To wear or not to wear, that is the question.

23 Jul To wear or not to wear, that is the question.

As I’m sure you are all aware, Governor Holcomb announced yesterday a statewide mask mandate. The mandate says: “Masks must be worn by anyone over the age of eight when in indoor spaces, using public transportation or outside when you’re not socially or physically distanced from someone who isn’t in your household. Exceptions are made for medical purposes, strenuous physical activity, and eating and drinking.

How are we to respond to this mandate? Strong opinions abound on masks and whether or not to wear them. However, the answer to this question is actually very simple for us as a church. Because we are completely committed to the perfection, sufficiency, and authority of God’s word, we will submit to our government and put on our masks beginning next Sunday, August 2. Please do this for anyone in your family over the age of eight.We do this because God commands us to submit to government and obey (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17). The only exceptions to this are if our government commands us to do something God forbids or forbids us from doing something God commands. Otherwise we submit “for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors” (1 Peter 2:13-14). Peter than added, “For this is the will of God” (v. 15). We are to, “Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up (mask?) for evil, but living as slaves of God” (v. 16). This is crystal clear truth from God’s word.

So the issue is not what you believe about wearing masks, but rather, as always, what does God’s word say. Wearing a mask is certainly inconvenient, mildly uncomfortable, and perhaps intensely annoying to you. Some of you are thrilled and relieved by the mandate. Wearing a mask is not any kind of spiritual credit or compromise. It is, however, an act of humble and joyful submission to the Lord who commands us to submit to our government. You don’t have to agree with the mandate, but if you are a Christian you do have to obey.

I can tell you that I don’t want to have to wear a mask anywhere anytime. And I can feel my flesh calling out to me to rebel and say no. But unless we are going to include strenuous physical activity now in our worship service or eat and drink the entire time (good idea?), we need to put masks on. Throughout these days of COVID-19 we have consistently tried to have this same attitude and approach. We want to honor and respect our governing leaders, doing what they ask of us without doing more than they require. Many churches are still not meeting together again for worship, while our approach was/is that we will meet as soon as our leaders allow us to meet. It is critical that the church gathers together for worship, edification, and stirring fellowship and encouragement (Heb. 10:24-25). Virtual church was a temporary blessing, but a very poor substitute for in-person worship. So if it takes wearing masks to continue being together for worship, we’ll do it. It is truly a small sacrifice to make for all that we gain being together. And if you have been waiting to come back to church so far, please consider coming back now wearing a mask!

Be careful not to let this divide us against each other! Satan would love that so don’t give him that gift. And remember, Jesus promised that He would build His church. The gates of hell will not prevail against it and neither will wearing masks for a while. Keep loving each other well. Don’t allow your pride to cause division in our church. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice!

Pastor Kirk