Some Value Masks Over the Messiah
The idea of wearing masks really gained popularity in May and June of 2020. Before long, each person was mandated to wear a mask in public places. Naturally, this was a very divisive issue in the Lord’s church. Those who felt one way about them said that if one wore a mask, he was acquiescing to a large government ploy for control. Others who felt the opposite way said that if one did not wear a mask, he did not truly love his neighbor. Usually, when you have two extreme positions, the truth is somewhere in the middle. The intent of this article is not to discuss the efficacy of masks.
Issues arose over congregations asking members to wear masks or leaving it as optional. Unfortunately, I personally have heard of congregations splitting over this mask issue. All of this boils down to a principle found in Romans 14. In dealing in matters of opinion, we should not impose something on someone that is not bound by Scripture. At the same time, I should go out of my way to not cause someone to stumble. If my not wearing a mask is going to cause a brother to question his Christianity, I should wear one. If my wearing a mask is going to compromise a sister’s soul, if possible, I should either not wear it around her, or stay away so as to not make her stumble.
When we value masks over the Messiah, we lose sight of what the church is supposed to do. We are to build one another up, not tear one another down (Eph. 4:29, etc.).
Some Value “Caution” Over Christianity
How much evangelism has gone on over the course of the pandemic? Many say that since we are supposed to be in “lockdown,” we cannot evangelize. Think of all the tools that God has given us, but we are too afraid to use them! Yes, the internet can be a horribly evil thing. Alternatively, much good can be done through it. How many Gospel sermons would you estimate have been uploaded to websites, Facebook, and YouTube in this time? I would not begin to guess. When it boils down to it, we will always have the need to evangelize (Mark 16:15), regardless of what restrictions the government might put in place.
Some “Christians” have not stepped foot inside a church building in the past 28 months. We understand that there are some who have health conditions that do not permit them to get out. The Lord also understands. But this is not about those individuals. This is about those people who claim to love the Lord, yet do not attend services out of “caution.” They go to work, the grocery store, ball games, vacation, and anywhere else that you can think of, EXCEPT the assembly of the church. What do you value in life (Mat. 6:33)? Is worship too “risky” while a baseball game is a “fun family break”?
CONCLUSION
What then have we learned from two years of the COVID-19 pandemic? One overwhelming theme that can be seen in these points, as well as others that have not been mentioned, is the negligence that can sometimes be harbored in the hearts of members of the church. Many have neglected to love the Lord and serve Him (John 14:15). Even more have neglected to love their fellow man (cf. James 2). Instead of shirking our responsibility, let us get back do actually doing the work of the Lord (1 Cor. 15:58).
I am not sure how long that we will be dealing with COVID lockdowns and mandates, but I am sure that long-term effects will be dealt with in the church. Many have said and done things that will take years of work to repair. Unchristian attitudes have reigned for two years.
The work can be done, though. How can we build back and be stronger? We must let love supersede all things (1 Cor. 13). We must have our priorities in order (Mat. 6:33). We must look for opportunities to help those in need (James 1:27). We must be serious about Bible study (2 Tim. 2:15). We must carry out the Great Commission (Mark 16:15). We must stand strong against opposing forces (Acts 5:40-42). In short, we need to get back to being the church, which we have failed to do for far too long, even before the COVID-19 pandemic.
