Coronavirus: Don’t Be So Harsh!

https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/coronavirus-coronavirus-dont-be-so-harsh/

The following blog post is kind of like part two of an earlier Bill’s Bible Basics Blog entry entitled “Coronavirus: Why Do You Condemn Your Brethren?”, which you can read at https://www.billkochman.com/Blog/index.php/coronavirus-coronavirus-why-do-you-condemn-your-brethren/.

As many of my online friends know, I don’t normally like to step on people’s toes, whether it is on Facebook, or on any other social network. However, as I have mentioned a number of times before, over the past ten years since I first became involved with the modern form of the social network — there were previous iterations such as BBSes and old school messageboards — I have seen a lot of nonsense being shared on Facebook and elsewhere. Sadly, a lot of it has been posted by other sincere and well-meaning — but misguided, in my view — Christians. This includes false prophecies, misinterpretations of God’s Word, and other things which, quite honestly, I personally believe are contrary to the Scriptures.

My longtime friends who know me well, and who recognize my strong foundation in God’s Word, probably know that I could very easily expose the people who say such ridiculous things. However, as I already said, normally I don’t say anything due to several reasons. Admittedly, sometimes it does take effort on my part to restrain myself and to keep quiet, but I do. Allow me to enumerate some of my reasons for my personal restraint:

1. First of all, I don’t want to start fires all over the place which, once started, I don’t have the time to put out. I know for a fact that there are some people who are so convinced of their views —– even though they are in error — that they will defend their views tooth and nail, come what may. The sad truth is that with such people — I am referring to Christians here — their pride is so strong, that they would rather fight against Scriptural truth, even resorting to name-calling, mockery and condemnation, rather than humbly admit that they have been wrong.

2. Second, the minute that I go down that path of exposing every doctrinal error I come upon, there would be no end to it. In other words, there is so much nonsense shared on Facebook and on the other social networks, that fighting against it and exposing it would easily consume all of my time. As a result, I wouldn’t have time for anything else. I am sure that some of you reading this realize that I keep very busy with the Bill’s Bible Basics ministry, and now with its sister ministry, the Christian Social Network, as well. These two combined ministries are the most important thing in my life, and I can’t allow anything to sidetrack me from them.

3. Third, I am strongly opposed to engaging in online doctrinal debates. As I point out in my two-part article entitled “Should Christians Engage in Doctrinal Debates?” — which you can read at https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/Doctrinal-Debate-01.html — debating online is usually an exercise in futility, and, it is contrary to the model which we are given in the Scriptures. Such debates quite often result in ugly displays of pride and self-righteousness, division within the Body of Christ, and hurt feelings. It is my experience that in such online encounters, people are usually talking AT each other, and not TO each other. In other words, they are NOT really listening to each other. They are merely trying to force their opinion on the other person.

4. Lastly, I firmly believe in abiding in one’s calling and ministry. In other words, I believe that we should all strive to keep our nose out of other people’s ministries — unless, of course, they invite us to give a word of advice or opinion — and concentrate on our OWN ministry. For those of you who may not be aware of it, my position is quite Scriptural, as you can easily confirm for yourself by examining my KJV Bible Verse List called “Abide in Your Calling”, which you can access at https://www.billkochman.com/VerseLists/verse243.html.

So for these and other reasons, while there is a lot I disagree with on Facebook, and on the other social networks, in regards to our Christian faith, I purposely limit and restrain myself, insofar as how much I am willing to expose those things which I view as being incorrect in some way. But let me tell you. Over the past year or so, I have seen some rather outlandish things said regarding the coronavirus known as COVID-19. In fact, in April of 2020, I began a new article where I was going to expose some of the silly things which some people — including some of my own Christian brethren — were saying about the coronavirus. I had gathered my evidence from different sources and had actually begun writing the article. However, then I got busy with other ministry related things. But concerning the article, eventually I came to the conclusion “What’s the use? People are going to believe whatever they want to believe concerning COVID-19, no matter how wild it may be, and regardless of what I may have to say about it.” Thus, I abandoned that writing project earlier this year.

As I first stated in my “Coronavirus: Why Do You Condemn Your Brethren?” blog post, it is really shameful to see the way in which some Christians have been treating their brethren, simply because they have chosen to wear a mask, or to get vaccinated. These cruel people have condemned their fellow Christian brethren, and have accused them of having shallow faith, and of compromising with the world. In some cases, these people have foolishly told their brethren that they are no longer human, and that they have lost their Salvation, because they chose to get vaccinated against COVID-19. I have read harsh statements such as “What is wrong with you? The vaccine is the Mark of the Beast!” Friends, this is nonsense! Don’t believe it. These people don’t know what they are talking about. I am reminded of the following Bible verses:

“And if any man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know.”
1 Corinthians 8:2, KJV

“From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.”
1 Timothy 1:6-7, KJV

As I recently told an online friend, we all need to be very careful regarding being too harsh with our fellow brethren when they make the personal choice to wear a mask, or to get the COVID-19 vaccine. As I have stated many times before, we each need to operate according to our personal faith. We cannot and should not operate according to someone else’s faith. Furthermore, we should not allow others to condemn us, just because they do not agree with the choices we have made in our lives. As the Apostle Paul so wisely wrote in the fourteenth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans while discussing Jewish dietary habits and the observance of Jewish holy days:

“Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that eateth: for God hath received him. Who art thou that judgest another man’s servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand . . . But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ . . . Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brothers way . . . Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.”
Romans 14:3-4, 10, 22, KJV

Now, if you happen to be a person who views Christians who wear a mask, or who get the COVID-19 vaccine as being weak and shallow in faith, or whatever you think, then let me share with you what the Apostle Paul continues to say at the beginning of chapter fifteen of that very same Epistle:

“We‭ then‭ that are strong‭ ought‭‭ to bear‭‭ the infirmities‭ of the weak‭, and‭ not‭ to please‭‭ ourselves‭.‭”
Romans 15:1, KJV

Does Paul tell his readers to condemn their brethren? Does he instruct them to tell those brethren that they have lost their Salvation and are going to Hell, just because they eat or don’t eat certain things, or because they observe or don’t observe certain holy days? Definitely not! Quite to the contrary, Paul encourages the brethren to be compassionate and understanding! So what is YOUR excuse for condemning your brethren when they wear a mask, or choose to get the coronavirus vaccine?

In response to the self-righteous and accusatory question “What is wrong with you?”, let me state the following. If you are one who has been quick to condemn your brethren because they wear a mask or got the vaccine, maybe your pride and self-righteous attitude has prevented you from seeing the full picture. Has it ever occurred to you that perhaps there is nothing wrong with people who wear a mask, or who get the vaccine? Have you ever stopped to consider that perhaps some people simply don’t have a choice in the matter, and that wearing a mask and being vaccinated was forced upon them against their will? Have you ever stopped to consider that maybe there is something wrong with YOUR attitude?

As I explained in a previous post, that is quickly becoming our situation here on Guam. While COVID-19 restrictions are finally and slowly be lifted on our island due to our decreasing infection rate, as well as our low mortality rate, over the past year or so, we have pretty much been in complete lockdown. Wearing masks, social distancing, limited public gatherings and isolation has been the order of the day. As has occurred elsewhere, everyone here has suffered for it in some way: local businesses, our tourism industry, families, young, old, everyone. Yet at the same time, the rigid measures which have been imposed by our local government have paid off. After a year of the pandemic, our infection rate has yet to reach 8,000 people out of a total population of 160,000 to 170,000 residents. Furthermore, the mortality rate currently stands at 134 lost souls. That is a lot better than what many other places have experienced.

Moving on, for the record, while some people may be motivated to wear a mask and to get vaccinated against COVID-19 due to their personal fears, that is certainly not the case with me. Personally, I hate wearing a face mask; and, as I have made clear before, I have no intentions of ever getting the COVID-19 vaccine. I won’t go into the reasons concerning why I have made this decision. Most of you probably know them already anyway. Ample, credible information which spells it out for you can be found on the Internet, if you just take the time to conduct the necessary research.

But, here’s the thing. If I refuse to have my temperature taken, and if I don’t wear a face mask, the transportation service that I use won’t even let me on the bus. They will refuse me service. Likewise, if I resist wearing a face mask and won’t have my temperature taken, the security guard won’t allow me into the building where my monthly lab work is done. The same holds true with regards to my monthly doctor’s appointment. No face mask means no entry, and they are very firm about it. A few days ago I posted an image on Facebook which showed a large sign which was posted on one of our local government buildings. Among other things, in large letters it said “NO MASK NO ENTRY”.

Now, even though the COVID-19 situation is looking very good on our island, this is NOT the end of government-imposed restrictions just yet. Now that the various vaccines have become available to us, a strong, government-backed push is on to get our island vaccinated. Following are some quotes which appeared in an article in our local newspaper on March 22, 2021:

—– Begin Quotes —–

“The governor said May 1 continues to be the date when she hopes to open the island back for tourism if 50 percent of eligible residents are fully vaccinated.

If the goal is met, Leon Guerrero said incoming passengers will only need a negative COVID-19 PCR test 72 hours prior to coming to Guam to be exempted from quarantine.

She said residents need to continue to wear masks, maintain social distance and get vaccinated.

Leon Guerrero said the goal remains to get 80 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated by July 21, Liberation Day, and she believes the island will have enough vaccines to meet the goal.”

—– End Quotes —–

As you can plainly see, Governor Leon Guerrero’s goal is to have “80 percent of eligible residents fully vaccinated by July 21” of this current year. As has occurred in other places around the world, resistance to being vaccinated has been very strong here. Like myself, many people have taken a firm stand against being vaccinated. So tell me, my friend. How are these national and local governments going to achieve their stated objective of an 80% vaccination rate in order to hopefully achieve what has been termed “herd immunity”? As far as I can tell, there is only one way; and that is through government-mandated vaccination. In other words, do it or else!

As I already mentioned, thus far, I have avoided getting vaccinated, despite heavy vaccine promotion by our local government and by the health department, and I intend to continue to avoid being vaccinated. I just hope that push doesn’t eventually come to shove. My friends, if it does eventually happen here, and island residents are forced to be vaccinated, then it can happen where you are as well. Obviously, I honestly don’t know yet if it will come to that. Time will tell. After all, we are nearing the end of March, and their deadline draws ever closer.

Now regarding wearing a mask, let me say the following. As I mentioned earlier, I do NOT wear a face mask out of fear of the coronavirus. I have trusted the Lord to protect me from COVID-19 over the past year, and He most certainly has. As such, I will continue to trust Him. Yet at the same time, I will also respect government mandates as well, just as long as they don’t conflict with my beliefs in any way. As I have already explained, it is not like I have a real choice in the matter when it comes to wearing a face mask.

In light of everything I have just shared with you, allow me to ask you a few simple questions. Do you believe that there is something wrong with me because I choose to wear a face mask? Do you believe that I am a shallow Christian? Do you believe that I am weak in faith? Are you going to condemn me to Hell? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, well then, shame on you! You have learned nothing by reading this blog post.

For those of you who may have possibly missed some of my previous coronavirus-related writings, following is a list of everything I have written to date regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. I believe that you will find a lot of useful, factual, instructive and Scriptural information in this material. Please feel free to share this list on your own timelines, pages, in your Facebook groups, and on any other social networks where you happen to participate. Thank you so very much, and God bless you!

Bill’s Bible Basics Coronavirus Information Center:

Bill’s Bible Basics Coronavirus Information Center

Bill’s Bible Basics Articles:

BBB Article: “Coronavirus: Just the Facts, Ma’am”:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/coronavirus-1.html

BBB Article: “COVID-19, Financial Assistance and Christian Love”:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/covid-19-financial-assistance-christian-love-1.html

BBB Article: “Coronavirus: Defiant Christians, Stay Home!”:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/coronavirus-defiant-christians-stay-home-1.html

BBB Article: “COVID-19: Exposure Logging and Contact Tracing: Is It Safe?”:

https://www.billkochman.com/Articles/COVID-19-ExposureLogging-ContactTracing-1.html

Bill’s Bible Basics Blog Posts: