As the official government response to the Covid-19 crisis prolongs and extends the scope of the limits to our freedoms, it seems sensible to think through some of the implications for us as a church, especially since we are prevented by law from meeting together as we are commanded to do and as we love to do (Heb 10:24-25).
It is a Christian duty to be good citizens. The Lord Jesus taught that we must be obedient to governing authorities and give them what is their due (Mt 22:21). The Apostle Paul echoed this teaching, noting that, “whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed” and that we obey “not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience” (Ro 13:1-7). Paul
elsewhere urged that we pray “for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way” (1 Tim 2:1-4), just as Jeremiah had previously instructed Jews in exile in Babylon to, “seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare” (Jer 29:7).
These concerns were important to the earliest Christians, as they were outsiders in society. The Apostle Peter addressed his readers as “exiles” (1 Pe 1:1), and “sojourners” or resident-aliens (1Pe 2:11), people living in someone else’s country with no rights of citizenship. Peter continued, that since that was their status, it imposed a special obligation on Christians in regard to their
behaviour. He wrote: “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor” (1 Peter 2:12-17).
Clearly, living as good citizens is an important characteristic of the lives of followers of the Lord Jesus. Christians must always seek to “adorn the doctrine of God our Savior” (Titus 2:10). Adorn means to cause something to have an attractive appearance. The Greek word Paul uses is the one from which our English word ‘cosmetics’ derives. Our goal as Christians should be to make what we believe look beautiful to others by how we behave and avoid ever giving anyone cause to blaspheme the name of God (Ro 2:24, cf Is 52:5).
There is, however, a place for Christian civil disobedience. When Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were commanded with the rest of Babylon to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image, they refused, preferring being cast into the fiery furnace to serving the king’s gods or worshipping the image (Dan 3). Likewise, Daniel, when he was banned from praying to the living God by King Darius, refused to obey and suffered the punishment of the lions’ den (Dan 6). Then in the NT Peter and John, having been told previously to cease preaching in Jesus’ name (Acts 4:18-22), continued and were brought again to the authorities where they defended their actions.
A clear principle emerges from these examples. When faced with a choice between obeying human authorities and thereby disobeying God, a Christian, must, as Peter said, “obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). A well-known American church has recently used this verse to justify its decision to return to public gatherings in defiance of state law. We have decided current circumstances do not warrant such an approach.
Acts 5:41 records that Peter and the other apostles rejoiced that they were “counted worthy to suffer dishonour for the sake of the name [of Jesus]”. The order they were given by the authorities and the punishment they received were because they were Christians. The situation confronting us at present is different. It is required of us that we comply with an order binding on all fellow citizens who are also being asked to forego normally legal activities such as eating out or going to the football. Christians are not being singled out “for the sake of the name” and so in the interests of adorning our doctrine, loving our neighbour (Mt 22:39), doing all we can to live at peace with those around us (Ro 12:18) and giving “no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God” (1 Cor 10:32), we feel the appropriate Christian response is to continue to be obedient to those in government who are “God’s servants for [our] good” (Ro 13:4).
Given that none of us can know just how long these restrictions will be in place there are certain things we need to do. We must take positive measures to compensate for our inability to meet together. That is why we will continue to provide an order of service with Bible readings, links to internet recordings of suitable songs, suggestions for prayer and videos of Bible teaching each week. If you have suggestions for how our delivery of this content could be improved or if you have ideas of other things we could include, please make contact with one of the elders. Since a vital part of our gatherings is being together for the purpose of encouraging each other (eg Eph 4:29; Heb 10:25), we need to seek out alternative means of doing this. A number of us gather at
11:00AM each Sunday via Zoom for this purpose. Connect Groups are functioning by Zoom as well. If you are not a member of a Connect Group, why not think about joining one? They offer shared engagement with God’s word, are good fun and provide avenues to give and receive encouragement as well as making needs known so prayer and other support can be given. While physically meeting with people outside your immediate family is impossible, please stay in contact with others by phone. We are told we must “bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal 6:2). Please be vigilant regarding the needs of others. If you have a need, please bring it to the attention of the elders or someone in the church. Please don’t suffer alone or in silence.
Above all, do not become disheartened. Paul wrote that his experiences of severe hardship had a purpose, to teach him to rely not on himself, but on God who raises the dead (2 Cor 1:9). These are times unlike any we have lived through before and they might, therefore be making some of us anxious. It’s at times like these that we need to be finding strength in God by reading and
taking to heart his word and relying on him in prayer. We need to do these things all the time whether life is smooth or rough, but if you have neglected these essential disciplines, now is a great time to recommit yourself to them. Make the psalms your friends and pray them back to God. Tell God what you are trusting him for. Read John and thank God for Jesus, “the word become flesh” (Jn 1:1). Read Romans and be reminded of the amazing grace of God that results in us being free from condemnation and unable to be separated from his love (Ro 8:1, 39). Heed Paul’s command “Rejoice in hope, be patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Ro 12:12). Find hope in the encouragement of the Scriptures (Ro 15:4), remembering that our redemption is drawing near (Lk 21:28), our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed (Ro 13:11).