Governments of many countries have requested people to stay home and refrain from any social activities in order to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus. However, we know that there are people out there who are STILL disobedient: doing their own things!
What's worse is that some of the people already know that they are infected with the virus, but lied, kept silent, and even attended their friends' weddings - further spreading the virus to their families and friends!
There are also people who knew that they should not go back to their hometowns in the countryside, but they STILL chose to go back, and giving higher chances for the virus to be transmitted to the elderly at home.
by Dr. Yap Chen Sing / March 26, 2020, 7:45 PM
Obedience is Tough, but...
We all know that it is difficult to obey as citizens of the country, but brothers and sisters, let us be mature Christians and obey. As the Bible says:
But Samuel replied: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams." - I Samuel 15:22, NIV
Here we see Samuel reprimanding Saul that God is more pleased when we obey Him. To God, obedience goes far beyond sacrifice, far more than the money we could donate, and far more than our church attendance. Even if we have the world in our hands, but we do not obey God in our hearts, He is not pleased. Obedience is obviously difficult, because man prefers to live life as they please: we are a self-centered people. The government WARNED us not to go out, with the main reason being to defend the country and every family, but many could not do it, or rather, DID NOT do it. God tells us to obey and be obedient for our good, but did we? If you could not submit to the authorities who are physically present, how can you submit to God Who is unseen?
Examine Yourselves
While you are at home, take some time to reflect on your life: Have I been obedient to those in authority? Have I obeyed my parents? Have you learned to practice obedience with one another? Have you obeyed the church? Most importantly, is there any obedience to the Word of God in your life?
God teaches us to give, but are you willing to sacrifice? God tells us not to worry, but are you worried? God wants us to rejoice, but are you sad? God told us to share, but did you go and selfishly stock up food? God wants us to have peace, but are you agitated?
Disobedience comes with their consequences and costs. Let us be humble and consider the odds. Think about it for a moment: is it a loss to you to be obedient. Does it cause harm to others around you? Does disobedience grieves the Holy Spirit? Let us reflect often, and help ourselves to live a more obedient life.
"And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever " - John 14:16, NIV
John reminds us that if we truly love God, we MUST be willing to obey His will and listen to His Word.
Brothers and sisters, let us learn to obey God and His Word together! Make our lives more blessed and be a blessing to others, especially in these troubled times!