“And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Hebrews 12:5-11 ESV
This is the second of two articles exploring Christians’ response to the Coronavirus. In my first article (1), I stated that we should not see Coronavirus as judgment for specific sins (although I don’t discount the possibility) but instead as a general manifestation of God’s judgment on sin in the context of man’s curse and fall. In this article, which is aimed primarily at Christians, I will explore the question, ‘What is God teaching us?’ Perhaps this is a more important question to ask. I’m sure that we have all known success and failure as we consider our response to the question.
Discipline
Quoting from Proverbs chapter 3, the writer to the Hebrews teaches us that God disciplines His children (see Heb 12:5-11, Prov 3:11-12). It is important to note that in the context of both the book of Proverbs and the book of Hebrews, God’s discipline is to be understood not as a punishment for sin but as training in righteousness (see Heb 12:10-11).
God intends trials and troubles in life to produce holiness in His children. Many ask, ‘What is God’s will for my life?’ The New Testament has a straightforward answer – our sanctification (see 1 Thess 4:3, Rom 12:1-2, 2 Cor 4:17, 1 Pet 1:15-16). This is the ongoing process of conforming Christians to the image of Christ (see Rom 8:29). As one writer put it,
‘God’s chastening will never entirely cease till its end be gained. So long as we are here below, we need chastening, and we shall receive it. The great transforming process, in which chastisement holds an important place, will go on till it is completed in our being made “partakers of His holiness” – till we have no mind different from the mind of God, no will different from the will of God – till, according to our measure, we be holy as He is holy, and perfect as He is perfect. And then, the end of chastisement being gained, it will cease forever; and as the mature, the fully grown, the thoroughly educated children of God, we shall live forever in our Father’s house above, in the eternal enjoyment of that happiness which He has secured for us by the obedience to the death of His own Son, and for which He has prepared us by the influence of His Spirit and the discipline of His providence. Oh! who would not submit patiently, thankfully, to discipline, necessary, fitted, intended, certain – if endured in a childlike spirit – to produce so glorious a result?’ (2)
Trials are not the only way God trains His children, but they are ‘part and parcel’ of ordinary Christian life and a necessary means to Christian maturity. As we view the hardships and trials we may have experienced through the Coronavirus pandemic, we should ask ourselves – what am I being taught? This is a general principle in the Christian life, which we should apply in all our trials. The following is not an exhaustive list of questions we can use for ourselves, but I’m confident we can be helped and challenged by them.
What is God teaching us?
- Is God challenging our Western comforts? We live in a society where everything is designed for comfort. We turn on a tap, and we have water. We talk into our phones, and our lights turn on. All we need to do is ‘ask Siri.’ Everything is designed to make our lives as easy as possible. Consequently, we become accustomed to comfort, and as time goes on, people find that they cannot live without it. How good are we at ‘uncomfortable?’
- Do we appreciate meeting as a church? During lockdowns, churches have been unable to meet. Even now, at the time of writing, there are restrictions in place. In God’s providence, this has forced churches to innovate in the use of technology, which has been useful and should continue. However, has it challenged us in how important we see meeting together as a church family?
- How have we responded to divisions in opinion among Christians? During this time, there has been a difference of opinion among Christians regarding obeying government policy, lockdowns, the severity of the virus, and the use of vaccines. Have we been able to respond graciously to those we disagree with, or has it caused anger and division?
- Do we realise that we lack control? We deceive ourselves into thinking that we have control over our lives, but it’s an illusion. The consequences of a virus naked to the human eye have turned our lives upside down and devastated our economy. Is God challenging us to trust him more?
- Has our selfishness been challenged? When lockdowns began, people were seen hoarding toilet paper rolls, food and other items. This may have been due to fear, but for the most part, this revealed what is in the human heart by nature – selfishness. The Bible says that selfishness is at the heart of what it means to be a sinner. We always look out for our interests first. This is in stark contrast to the example God gives to us in Jesus (see Phil 2:3-8)
- Has our relationship to recreation been challenged? Recreation has a legitimate place in our lives, but to what extent? During the lockdown, there have been no holidays, and shops, cinemas, theatres, gyms, sports arenas, and many other establishments have been closed. Have we been challenged to consider how big a place these things have in our lives? Perhaps God is weaning us from them and challenging us to make better use of our time.
- Are we being weaned from the world? A particular temptation in our comfortable Western society, but the fact is Christians are too at home in this world. Is God forcing us to shift our gaze from this world to our heavenly home? (see 1 John 2:15-17, Matt 6:33).
- Have we been challenged to love our neighbours as ourselves? How have we responded to opportunities to serve our neighbours, either with the gospel or practical help, such as shopping for the elderly or vulnerable among us? Have we kept in contact with those who are isolated? We could also apply this within the context of our own families (see Mark 12:31).
- Have we been challenged to listen to the news less and read the bible more? News has a legitimate place, but this world’s media thrives on bad news. If we hear too much about it, we will become anxious. Perhaps God is challenging us to listen to the news less and listen to His voice more. This can also be applied to our use of social media. This may be even more of a challenge if we have found ourselves in a position where we have had more time on our hands.
- Have we been challenged to consider the reality of our death? Many people have died from Coronavirus. We live in a culture that seeks to hide death and divert our attention away from it. However, the Bible commends those who take a sober view of the reality of death and live their lives in the light of it (see Eccl 7:2-4). Perhaps God is reminding us of our weakness and vulnerability.
- Is God challenging us to ‘be still, and know that I am God?’ (see Ps 46:10). Perhaps this is one of the greatest lessons God is teaching us. As lockdowns have brought society to a near standstill and we have been forced to ‘be still,’ is God calling us to face our limitations? Calling us to consider what we live for, the activities we undertake, and the priorities of our hearts. Have we been humbled before God? Has it brought us to repentance? Have we made God our refuge and strength? (see Ps 46:1-2). Has God been exalted among us?
A comfort Crescendo
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.”
Romans 8:28-30 ESV
Considering these things, it is good to remember what one writer calls ‘Paul’s comfort crescendo’ (3). The Christians in Rome were under attack. Since they believed in Paul’s message, they experienced severe trials and persecution under the Roman Emperor Nero. In this situation, Paul spoke words of comfort (see Rom 8:28-30).
Like the writer to the Hebrews, Paul reminds the Christians in Rome of God’s ‘endgame’ in suffering – conformity to the image of his Son (see Rom 8:29). As one writer put it,
‘Paul ends this uplifting section by directing the church’s attention to the great “good” that God is continuing to do, even in this present evil age, which is to conform those whom He loves (the church) to the image of Christ. The sufferings we endure in this present evil age are a tool that God uses to mold us to the image of Christ. They are not outside His providential care; nor are they capricious. Rather, even the hard things that we endure have a good goal – they conform us to the image of Christ.’ Who we are in Christ informs our response to trials and adversity. Rather than leading us to anxiety or despair, trials should remind us that heaven will be better, that Christ is sufficient, and that these momentary, light afflictions that we endure now are incomparable to the eternal weight of glory that awaits us with Christ in heaven.’ (4)
As we consider what God has been teaching us through suffering during the current crisis, the bible has the exact words of comfort for us. God is dealing with us as His children to produce a glorious result – conformity to Christ, which is eternal life.
“My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him. For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.””
Hebrews 12:5b-6 ESV
Notes
- https://theedgedoctor.wordpress.com/2021/04/08/coronavirus-and-the-christian-a-judgment-of-god/
- John Brown, Hebrews – Geneva Series of Commentaries, Banner of Truth, 1994, p629
- Eric B Watkins, The Solution to Anxiety, TableTalk Magazine, Ligonier Ministries, May 2021, p22
- Ibid, p22
All scripture quotations are from the ESV
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