A test of faith

Is there anything positive or constructive that a true believer in Jesus Christ should learn from COVID 19? Remember, we have been given the assurance and the consolation saying; “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8; 28).

We have also been given the responsibility to be light bearers and therefore, have been given the mandate saying, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure. Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that I may rejoice in the day of Christ that I have not run in vain or labored in vain” (Philippians 2: 12-16).

I therefore, beg to ask the question, as a believer in Jesus Christ is there anything good and positive that can be derived from COVID 19? The answer to this question is absolutely yes: The good that can be derived from this pandemic is the “Test of our Faith”. For we have been admonished by the apostle Paul saying that, “our faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God” (1 Corinthians 2:5).

As believers the genuineness of our faith has to be tested as we have been admonished saying; “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and un-defiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith --- the salvation of your souls” (1 Peter 1: 3-9).

We must also learn to profit from our trials as admonished by the apostle James saying; “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man supposes that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:2-8).

The apostle James further admonished us saying: “What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Depart in peace, be warmed and filled," but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit?

Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe --- and tremble! But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?” (James 2:14-20).

The test of our faith is the choice between having faith in the power of God through Jesus Christ the LORD as our healer whom we have been admonished saying; “And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases, Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with loving-kindness and tender mercies, Who satisfies your mouth with good things, so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's” (Psalms 103: 2-5).

We have also received the assurance of psalms 91 which says in part; “Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the perilous pestilence. You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked”.

Or, having our faith in the wisdom of men, in their proposed vaccinations which neutralizes, compromises and mutates our immune system and making it sounds as though their vaccinations are more powerful and resilient in combating sicknesses and diseases than the natural body guard we were born with to safeguard and protect our body and in effect assuming to be wiser and more powerful than the Creator who created us. The question is, how many of us will pass the test?

With brotherly love

Lucius Joseph