Worse than Covid?

As this quarantine rolls on through 2020, we find ourselves facing a spike in cases. Everybody is wearing a mask, washing their hands, using hand sanitizer, and keeping six feet away from each other. We have also shut down some businesses, curtailed hours and occupancy rates for others, and some are even suggesting we cancel Christmas. I think we need to be smart. At South Church we follow all of the recommended protocols and will continue to do so for the foreseeable future.

At the same time, it is interesting to note that, according to the CDC information as of November 17, the survival rate of Covid-19 is 98%. That means for those who are not in a medical high-risk category, the chance of dying from the Coronavirus is exceedingly small. Now, that does not, in any way mean that we should take it lightly or let down our guard. I am not saying that at all. What I am simply observing is how people have completely overturned their lives (voluntarily) and made substantial changes to their daily routines so that they will not catch something, which they have a 98% chance of surviving.

Ironically, while fear of the Coronavirus is at an all-time high, all those people, who spend significant amounts of time worried about catching the virus, spend little or no time concerned about what would happen next if they did happen to die from Covid-19. Look, the death rate is actually 100% for all of us. Meaning, we are all doing to die – someday from something. Are you ready for what comes next? Are you absolutely certain you are going to heaven? Have you confessed your sin to God, asked for His forgiveness, repented, and proclaimed Jesus as your Lord and Savior? What about those you love? 

Jesus says in John 14, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me” (John 14:6). Without Christ, there is no salvation. Jesus told the crowds in Luke 12, “Dear friends, don’t be afraid of those [including viruses] who want to kill your body; they cannot do any more to you after that” (Luke 12:4). The “after that” is far more important. Your heart will be broken if someone you love succumbs to Covid-19, but what is worse is knowing that you might never see them again if they don’t know Jesus. In the United States, 253,305 people have died from the Coronavirus, and my heart goes out to everyone who has lost someone they love. How much sadder it is to think how many of them were lost forever.

If we want to see husbands, wives, brothers, sisters, children, families and friends to celebrate together in the Kingdom of Heaven, then we need to tell them about salvation that is found only in Christ Jesus. Yes, Covid-19 is horrible and we should do all we can to guard ourselves from it, but an eternity without your loved ones is worse. Therefore, wear your mask. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Tell those you love about salvation in Jesus.            

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Remember to email your praises and petitions to southchurchprayer@gmail.com. We lift them up every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 4:00 pm on Facebook Live.

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