Social Distancing Open Door

Social Distancing

Open Door

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever

But the way we communicate the mystery of Christ is always changing

Paul adapted to new ways to fulfill his purpose

Many companies and churches will not make it after the pandemic

Many do not understand that when the Bible says to the believer

“Old things pass away and all things become new” 2 Corinthians 5:17 

This is not a one-time event

New and fresh revelation is continually coming from the throne of God

As one brother in Christ said, “Constant change is here to stay”

This change we find in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

Is for our purpose, the Ministry of Reconciliation

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NKJV

The God who created the heavens and the earth is still working in the world

As you and I pray for ourselves and others

Pray that, “God may open a door for our message” 

Pray for the churches and ministries as well as yourself

Pray for us all to see the new doors of opportunity

To proclaim the Mystery of Christ

And embrace new ways to be the Church, the Bride of Christ

Open Door

To slow down the Covid-19 Pandemic…

 Government Leaders and Health Officials

have asked the public to practice social distancing,

to keep six foot apart from others.

They have also asked people who

do not feel well to self-quarantine.

In some cases to stop the spread, stronger

language is used calling for a lock-down.

For the Apostle Paul, he was under lock-down.

He was in chains for preaching the Gospel.

Prisons may be the most effective way to

keep crime and viruses from spreading.

Prisons limit social interaction.

Prisons unfortunately are necessary.

It is also unfortunate when righteous people,

like Paul the apostle, are imprisoned.

If anyone could have asked the question…

 “Why do bad things happen to good people?”

Paul would have had the right to ask.

Paul never lost focus of his purpose

to proclaim the mystery of Christ.

Paul recognized the chains that kept

him from social distancing, came from

proclaiming the mystery of Christ.

In chains and lock-down, Paul

writes to the believers in Colossae.

He tells them…

 “Devote yourselves to prayer.”

This point is so valuable for many reasons.

Paul could have said, rally a

protest, write your public officials.

There are many things we can do

when someone is wronged.

But here Paul tells the Colossians to

engage in conversation with the

commander and chief, God Himself.

Although the scriptures support

pleading our case before God…

 It should go without saying God is

the judge and will bring a verdict.

So it is important we not only make our

petitions known, but we listen to God’s verdict.

      

  Paul reminds the believers in prayer

we are to be watchful,

to open our eyes and be thankful,

keeping a right attitude toward God.

If you and I were God,

we would have freed Paul.

I would have used some very high powered

lightning bolts from heaven, some thunder,

afflict pain on the one who ordered Paul’s suffering.

Let’s face it…

 God’s ways are not our ways.

 So be watchful, take time to learn God’s

ways and don’t let your personal feelings

get in the way of gratitude toward God.

Once the Colossians have prayed for themselves,

 Paul asked for them to pray for him…

  

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message,

 so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.

Colossians 4:3,4

Paul is not a quitter,

He never loses focus.

Paul has a chain maybe six foot long

keeping him at a social distance.

Paul is asking the church to pray, to ask God for

ways to continue to proclaim the mystery of Christ.

Paul did not give up because the old way of doing

things was not working; Paul was a cutting edge guy.

Looking for new doors, different ways,

he was embracing the challenges of the new normal.

The coronavirus is changing the way we do things.

Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever.

But the way we communicate the mystery

of Christ is always changing.

Paul adapted to new ways to fulfill his purpose.

Many companies and churches will

not make it after the pandemic.

Many do not understand that when

the Bible says to the believer…

 Old things pass away and all things become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17  

This is not a one-time event.

 New and fresh revelation is continually

coming from the throne of God.

As one brother in Christ said…

 “Constant change is here to stay.”

This change we find in 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

is for our purpose of ministry,

the Ministry of Reconciliation…

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;

old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ,

 and has given us the ministry of reconciliation

 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NKJV

The God who created the heavens and

the earth is still working in the world.

As you and I pray for ourselves and others…

Pray that, “God may open a door for our message”.

Pray for the churches and ministries as well as yourself.

Pray for us all to see the new doors of

opportunity to proclaim the Mystery of Christ.

And embrace new ways to be

the Church, the Bride of Christ.

Scripture Reading

Colossians 4:2-6

2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.