Now that lockdown restrictions are easing, church services are resuming across the country. Yet we are aware that those over 70, or those with existing health conditions are advised to stay away from large gatherings for now. So we are continuing to offer church on-line for these people (after 2pm of a Sunday). The question the rest of us need to ask is, do I go to the physical church service, or continue to do church from the comfort of my living room? Many of us have become accustomed to doing church in our pyjamas, with a nice cup of coffee.
The question I want to ask is, do you think God allowed the COVID-19 pandemic to occur in order to encourage Christians to stop meeting together? Whenever God wants to bless his people, he gathers them together around Him. We see this in Eden, Mt. Sinai, the Jerusalem Temple, and the church. The Greek word for church (ecclesia) literally means ‘gathering’. When God wants to curse people, he scatters them; e.g. expulsion from Eden, the tower of Babel, the Exile. So is this God cursing the church?
The Bible tells us God certainly does send plagues to curse and punish people. Yet without direct revelation, we have no idea if THIS is His intension with COVID-19. What we DO know is that for Christians, our punishment has been paid in full at the cross. So this pandemic is CANNOT be God punishing his church. As such, Heb 10:25 still very much applies to Earlwood Anglican; ‘let us not give up meeting together’.
When we gather together as a church, we honour God by showing He is truly worthy of our time and corporate worship of a Sunday. Yet we also bless our Christian brothers and sisters through words of encouragement, or just our presence. Yet finally, we bless ourselves, as church is the spiritual boost we need to get through the week. So unless you have a good reason to stay away from church, we hope to see you back there soon.
