God is Not Inflicting Covid-19 on the World

I’m sure, like me, many of you have heard a sermon that points to the theory that this Coronavirus pandemic is somehow due to your sin and God’s anger about it. It grieves me to see so many people have a misguided view of our God.

God has demonstrated his love in this - Christ Jesus died for us so that we may have fellowship with our creator -the most High. Romans 5: God’s heart is that he wants none to perish, but all to come to the knowledge of Christ. 2 Peter 3 God is not the author of sin and death, he is the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2

The bible says the enemy seeks to kill, steal and destroy John 10:10. The devil is bent on destroying us. Why is it that we cannot properly ascribe the evil in this world, including Covid-19 to our common enemy, Satan? That same verse says that Christ seeks to give us life in abundance. This directly flies in the face of all those preaching that God has unleashed Covid-19 on the world as some sort of judgment. That is untrue. Don’t get me wrong, I am well aware that judgment is coming for all non-believers. But that time is not now. Scripture says that we serve a patient God. One that is waiting to return, so that all would come to the knowledge of Him and none would perish. THAT is His heart towards us. 2 Peter 3:9.

Scripture also says that in this world we will have trouble, but to take heart and look to Jesus for He has overcome all on our behalf. So, this pandemic is of no surprise to God, He didn’t unleash it, but He is very aware of the evil in this world. His word warns us of this present evil. He even offers an antidote! He says do not fear, look to me, I have overcome all and I will never leave you. John 16:33

Any preaching that seeks to inflict fear, blame and condemnation on believers by pointing to 2 Chronicles 7:14 that says: Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land, this is faulty preaching. The bible says that kindness is what leads to repentance, not Covid-19 outbreaks.

In that scripture, God was speaking to the Israelites who had shunned his commands.  He dealt harshly with them before the cross, before Christ’s sacrifice reconciled believers to God. Prior to that we were at odds with God and He had no other choice (as a God of justice and uprightness) than to deal harshly with our sins. The Israelites were God’s chosen people and they refused to obey him. At that time, there was no holy sacrifice on the cross. The Israelites’ sins were not forgiven, and therefore they were at odds with God. The scripture plainly says here they were in an unforgiven state. That is not our plight brethren. Scriptures should not be used wrongly during this stressful time. Instead, we should seek to love, encourage and comfort one another with the messages of love God has for us in His word.  

Because, thanks be to Jesus for His sacrifice - the ultimate sacrifice that made us friends of God. He went to the cross for us. There is no greater love than that. God inflicted the wrath that our sins carried onto His only begotten son -Jesus. At that time Christ said, “It is finished”. For all those who trust in Him, His ministry to us is GOOD NEWS. Please resolve to believe that Christ’s sacrifice was real and permanent for you.

God calls us His friend, His child and His beloved. He is not inflicting Covid-19 or any other horror on us. You must make room for the fact that we live in a fallen world with a roaring enemy prowling. Satan is quite literally the ruler of this present age. 2 Corinthians 4:4. All of the evil we see is his doing. This is why Adam and Eve were warned in the garden not to eat of the tree of good and evil. We are now reaping the result of that. Nevertheless, regardless of any evil lurking, we have ultimate protection, love, and security in Christ. Instead of disfiguring His face by attributing evil to Him, see Him for the loving father, comforter and protector He truly is. For God did not come to judge the world, but to save it John 3:17.

With love and reflection,

Ogo Nwaneri