The Contagious Message in the Contagion

Can any good thing come from the COVID-19 virus that has devastated the world? When we consider the many thousands of people who lost their lives, millions of people who are affected emotionally, economically, and socially and the global chaos in human life as a whole, who will ever think of any positive outcome from all this? But the Lord Almighty Who is always in control of whatever happens and brings the good out of the worst is Sovereign even in this pandemic we are all caught up with.

The Message we believe and preach is still relevant and will never be outdated.  The Apostle Paul wrote, “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18).let us discover the following about the message:

1. It is a Message of Connection (Romans 5:1; Ephesians 2:11-13). The communion between God and man has been disrupted due to the entrance of sin in the human heart and mind. Man has been longing for a means of reconnecting with his creator God and rituals and animal sacrifices served the purpose for a season. But the great message of connection and the Messenger Who connects God and man and between man and man who were divided and distanced, has come and preached among mankind. The Gospel connects God and man and a man with other fellow human beings.
2. It is a Message of Conviction (Acts 2:37-41; 11:19-21; Hebrews 4:12-13; Acts 16:13-15; 31-34.) The Good News of Jesus Christ brings deep conviction and causes the heart to be pricked of guilt and drives to repentance and faith. The hearer cannot go undecided, but choosing to accept the free offer of salvation in Christ or to reject it and go his./her own selfish way.
3. It is a Message of Confirmation (John 1:11-13; Hebrews 2:1-4; Acts 10:44-48). Anyone who receives the message with a sincere heart is given the affirmation that he/she is a child of God, born of God into the family of God. The message is validated by prophets of old and by God Himself through various means.
4. It is a Message of Cancellation (Colossians 2:13-14). Debts canceled and loans owed written off bring great relief and unspeakable joy to those who are caught up with it and unable to repay. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross of Calvary has canceled every law and writing against the believer that could have held him captive, and released him to live free of any bondage. If the Son has set you free, you are free indeed.
5. It is a Message of Cleansing (John 15:3; Ephesians 5:26; 1 Peter 1:22-25). The sinner needs a deeper inner cleansing from all sin and guilt and the assurance of freedom from its consequences.  The message of the cross is all about washing away the dirt of sin that contaminates the soul and body and releases the believer to victorious living. The cross of Christ offers the free and full cleansing of the contaminated soul.
6. It is a Message of Condition (John 3:16; Mark 16:15-16). The message proclaimed can be resisted, received, or rejected altogether. However, in order to benefit the fruits of the message of the cross, one must choose to obey and take it by faith and act upon it. A believer will be saved, sanctified, and blessed with the fruits of righteousness and inherit eternal life in Christ. Those who reject and refuse to accept God’s free offer of salvation through the cross of Christ will be judged and condemned.
7. It is a Message of Contagion (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8; 5:42; 6:7; 8:4-5). The Gospel message is not to be kept for a favorite few, but to be shared with all people everywhere. The empowerment of the Holy Spirit is endowed upon the followers of Christ to effectively communicate the message to a contaminated world. Those who heard the message spread it like the COVID-19 and has entered into almost every corner of the Roman world even in the first century. The message of the cross is contagious, and it crosses all regions, races, barriers, and boundaries and transforms the believer. The believer is a carrier and is positive with this message that is contagious. Let us fill our neighborhoods, communities, regions, and the nations with the message of hope even in the pandemic.

God bless you.

Pastor Joe Kurian