The new Omicron “variant” should be of concern for Christian churches. Churches are to be places of healing, not of masks and social distancing. Then again, if your church does not have the power of God, it might as well close. What those “churches” like that are teaching is fear-based, not Love based. Perfect Love casts out fear. (I John 4:18) Jesus covered all sickness and disease at the Cross. (Matthew 8:17)
Most Christians know what the Great Commission is. From Mark 16 we read, “He (Jesus) said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
Many churches shamefully stop there. Jesus was not finished. He goes on to say, “And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God. Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”
Too many churches omit parts of the Bible and disregard the power of God. They ignore the fact that the church is meant to walk in power. All believers have been given spiritual gifts. Supernatural gifts of wisdom, of knowledge, of faith, of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, the gift of tongues and the interpretation of tongues. (I Corinthians 12) The people that know yet do not teach the full Gospel should not be looking forward to standing before the throne of the Almighty.
I speak in tongues and have the gift of discerning of spirits so far. I have much, much more to learn. I am thrilled and fascinated by the process!
God also says, “In the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophecy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17, Joel 2:28) Do I think we are in the last days? Yes. We may have a few more decades but what is a few decades compared to the thousands of years we have waited? Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12) We haven’t seen a lot of that yet. I think we will see more of this shortly.
If you think this is ridiculous, that’s OK, you are likely not going to have to spend eternity with God anyway. We are told to “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14) Think, when God brought the flood, He destroyed every human on the planet save Noah and his family. (Genesis 7) He is not kidding around. If your heart is burning right now, no matter who you are or what you have done, just cry out and submit. There is no sin He will not forgive, other than refusing His Spirit.
We were not placed on the Earth for our pleasures. We were placed here to decide between here and the Kingdom of God. Every joy, every desire on this Earth pales in comparison to what He has to offer. If you want to understand He will guide you into all righteousness, He will be your Father. Bow to His Kingship. You can either face trials in this world because of sin or because He is guiding and refining you (James 1), your choice.
Author: Janna Swanson
Janna Swanson helps her husband Paul farm in NW Iowa with their two young daughters. Since 2013 Janna has volunteered her time and energy for her community. She was a key member of the Preservation of Rural Iowa Alliance that protected landowners from the Rock Island Clean Line. From there she helped start and facilitated the grassroots group, The Coalition for Rural Property Rights to help protect community members from industrial wind installations. She is also a board member of National Wind Watch, a 25-year online collection of information of the industrial wind opposition from around the world. Most importantly Janna is a follower of Christ and seeks to help others to know and understand Him. Yet because she is also seeking deepening her own knowledge and understanding she welcomes critical, constructive debate. No one has the corner on truth, we all see “through a glass, darkly”. (I Corinthians 13:12)
