Saving Lives

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?  Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”  Mark 8:36-37

 

In the year 2020, a monumental amount of changes are happening consistently around the world, in order to save lives.  Now I could get into the arguments on both sides, both pro and against the measures being taken, however, the point of the matter is that whether or not you agree or disagree with what is happening around the world, it is happening.

 

The argument, if you will, is to bend the curve, saving lives. 

 

I could not help but wonder the other day about the amount of effort pastors around the country have put into preaching the Gospel. 

 

“But what does it say? The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the Word of Faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture says, Everyone believing on Him will not be put to shame.  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich toward all who call upon Him.  For everyone, whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.  How then shall they call on Him into whom they do not believe? And how shall they believe Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without preaching?  And how shall they preach if they are not sent? As it is written: How beautiful are the feet of those preaching the gospel of peace, bringing glad tidings of good things.  But they have not all obeyed the gospel, for Isaiah says, Lord, who believes our report?  So then faith is of hearing, and hearing through the Word of God.  But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”  Romans 10:8-18

 

Here we are in the year 2020 and most pastors can not even remember to include repentance (Ac. 17:30-31) in the Gospel message.  We live in a society were our focus is on jobs, jobs, jobs.  Our standard of living is of more value than God’s.  If only our pastors were as focused on preaching God’s Truth as the governments of the world are on saving lives.  Could you imagine?

 

People are willing to social distance, stay indoors, give up their jobs, eat at home, donate to the poor, help others, trying to save lives, but when it comes to the things of God, their hearts are hardened and they refuse to repent of their deeds! 

 

We have a government in the United States that is throwing trillions of dollars at fighting this virus, yet we have Churches full of lukewarm people (Rev. 3:14-22) who refuse to adhere to Biblical standards.

 

“Therefore, Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.  And I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. ”  2nd Corinthians 6:17-18

 

If you were to take a look at the measures being taken worldwide to combat this virus, it is staggering in comparison to what five minutes of prayer worldwide could potentially do.  Could you imagine if the world decided to pray to God, to our Creator, in one day what could potentially happen?

 

Is not God able to stop this virus in its tracks?  Could not God Almighty, He who Created the heavens and the earth, make the virus go away immediately?  While I certainly do know that He answers prayers according to His will (1 John 5:14), I know with absolute certainty that we in the world could pray and literally the virus could just disappear immediately…don’t say it couldn’t happen!

 

“Behold, Jehovah’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor is His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.”  Isaiah 59:1

 

“You are the Mighty God who does wonders; you have declared Your strength among the peoples.”  Psalms 77:14

 

Who am I to suggest such a thing?  I have seen people calling for prayer, but I ponder whether or not a nobody like myself could simply suggest a date and a time for the world to seek their Creator to resolve this problem?

 

Then, if God Almighty answered such a prayer, would the people of the world humble themselves and repent, believing into Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior?  Or would they go on with their lives, believing and rejoicing for but a moment and then continuing on with their wickedness?

 

What if God allowed the world one more chance?  What if God answered the prayers of many who cried out to Him?  What if God responded and put an end to this virus, without the needs of trillions of dollars, social distancing, future starvation in poorer nations, suicide rates through the roof in richer nations, abuse, depression and numerous other social-economic problems of the future?  What if God, our Creator (Gen. 1), He who Created the heavens and the earth, answered our prayers to Him?

 

Would He give the world one more chance?  Would He allow mankind to repent and seek Him before it is too late (Is. 55:6-7)?  If people are desperate for things to return to normal, what will happen when those who are not Saved are Left Behind and the world enters the “time of Jacob’s trouble” (Jer. 30:7)?

 

All Will Stand is but a small ministry, one with a single man behind a keyboard or a microphone.  Yet, I ask people to join me on April 20th at noon (their time) and pray to our Creator to put an end to the virus.  Perhaps, just perhaps God will have mercy upon us and give the world one last chance to repent?

 

“Who knows if God may turn, and have compassion, and turn away from His burning anger, that we not perish?  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way. And God was moved to pity with regard to the evil that He had spoken to do to them, and He did not do it.”  Jonah 3:9-10

 

Amen!