The Christian Response to the Coronavirus
Living Faith
Friday, April 24, 2020
The Bible says in Galatians 3: 11, “But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident, for the just shall by faith.” The question is on this Friday, the last Friday in this month of April, 2020: Are you living by faith? Living faith will move us forward, trusting in the power of the risen Christ. The just shall live by faith, not finance, fitness, fashion nor food. Living by faith means that we believe the promises of God that His grace is sufficient. His mercy is everlasting and His truth endureth to all generations.
The opposite of a living faith is a dead faith. Dead faith needs a funeral today; dead faith must be eulogized and buried. A dead faith is dangerous and contagious. Many people are falling away from the church by using this coronavirus as an excuse for not worshiping, but worrying. They are not worshiping, but they are still working, still shipping, still shopping, still entertaining, and still gossiping because they have allowed their faith to falter. James Cleveland used to sing a song called “Where Is Your Faith?” A lack of faith creates the atmosphere for a dead faith to dominate our spirits and souls. A living faith is an active faith. A living faith is a worshiping faith, a walking faith, a working faith, a waiting faith, a warring faith and a winning faith. Please study the eleventh chapter of Hebrews.
Our faith must come alive; this is no time to operate in weak or dead faith. A dead faith is no good to your church, your family, your neighbors, your colleagues, not even your enemies. Dr. Phillip Paschal said that “a dry faith is just as bad as a dead faith.” Listen, if you stay away from church, God’s word and prayer for a season, your faith will dry up like a raisin in the sun. I don’t know about you, but I don’t appreciate dry stuff. Dry bones in the valley, dry skin, dry lips, a dry mouth, dry bread, dry cake, dry chicken, dry steak, a dry church and dry people. The truth be told about this dryness stuff, God does not like a dry faith. Faith has to be alive and active. Show me your faith and mountains will start moving. Show me some faith and the Goliaths will start falling. Show me some faith and some people will be getting saved. Show me some faith and somebody will start believing more in the Person of God, the Peace of God, the Provision of God, the Promises of God, the Presence of God, and the Power of God. Faith is what gets God’s attention. Hebrews 11:6 declares “Without faith, it is impossible to please God.” Really, be truthful; this is a devotional. Who are you trying to please? The just shall live by faith. Amen.
