Positive Lessons from Coronavirus for Society

Continuing in our series on 100+ positive lessons from coronavirus, today we’ll look at society and community…how we live among each other in light of the virus. God’s people must live faithfully in the world, but not of it.

When we’re talking about social implications, it’s important to recognize that coronavirus has an origin. We don’t know for certain yet who “Patient 0” was but we do know that coronavirus originated in Communist China and from there, it spread. To be fair in discussing this, it’s REALLY important to draw distinctions.

The ethnic Chinese of Hong Kong and Taiwan are not Communists. They live under different systems of government and are always under threat from the mainland.

There are people living in mainland China who are ethnically Chinese, but they are not free. Of the 1.4 billion people living in China, most are subjugated slaves of the Communist Chinese Party which is an elite group of around 90.59 million people.

To say that coronavirus originated in Communist China, it’s not a xenophobic statement. It’s reality. It’s not the fault of those Chinese who are enslaved, living under an authoritarian regime, but the Communist government (CCP) is expected to truthfully account for what happened to its own people and then to the world with coronavirus. That’s what China agreed to in membership of the World Health Organization. Of course, that implies their system of beliefs promotes transparency and honesty. Communist China is a self-proclaimed atheistic society, therefore their view of social responsibility is different and their WHO activities reflect that.

According to the Council on Foreign Relations,
“Overall, “religious groups have been swept up in a broader tightening of CCP control over civil society [PDF] and an increasingly anti-Western ideological bent under Xi Jinping,” writes Freedom House. China is home to one of the largest populations of religious prisoners, likely numbering in the tens of thousands; while in custody, some are tortured or killed, rights groups say.

No Christian should ever embrace Communism or Socialism because there is no concept of “Two Kingdoms in cooperation” in such a system. Do not conform, but be transformed…

How now shall we live as societies and communities during the pandemic while living also as citizens of 2 Kingdoms?

For citizens of 2 Kingdoms, on a societal/community level:

I am my brother’s keeper.
Looking out to the interests of others glorifies God.
Everyone’s work is essential to them. Be gracious and patient with those needing to return to work.
Understand the reason for peaceful protests to reopen the economy.
Everyone’s safety is a priority. We care for each other. Safety is harder with so many unknowns.
Understand the reason for the initial lockdown in most major world economies because even today, the virus is not a known entity.
It’s okay to be America first (and peacefully expect every other nation can/will do the same).
Love others as Christ has loved us.
Sacrificing what one can voluntarily (for the benefit of others) is better than forced compliance.
God gives us leaders throughout families/society and our choice is binary: obey or disobey (which can be civil disobedience or rebellion).
Social architecture is complex and interactive. We are all connected.
Because of that connection, societies are like organisms where rhythms develop. These rhythms are threatened when changes in one area impact another.
Not all societies value people equally.
Not all societies welcome religious affiliation or diversity.
Not all societies want to peacefully coexist. Some want world domination with all other countries as tributary states.
Nations in a global world are always on an unequal playing field.
The true American spirit works hard, cares deeply, assists others, and loves freedom.
The spirit of the American revolution is alive in the hearts of patriotic Americans who persevere, standing our ground, to remain free.
For my Christian readers in other countries, the same Holy Spirit lives in you as in your Christian brothers and sisters in America.
It’s not wrong to point out evil in society. In fact, Scripture tells us “Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” Ephesians 5:11
It’s not wrong to take our stand against evil. “Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Ephesians 6:13
We are called to distinguish between people and their governments, mindful that the redeemed in Christ include those from every tribe and language and people and nation.