Christian Response to Covid-19 Restrictions

It saddens me to write that I am absolutely disgusted by the response of professing Christians towards their governments concerning Covid 19 restrictions, especially in North America. US states have banned meetings of crowds of ten or more persons. Why? To save lives. Yet, selfcentered, conspiracy theorist idiots see this as the government wanting to make it a crime to go to Church. Rather than obey Scripture, as any mature Christian must do, they choose to quote their 1st Amendment rights. They choose the words of the world over the Word of God!

Frankly, if going to a building with more than ten people is necessary for you to maintain your Christianity, you need some REAL Christianity! Imagine how the 'faith' of such would survive if they were imprisoned under real persecution and had to survive without a Bible, internet or fellowship with other Christians. Professing Christians raging about their governments actions to save vulnerable people, whilst in other countries Christians are being slaughtered for their faith, just proves the incredible immaturity of so many 'Christians' in Western countries.

Romans 13:1-5 tells us:

Everyone must submit to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities which exist have been established by God. Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment, but also because of conscience.

At the time of writing this command Claudius was the Roman Emperor, a pagan who had just ordered all Jews to leave Rome. The Traditional Jews were stirring up trouble against the preaching of the gospel and Claudius wanted peace. Like the American government, Claudius was not forbidding worship, just dissent. The passage above has no 'exception clause', however, later, when preaching was forbidden in the Empire under various emperors, early Church disciples continued to spread the gospel.

Rodney Howard-Browne, a man many discerning Christians consider to be a false prophet and deceiver, believes he is above God's Word. Some weeks ago he claimed Covid 19 was a 'hoax'. He then spent $100,000 installing 'machines' in his building to stop this 'hoax' from infecting people. After claiming his healing powers (and relying on the machines) and telling his gullible followers to defy the government, he was warned by the local authorities. His reply was to send out buses to collect his compulsory tithe givers, and order this 500 fools to hug, kiss etc.

Howard-Browne has not only chosen to rebel against God, as the text above adamantly states, but led his Charismatic Cult followers to do the same. Rebellion against God is at the very heart and principle of sin, Lucifer's sin, Adam and Eve's sin, and every human since. Those who deliberately choose to rebel do not know Christ, and those in leadership that promote rebellion are false prophets, wolves in sheep's clothing. Howard-Browne has a TV channel, internet resources etc, but this egomaniac craves worship of himself so much, and the money of gullible fools, that he defies the government to get his name broadcast around the world, appearing as a martyr and man of faith. Anathema!

Under Roman law, a non Roman citizen could be forced to carry a Roman's goods for a mile. Jesus told us to carry it an extra mile, not to rebel. Christ's command is to love the Lord and our neighbor. That love is manifested in actions of love and care (1st John 3and 4), not in putting people's lives at risk. Of all people, Christians should be model citizens, and the only time we should disobey the government, is when we are forbidden to share our faith or ordered to break the clear commandments of God.

Author: Steve Copland