Gazingstocks And COVID-19 … And Beyond

Hebrews 10:32-35 KJV
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
32 But call to remembrance the former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great fight of afflictions;
33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became companions of them that were so used.
34 For ye had compassion of me in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.
36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
37 For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.
38 Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him.
39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
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Have you felt gazed upon as of late? Well, if you don’t wear a mask out in public or in a place of business which “suggests” their use — you’ve experienced the GAZE.

I’m not going to debate the issue. Why? Because I don’t think it’s about the mask as much as it is conformity. We are being pressured to bow to the herd mentality. After all if the majority is doing it then it must be right. Right?

I’m not so sure about that.

For those of us that don’t wear the mask we’re being categorized as not caring for others around us — that we are putting others in danger because of our selfishness. I’ve given that some thought. What would I say if someone actually said that to me directly, personally?

“Oh yeah, well … you’re putting our nation’s liberties in danger.”

Our Founding Fathers would ream us out if they could see how we dishonor and disrespect the blood they shed to give us freedom from encroaching tyranny.

But that really isn’t my main concern in all of this.

I’ve drawn a line in the sand. What line you ask?

The line that says this world and this Country is not my home. I have a greater citizenship than my earthly citizenship. I’m a citizen of Heaven first and a citizen of my Country second. And if the two come into conflict, I yield to my Heavenly citizenship. My God and His Word rule supreme over all creation, period.

Our problem in living this out?

We’re afraid.

Yes, we ARE afraid.

Now, I’m not saying that’s bad or wrong. It’s natural and very normal. It’s OK.

But …

We must make sure we never let our personal fears cause us to compromise the Word of God or our conscience. Make no mistake though … there will be a price to pay.

Do you remember this Sunday school song (or the Vacation Bible School song) we used to sing:

The B-I-B-L-E
Yes, that's the book for me
I stand alone on the Word of God
The B-I-B-L-E

It’s more than just a cute song we teach our little children. It’s a foundational basis upon which we are to live. Many a martyr died for the truth of those simple words. And it’s time we get “simple” enough to be willing to live out that song and, if necessary, pay the price …

Just like those folks did in the passage of Hebrews I shared with you.

Those early believers became a focal point for persecution. Their faith, and the way they lived it out, caused them to stand out from the herd of their time. They were looked upon as an unwanted element. They were deemed to not be in the best interest of the public’s welfare. Therefore they were to be removed … by death if necessary.

But death usually isn’t the first thing that is thrown at believers.

It’s FEAR.

And who wouldn’t have been afraid in their shoes? I can talk brave sitting here in the comfort of my house, but what about if I had been there then? How big would my talk be then? I’m not sure.

It was very real to them. It was very tangible. Notice the descriptive terms and phrases used:

“ye endured a great fight of afflictions”
“ye were made a gazingstock”
“reproaches and afflictions”
“bonds”
“the spoiling of your goods”

I’m not sure about you but … I’d be a little fearful of having to go through that. If that’s not enough to convince you you’d be afraid, just jump over to chapter 11 and hang out in the second portion.

“36 And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:
37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;
38 (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.”

How could they go through all of that, even unto death?

They knew this world was not their home. And, they stood upon the truth of God’s Word.

“Knowing in yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.” (Hebrews 10:34)

My dear believer … if you can’t stand up to a little pressure like not wearing a face mask because you fear the “gaze” of others, then you’ll never be able to endure the “gaze” these early believers in Christ underwent.

I’m here to tell you ... if we can’t stand now in the little things in this relative time of peaceful freedom — we won’t stand later.

We must face the facts and get prepared for the inevitable.

The time for easy Christian living is over. Our faith is going to be tested. And it won’t matter if you’re a citizen of America.

So it comes down to this:
Where’s your loyalty — to your citizenship here or your citizenship in Heaven?

Before you say “Yes,” you’d better think it out to its fullest extent.