I am struck by how many of my Christian friends are on the warpath. Normally, I might find this a good thing. Christians need to show passion. We need to fight against the injustices and immorality that permeate our world.
To my dismay, the warpath so many are on is this: you can’t make me wear a mask. You can’t impede my freedoms.
Really? This is our path? Why not a war on sin? Why not unbridled passion for the plight of the poor and disenfranchised in the community? Why don’t we get bent out of shape about the inequalities that are inherent to our way of life in this country?
It’s time to tell the truth. In a world that is ravaged by an invisible enemy, it is imperative that we do all we can to protect others. The easiest and most menial thing we can do is wear a mask. We have to challenge people that the Christian’s duty is to care for others. Forget the hogwash you read on the Internet and hear from extremist media; masks are vital in preventing infection. If you don’t believe this, next time you have surgery, tell the surgical crew to do their work without masks. Why should they be uncomfortable while they operate if masks are useless?
I submit that for the Christian to wear a mask is the most Jesus thing we can do. There is zero doubt that Jesus would wear a mask. If you don’t agree, then look at His word. Romans instructs us to follow the laws of the land. The authorities — even the dimwitted ones — are encouraging masks. We are also called to care for the most vulnerable. We are called, by Jesus, to always think of others first. We are challenged to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. The Scripture is clear: wear your mask.
It is sad that griping and bellyaching going on in our country is being led by conservative, usually Christ-proclaiming people talking about their freedoms, “you can’t make me do this or do that, God will protect me against a silly old virus.”
That last point is particularly fascinating. Many of my Jesus friends who rail against mask wearing and say God will protect them from a virus have literal arsenals in their homes to protect against intruders or robbers or zombies or left-wing commies or whomever. So, their God can protect them from a virus, but they must have guns to handle everything else? How small is their God?
Don’t mistake my last thought to mean I am anti-gun. I enjoy shooting guns as much as the next guy. But I do not enjoy illogical, hypocritical and nonsensical thinking. Either God is big enough to protect you (from virus or villain) or He is not.
Our challenge is to speak this type of truth. Too many who claim Christ are speaking their “truth” in an in-your-face and rude way. It is incumbent upon us to speak The Truth back in a similar forceful manner — not rude — for no other reason than to ensure the message is heard loud and clear.
Followers of Jesus are guilty of spewing hatred, vitriol, anger and malice. I have heard so many people that I love, cherish and respect say some of the most horrible things about individuals or groups of people. This is not what Jesus would do. It is not what Jesus calls us to do.
I see this ludicrous mask argument as a symptom of a deeper problem. The problem is the church has become hate-filled and exclusionary. We don’t want “those people” to be part of our Jesus group. We want our protected bubble where we are the masters of our domains and the rest either join us in lockstep or get away. This is not the path Jesus has for us.
In 2020, the Jesus path should be one where we who are His followers wear masks to show love by protecting others. In 2020, the Jesus path is one that is led by kindness and grace and a willingness to try and understand rather than vitriol and hatred and putrid put-downs and vile words. The ancient words of Joshua ring true more than ever: “Choose this day whom you will serve as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
We will serve the Lord on His terms, not on ours.
Bob McFadden
Franklin
