Paul the Poke

Hebrews 2:14-16 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death He might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. For surely it is not angels that He helps, but He helps the offspring of Abraham.

This is a sober reality. Currently, Satan has the power of death. And Satan utilizes fear of death over us to the point of slavery.

So the other day… a great friend of mine and I were discussing the reality of the coronavirus, COVID-19. We all have different perspectives on how this has impacted us. We all have our points of view. His point was the spiritual impact. Humanity’s response to COVID-19 speaks to the current global spiritual condition of man.

Look at the response across Earth. It does not matter where people are located. We have all seen the pictures. The streets of major metropolitans around the globe are empty. Every one is shut in their place. From the point of origin in Wuhan China, to Italy, to Spain, to Australia, to New York City, to Los Angeles, to Brazil, to Moscow, to where ever…

COVID-19 is a simple reality. People are scared of death.

Millions of people in China are quarantined under a totalitarian government. Nations around the planet have closed their borders. We are much more sophisticated here in America. We are free. We are not quarantined. We are to “Stay at Home”.

Politicians tell us we are to “shelter in place” to stop the spread of COVID-19. We are told we do not want millions of people to die. Wear a mask for the safety of others. Practice social distancing. Mind you, this is solid practical advice to stop the spread of the disease. But, the populous has been paralyzed with fear.

I find it interesting we are very consumed with life when it impacts us personally with a killer virus. But in other cases, we could care less when it comes to the issue of other’s lives with abortion or euthanasia.

Look at humanity’s response to this virus. We are all slaves to death. We have holed up in our places in the fetal position. Collectively, our response indicates we are ultimately slaves to death and Satan.

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Because of Christ’s death on the cross, He has utterly abolished and rendered Satan inoperable. Jesus has power over death. Life reigns supreme through Him and because of Him.

John 8:34-36 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.

Do not think as a Christian, we are immune to the pressure and fear of death. Do not become over confident.

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.

As Christians, we should have no fear. There is absolutely no need to be scared of death. So what if we die from COVID-19 or whatever. Eventually, we all physically die. Death is inevitable except for a raptured generation. Believers are in Christ and with Christ.

2 Corinthians 5:8 Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord.

As followers of Christ, we should not shy away from the pressure of the times. It is the squashing that ultimately defines who we should be in Jesus. In the Greek, the word is θλῖψις/thlipsis. The idea is being squeezed. Our character is revealed in these pressing moments.

Romans 5:3-6 Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.

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Hebrews 2:16 For surely it is not angels that He helps, but He helps the offspring of Abraham.

The offspring of Abraham is human kind. Christ is for humanity. He died for us, human beings.