Since March 9, over 50 Executive Orders have been issued in the state of RI in regards to COVID-19. In comparison, in the three years prior, about 10 Executive Orders were issued in the state each year. Anyone who has kept up with the Executive Orders issued since March should be congratulated!
These Executive Orders have created incredible controversy, with some saying the government is issuing these orders to help keep us safe, and others saying the government is trampling on our freedom. Some of the arguments on social media — among Christians — are very troubling and go against the unity Jesus called for in John 17…. and they are being played out in front of a watching world.
Did you know that the Bible includes some “Executive Orders” for us? They are known as the Great Commandment and the Great Commission.
The Great Commandment (Matthew 22: 34-40) is Jesus’ response to the Pharisees when they asked him what the greatest commandment was. Jesus said that we are to love God with all our heart and soul and mind, and that we are to love our neighbor as ourself.
The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) is a commission for Christ-followers to go out into the world and tell people about Jesus, and teach them to obey Him.
Regardless of how we feel about COVID-19 related Executive Orders, it’s very clear that Jesus wants us to follow His Executive Orders by loving God, loving each other, and telling others about Him. In fact, that is CCF’s mission: Calling all to love God, follow Jesus, and serve others.
…Let’s follow His Executive Orders and stop fighting about the other ones.