunday dinner with the world by accident, but they are putting their best foot forward and making an effort in a technological world that once was foreign to them.
So, stop whining and getting your feelings hurt over the government targeting Churches. Just place your faith in Christ and praise God for the truths of His Word. I leave you with a few verses from the Bible that should be on the minds and lips of all Christians right now:
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
1 John 3:13 Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you.
John 15:18-19 If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. 19 If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. 12 Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
Matthew 10:22-25 And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. 23 But when they persecute you in this city, flee ye into another: for verily I say unto you, Ye shall not have gone over the cities of Israel, till the Son of man be come. 24 The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as his lord. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more shall they call them of his household?
Luke 6:22-23 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man's sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets.
1 Peter 4:12-19 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
I hope this has been a reminder and an encouragement to my fellow laborers in the ministry and to all those that love the Lord.
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