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Today is my last day of isolation after being diagnosed with COVID. I’m well by God’s grace and your prayers!
With lots of time to read, write, think, and do some work around the house, I’ve been thinking about freedom in Christ and its relationship to COVID.
What else does a pastor think about during the delirium of fever?
The Apostle Paul writes:
Let me be clear, the Anointed One has set us free—not partially, but completely and wonderfully free! We must always cherish this truth and stubbornly refuse to go back into the bondage of our past. Galatians 5:1 (TPT)
Jesus came to set us free.
There are things that we do that take away our freedom. There are things that we do that bring freedom. When I mention “freedom” in this Interruptions, I am discussing personal freedom, though the principles relate to all types of freedom (i.e. national and political).
I’m not a doctor or virologist, but I did have COVID, so pardon my lack of technical detail in the following. And forgiveness too if I don’t get the science right.
Let’s say you are a COVID germ. You are being hosted by Pastor Grant (who has the gift of hospitality), but you are an uninvited guest. You have lots of buddies now residing with you in Pastor Grant.
Every time Pastor Grant breathes about 30 to 50 of your fellow bugs get exhaled. When Pastor Grant coughs, about 3,000 of you get released. When he sneezes, an entire city of 35,000 of your buddies find freedom to settle elsewhere.
When Pastor Grant is in an enclosed room, it is a time of rejoicing for you and your friends. Every time he breathes, you gradually occupy the room. When Pastor Grant sneezes or coughs a few times before he leaves the room, you and your fellow combatants become a conquering army.
Thousands and thousands of you, just floating around, waiting to be breathed in by your next host.
Scary. Conclusion? Stay away from Pastor Grant?
Wrong! I’m now immune; I can’t be occupied by your COVID friends and all my COVID friends are dead.
I’m safer around you than you are around yourself.
If you have not been infected, the strategy is to minimalize exposure. Your body can fend off a few hundred COVID bugs. Somebody walking by on a sidewalk means little. If you walk into a mist of 35,000 bugs, then all your defenses of vitamins, healthy living, and healing oils will be overwhelmed.
(Please note, being outside, not in an enclosed space for more than 15 minutes, and wearing a mask, reduces risk considerably.)
Actions we do minimize exposure; actions that we do increase exposure!
Through 48 years of being a pastor, I’ve encountered many who have maximized their exposure to sensuality, anger, pride, power, addiction, and other bugs. The virus has taken over the person; they live, think, act, and breathe out through conversations – their sin.
The physical body will develop antibodies and kill COVID. This doesn’t happen spiritually because the spirit is dead because of sin – the flesh can’t develop immunity to sin!
You must be born again (John 3:3).
When you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior, your sins are forgiven, and you receive God’s Spirit. Paul writes in Romans 8:
There is now no condemnation at all for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death. Romans 8:1-2 (NASB)
You now have antibodies against sin. You must walk in your freedom.
The Spirit needs to be boosted daily in a relationship with God. You should not further expose yourself to the viruses of sin. Yes, you will be assaulted daily by temptations in the air, in conversations, with what you see in media, and even suggestions by friends.
Do not worry. The immunity in you is stronger than the infection around you from the evil one (Read 1 John 4:4 and Ephesians 2:2).
How do you get the vaccine?
Pray: Father, I accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I ask forgiveness. Please fill me with your Spirit. Sustain me. Keep me from temptation and allow me to walk in victory!
Amen! It is for freedom that Christ set us free.