There’s a lot out there in the world about testing and coronavirus.  I’m going to be giving some other “coronavirus tests” – for Christians.

There’s a lot of upheaval in a lot of lives right now.  Normal routines are broken.  Many things that used to be easy are difficult.  All that is true, even if you and those you care about haven’t become ill, or lost their jobs or businesses.  If there is illness or financial pain as well, then this is even more difficult.

Thus, the first test for Christians.

James 1

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

I Thessalonians 5

18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

John 16

33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Joy, thanks, peace.  In every trial, in EVERYTHING.  Is that our response?  That “in everything” zaps any excuses, by the way.

If that isn’t our response to what is happening in our life, then we’ve failed this “coronavirus test” for Christians.  Christians who are led by the Holy Spirit will respond differently to difficult situations than those who aren’t trusting the Lord.  Jesus said He would give us peace — if we don’t have peace, something is wrong.  If we can’t be thankful for all that we have in Christ, if that thankfulness doesn’t override even the most difficult of circumstances in this temporary life, something has gone amiss.

It doesn’t matter how difficult things are in this life, eternal glory supersedes it.  If you’ve failed this test it’s probably because you are too earth-focused.  Either you never really had Heavenly citizenship (sadly, probably some who read this never did), or you’ve forgotten that citizenship and all it means.

If it’s the first problem, you need to be saved.  You need to really learn what Jesus’ death on the cross was all about, and turn from a life of sin to a life of trust.

If it’s the second problem, it’s time to get back to the Lord, back to His Word, to prayer, to thinking about the things HE wants you to think about in the way HE wants you to think about them.

We’ve been bought with a price, we belong to Him, and so we are in His care.  He wants us to have joy, thankfulness, and peace, and if they are missing, we’ve drifted from His plan.

If you’ve failed this first test, fix it today.  There are more “coronavirus tests” for Christians coming!

The Second Test
The Third Test
The Fourth Test
The Fifth Test