“For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:7-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Every decision looks a little different right now, doesn’t it? Even the decision to go to the grocery store carries different risks and restrictions than it did a few months ago. With so much uncertainty in the world right now, how do we evaluate our decisions? What should guide us? What does the word of God say about living in a pandemic? Well, it may not give us specifics, but there are principles to guide us. Here are some principles to get you started: 

You don’t live for yourself.  If you have confessed that Jesus is your Lord then that means that you belong to Him. Simple and clear. You are not your own, you were bought with a price, the blood of the Lord Jesus on the cross. (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) He paid for your sins and purchased you for His purposes. If you and I believe that, then we must remember that whatever choices we make must reflect that belief. I don’t live for myself, I live for God. And If I live for God, then honoring Him is the purpose of my life. Every decision I make is a reflection of what I say I believe. As you face the choice ahead of you, how does honoring God come into play?

Your life is to God. The NKJV and the ESV translate Romans 14: 8 in this way: “For if we live, we live to the Lord...” Here’s the truth that seems to escape us: We don’t just live for God, we live to God. We live in His direction, for His pleasure, for His purposes, for His ends. We live for an audience of One. In whatever decision I make, I have to evaluate if it is pointing me toward Him or away from Him toward something else.  

We face so many distractions: the political situation in our country, the social injustices, the effects of this devastating virus on physical health and on the economy. Every one of those things is important. Those factors affect the circumstances of our lives. But when we allow any of those things to be where we place our focus, then we begin to live toward that thing. Then we are distracted from our number one purpose which is to honor God, to live to Him. 

If I am most focused on the political situation, then that becomes what I most think about and talk about and it affects my attitude and my decisions. If I focus on the effects of the virus, then whatever decisions I make arise out of my fears or concerns. Remember, we don’t take unnecessary risks. That’s why we wear the mask and social distance. But we don’t let fear keep us from taking any risks. We live toward God and take the risks that are necessary in order to honor Him and to keep living. We evaluate family events, social events, even going to church, in that light. When I live to God, I don’t let fear keep me from doing the things that are really important. I take the necessary risks with necessary precautions. Ask yourself: Am I living to God in this choice or am I living toward something else?

Our death is to God. There is an illusion that exists in some believing circles, especially here in the United States. Believers throughout history have accepted that death may be part of the equation when they live for God. Somehow many American Christians have come to believe that true faith never gets sick, never dies and never is in danger. The teaching and attitude is that God should always miraculously deliver. This is such a dangerous fallacy. When we face illness or danger, many Christians believe that if they have enough faith, then the illness or danger should just disappear so that they can escape from it, and when that doesn’t happen, they struggle with all kinds of doubts about God and their faith. God does sometimes remove the illness or danger miraculously. That does happen because our God is totally capable. But most often He walks through it with us and we learn to know Him better through it. Even through death. 

If death should be a part of God’s plan for me, and it will be some day, then I want to die well. Unbelievers need to see believers who die with hope and trust in a living God. Sometimes that can be the most influential witness. Whenever I do face death, then my death is meant to honor Him. Lord, may I receive grace to die to You. 

Martin Luther, one of the most influential Christians in all of history, lived at the time the bubonic plague ravaged Europe. In 1527, he wrote a lengthy statement on how he believed Christians should live during that time and many contemporary Christian thinkers have been looking back to his words for guidance and encouragement during this global pandemic. Here is a quote from Luther: 4

Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbor needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above. See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.

What does faith look like in a pandemic? Faith does what is necessary to protect, but lets love remain the highest goal. How do I love my neighbor and my family while also doing my best to trust God? Luther’s advice was practical in the way of protection, but spiritual in the way of action. He says “If my neighbor needs me, then I will act.” Sometimes people need us in a practical sense, but sometimes they need our emotional support.

In the midst of this pandemic, people are still getting married and graduating and experiencing landmark birthdays and anniversaries. The apostle Paul challenged his Roman friends to “Let love be your highest goal.” (Romans 14:1) That’s also a good guide for evaluating your pandemic decisions. When it comes to events, will my presence be missed in a way that is detrimental to the person who is Inviting me? If so, then love dictates that I take the risk and attend. There are risks involved in loving. Sometimes when I love I take the risk of losing something practically or physically. But if I let love be my highest goal, the risks don’t seem as heavy. If I don’t go to an important event being held during the pandemic because I am afraid of losing something, my health, my business, my security, then am I acting in love and faith? Love does not mean saying yes to every invitation, but in those situations where your absence would be damaging, then faith and love must work together. Honor God by acting in love. That is faith. 

What does faith look like in a pandemic? It looks like trusting God and putting the needs of others ahead of my own. Putting the needs of others ahead of my own is the bedrock of Christianity, the example of Christ. It looks like helping when I am the person to help. It looks like taking necessary precautions so that I can take necessary risks.

Every decision reflects the foundation of our true faith. Remember that you don’t live for yourself, your life is to God, your death is to God and love is the highest goal worth aiming for. Dear Friend, may your every decision reflect your faith in our steadfast, immovable, ever-living, ever-loving God. 

Key thought: Every decision reflects the foundation of my true faith.

A Scripture to consider: “For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.” ‭‭Romans‬ ‭14:7-9‬ ‭NLT‬‬

A YES Challenge:  Are you facing a major decision right now? As you prayerfully consider all the possibilities ask yourself, “Which decision will most honor God?” As you think about how your decision will impact others, ask yourself how you can let love be your highest goal.

Prayer:  Lord, it seems like every decision is especially difficult right now, but the big ones are even harder. Help me to keep my focus on You. Help me to remember that honoring You is the highest purpose of my life. Let my decisions honor You and express Your love to others. Amen. 

Footnote: “Martin Luther: Whether One May Flee From A Deadly Plague” Christianity Today, May 19, 2020 (Click to read full article.)