1 Peter 2:13-15 (AMP)
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God. Therefore whoever resists [governmental] authority resists the ordinance of God. And those who have resisted it will bring judgment (civil penalty) on themselves. For [civil] authorities are not a source of fear for [people of] good behavior, but for [those who do] evil. Do you want to be unafraid of authority? Do what is good and you will receive approval and commendation. For he is God’s servant to you for good. But if you do wrong, [you should] be afraid; for he does not carry the [executioner’s] sword for nothing. He is God’s servant, an avenger who brings punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be subject [to civil authorities], not only to escape the punishment [that comes with wrongdoing], but also as a matter of principle [knowing what is right before God]. For this same reason you pay taxes, for civil authorities are God’s servants, devoting themselves to governance. Pay to all what is due: tax to whom tax is due, customs to whom customs, respect to whom respect, honor to whom honor.
Romans 13:1-7 (AMP)
Submit yourselves to [the authority of] every human institution for the sake of the Lord [to honor His name], whether it is to a king as one in a position of power, or to governors as sent by him to bring punishment to those who do wrong, and to praise and encourage those who do right. 1For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the [culpable] ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people.
Some in the religious world are disobeying the government order to not assemble in numbers above 10. They cite their faith as the reason why. As Christians, we must use wisdom and rightly divide God’s word in these confusing times in order to do what is right.
Christians, who no doubt love the Lord Jesus and want to go to church to worship him, see in the scripture in Hebrews 10:25 “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together” and contemplate whether they should obey the Word of God concerning obeying government or obey the rule of God’s Word commanding them to assemble together. What should the Christian do when two scriptural positions seem to be in dispute with one another? First of all, we must understand the context and the situation have a lot to do with the way we proceed. Since the government is God’s agent for our good, it would be wise to discern if He is using it to help Humanity. Can we see where the government is protecting the community? It is always God’s will to protect Humanity. Does obeying the government adversely affect our faith? We are being asked not to assemble for a while (not forever) until this danger of Coronavirus is safely navigated.
As Christians, we are obligated to manifest the greater good and God’s Word says in Romans 13:10 “love worketh no ill to his neighbor therefore love is the fulfilling of the law”. How would you feel if you gave someone the Coronavirus by fellowshipping in Church? Terrible! We would feel awful, yet some would argue that God will protect us in His house. While it is true that God’s house offers protection, we should never, ever willingly tempt the healing power of God or put ourselves in harm’s way just because we know God can heal us. Jesus, in Matthew 4, was tempted by the devil to put himself in harm’s way. Because He knew that you should never tempt the Lord God by asking Him to heal you when you place yourself in a position of compromise to be sick, He rebuked the devil.
As Christians, let us not bring a reproach to the cause of Christ. Let’s comply and trust that our God is using our government just like His word declares He will. This trouble will pass and we will rejoice together again in God’s House. Until then, let us have sweet fellowship with The Father, The Lord Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. “FOR THOUGH I BE ABSENT IN THE FLESH, YET AM I WITH YOU IN THE SPIRIT, JOYING AND BEHOLDING YOUR ORDER, AND THE STEADFASTNESS OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST.” (Colossians 2:5)
Be Encouraged!