Transcript:

Hello, this is Pastor Don Willeman of Christ Redeemer Church. Welcome to a special-edition series of the Kingdom Perspective.

What should you do in response to the coronavirus epidemic?

Obey the governmental authorities.

All people need to obey the civil authorities, but this is all the more so for the Christian. Why? The Christian knows that authority is an essentially good thing. All authority is from God, and He Himself is the authority above all authorities. It is not just a necessary evil.

Now, certainly human authority can become corrupt, and we must be on guard for such a threat. However, human authority, whether it is in the home, workplace, church or government, is essentially good and proper, as it is a reflection of God’s love and care for us. Imagine what the world would be like without it!

In times of crisis this is especially true for governmental authority. It exists for the good order of society and the flourishing our humanity. As the Apostle Paul puts it in his letter to the Romans:

1 Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves… (Romans 13)

Therefore, in the present crisis, as you obey the recommendations and requirements of your federal, state, and local authorities, you are not only loving your neighbor by maintaining good social order, you are also loving your God who established such authorities.

Something to think about from The Kingdom Perspective.