Man’s Predictions or God’s Promises?




Over these past few weeks our world has been gripped with a growing fear factor related to the Corona Virus that has reached pandemic levels. This fear has literally created confusion and disorder in nearly every corner of the world. As world citizens, what we thought would be normal life a few months ago is suddenly appearing to be anything BUT normal in the reality of what’s happening and decisions that are being made. For financial investors there is fear and uncertainty in the financial markets, for sports fans who relish the NCAA Basketball Tournament, March Madness has turned into March sadness. As world citizens, life is rapidly changing from what we thought would be normal…

But what about for us who are KINGDOM CITIZENS? …What about for us who claim to know Jesus as Savior and Lord? What about us who claim citizenship in the Kingdom of God, not this world, as our primary Home address on our Life-Passport? What about us? How should we respond as God’s People if we truly ARE God’s people? Some would say we shouldn’t respond any differently than if we were not Christians. That the Coronavirus doesn’t care if we are Christians or not... In the end, it will physically effect all of us the same. And we ALL know that PHYSICALLY, that is TRUE.

Our Physical DNA as Christ-Followers is not different because of our our Faith in Christ. To say otherwise would of course be absurd. BUT OUR SPIRITUAL DNA, AS CITIZENS OF THE KINGDOM OF GOD, IS DRASTICALLY DIFFERENT FROM THOSE WHO ARE MERELY CITIZENS OF THE WORLD. 

And the truth is, or SHOULD BE, that for us who know Christ, our Spiritual DNA always dictates what happens in the physical. That is – the Spiritual always takes priority over the physical. The Spiritual is always of greater concern than the physical. The Spiritual is ALWAYS the determinant in how we look at life and make decisions about life. And if that is not the case then we most definitely need to step back and take a look again at what God’s Game Plan for life - the Bible, has to say. 

Of course we should absolutely take all measures to protect others and ourselves from the spread of the Coronavirus. We should listen to the healthcare experts who tell us how to wash our hands and stay in when we’re sick and take all the precautions that need to be taken. At least temporarily, our mandates for living our physical lives has changed because of this physical threat which seems to be taking over the world. But if we follow Christ, our mandate for living life SPIRITUALLY has not changed nor will it change. PERIOD. The absolute Truth is that the Kingdom of God is NOT effected by the Corona Virus, or Diabetes, or Heart Disease or Cancer or ANY OTHER Physical disorder. 

And this is why, though we are citizens of the World, our firm understanding and reliance on our Citizenship in the Kingdom of God ALWAYS takes priority over our Citizenship in the world... ALWAYS! 

EVERYTHING we do in the world as God’s people should first be filtered through our understanding of God’s Kingdom truths and how the Spiritual always takes priority over the Physical. And God’s Word is clear on this: The Spiritual reality of who He is in our lives should ALWAYS dictate our responses to what is happening in the world. ALWAYS. All of our decisions and plans for the future as individual believers and corporately as the Church, should not be based primarily on the Physical but on the Spiritual… NOT on what man predicts will happen but on what God PROMISES will happen. 

So there’s the question, isn’t it? When it comes right down to it… Will we base our decisions for living now AND in the future on Man’s predictions or God’s promises? Are we going to waver back and forth as Citizens of the World and Citizens of the Kingdom of God, OR are we going to stand firm in our rightful inheritance as Kingdom Citizens and as joint heirs with Christ, as Scripture teaches and as God promises? … Man’s Predictions or God’s Promises? 

The reality is, if we truly are followers of Christ, we have taken on new Citizenship. And though we are still effected PHYSICALLY in the world by all the things that effect every Human being, we have been RELEASED from the curse of eternal separation from God – that is eternal death, because of what Christ has done. Think about this: Those who reject Christ not only must live with the consequences of the curse of sin and death physically now, they must live with it eternally as they will be forever separated from our loving Heavenly Father, who they have rejected. 

This could not be more clear from the pages of Scripture. Look at Romans Chapter 8:

Romans 8:1-41 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, (Because of what Jesus has done, those who follow Him are NO LONGER bound to condemnation – that is Spiritual death and eternal separation from God) 

2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. (The Law of Sin and Death is represented by the Physical realities of this world)

3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son, Jesus Christ, in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. (God’s answer for us who seek Him in Spirit and Truth is Jesus!) And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 

4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh (that is the Physical) but according to the Spirit.”

And God’s Word is filled with HIS promises for HIS people. In both the Old and the New Testament, He lets us know that as we walk through the valleys and storms of life, He is with us every step of the way! Here are just a few of these passages of scripture. There are MANY more!...

2 Peter 1:4
“And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires.”
Matthew 11:28-29
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”

Isaiah 40: 29-31
“He gives power to the weakand strength to the powerless.Even youths will become weak and tired,and young men will fall in exhaustion.But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.They will soar high on wings like eagles.They will run and not grow weary.They will walk and not faint.”

Philippians 4:19
“And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus.”

Proverbs 1:33
“But all who listen to me will live in peace,untroubled by fear of harm.”

John 14: 27
“I am leaving you with a gift—peace of mind and heart. And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give. So don’t be troubled or afraid.”

...So now, rest in His peace and trust His promises! They are everlasting and filled with His hope, mercy, grace and compassion for ALL of His Children as we trust Him over and beyond our own understanding…

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Proverbs 3: 5-6 


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