Why Did God Allow The Coronavirus To Exist?

The existence of pandemic diseases such as the Coronavirus (known as COVID-19) or any other deadly sickness can bring us to a situation in life where we have many questions about God and life in general.
For example, we may ask: Why would a loving and merciful God allow a deadly disease like the Coronavirus to spread and kill so many people? Is God punishing humanity by allowing the Coronavirus to exist? If God exists, why would He allow an outbreak such as the Coronavirus to kill innocent people?

To understand or even attempt to answer these kind of questions, we must have knowledge and understanding of 3 primary things which are:
1. What is the origin of sickness and disease in our world?
2. Does God use plagues and disease to punish people?
3. Can God use sickness and disease for His own glory and for man’s redemption?

What Is The Origin of Sickness and Disease In Our World?
When God created the earth and the entire universe in Genesis chapter 1 and 2, we learn that everything that God created was perfectly made without any defect or abnormality. There was a time when the earth itself inclusive of mankind and every creature and plant was perfect and without disease or any kind of imperfection.
Man consisting of both Adam and Eve was perfectly made and had perfect communion with God and with nature. Why? Because sin had not yet entered the world.
Therefore the origin of every sickness or disease that we have in the world is because of the fact that sin entered into the world because of Adam and Eve who disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:1-24).

Romans 5:12 says the following of Adam – “Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned”
As a result, there is no human being who is immune to the power nor the effects of sin, such as disease and sickness.
Therefore death, sickness, disease and all kinds of natural disasters exist because of the existence of sin in humanity and on the earth (Genesis 3:14-19).
Sin itself can be compared to a disease that has been methodically destroying the earth and humanity from the time it entered the world.
Therefore the Coronavirus or any other disease or sickness is a grim reminder that we live in an imperfect and sinful world. Diseases such as the Coronavirus which bring fear and death are consequences of living in a fallen world which is under the curse of sin.

Does God Use Plagues and Diseases To Discipline or Punish People?
First it is very important to note that we should not assume or presume that every person who is suffering from a sickness is being punished or disciplined by God. It would be false to think so. Even the best of us can fall sick, not because we are being punished by God, but because we have aging and imperfect physical bodies since we live in a fallen world. Therefore irrespective of our spiritual, moral, social or physical status – we are all subject to illness and sickness. Nobody is immune to disease or sickness.

However, in the Bible there are several occasions where God used plagues and diseases to punish or discipline people. For example, God used plagues on Egypt to force Pharaoh to free the Israelites from slavery and bondage (Exodus 9:1-10; Exodus 15:26).
In Leviticus 26:21,25 God warns that if people disobey Him, then He will bring upon them pestilences and diseases.
It is also important to note that God also has the power to heal and remove diseases and sicknesses. Therefore God controls who should live and who should die as a result of a sickness or disease. When God sent the plagues to Egypt, God allowed the diseases and plagues to affect only the Egyptians whilst protecting the Israelites from being contaminated or infected. This reveals that God is in complete control of all things and that nothing good or bad happens without God’s knowledge or sovereign will.
When Miriam opposed Moses, God brought leprosy on Miriam’s skin so that it became “white as snow”. However later He mercifully removed the leprosy from her skin (Numbers 12:1-16).
In the New Testament we see that Jesus Christ was able to heal every disease and sickness therefore confirming that God is able to miraculously heal anyone of any kind of illness should He choose to do so (Luke 7:22).
Therefore God is the ultimate Healer and He is able to heal anyone according to His sovereign will.

Can God Use Sickness & Disease For His Glory and For Man’s Redemption?
Indeed whilst God may use sickness and disease to discipline or punish, God is also able to use sickness in order to bring our spiritual focus on Him and on the need to repent.
Sickness or disease can remind us of just how fragile life can be and that life on earth is temporary.
During a time of sickness we may ask ourselves some pertinent questions about the meaning and purpose of life and if we are living a life that would be pleasing to God.
Therefore God can use disease and pandemics such as the Coronavirus to bring us into a state of humility and repentance. God can use sickness to change our perspective about life so that we turn to God instead of the temporary things of life.
The Bible says that it is appointed for man to die once and then comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27).
The Bible says that everyday our bodies are wasting away simply because we live in a fallen world. However, our focus should be on the spiritual things of God rather than on the physical life (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).
Therefore we will all physically die one day. Some of us may die in our old age. Some may die because of illness. Some may die due to an accident or natural disaster; Others may get killed. However, physical death awaits all of us.
The important thing is to know where your relationship with God stands right now.
Do you have a relationship with God? Do you know what Jesus Christ did for you on the cross?
Do you know that all your sins, past present and future can be forgiven if you believe and by faith accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour?
Do you know that Jesus Christ was our substitute who bore all our sins, iniquities and sickness on the Cross so that we may have eternal life? (Matthew 8:14-17; Isaiah 53:4-6).
Do you know that whilst our life on earth is temporary, there is eternal life that awaits them who accept Jesus Christ?
For the born again Christian, death is a transition from temporary life in a fallen world to eternal life with God.
Therefore deadly pandemics such as the Coronavirus must bring us to the realization that our current earthly life is temporary and that ultimately we must seek God and find our comfort and assurance of salvation in Christ alone.
Where do you stand with God? Will you be with God when you die? Are you a born again Christian?

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 – So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. 17 For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, 18 as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.

DO YOU WANT TO BE A CHRISTIAN or A FOLLOWER OF JESUS CHRIST???

1. ACKNOWLEDGE: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
This means that we have all broken God’s laws and God’s 10 Commandments like those mentioned in Exodus 20:1-17. For example, if you have told a lie; if you have stolen something; if you have lusted after somebody or if you have coveted. This means you are guilty of breaking at least one or more of God’s 10 Commandments. Breaking God’s commandments makes us sinners. The fact that we are sinners who have broken God’s law means that we are accountable to God who is the Lawgiver. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death BUT the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”
You must acknowledge that you are a sinner who has broken God’s commandments and that you therefore need Jesus in your life.

2. REPENT: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3), “Repent therefore and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19)
Repenting means: to change your mind; a sincere turning away, in heart, mind and action;
Therefore God wants you to repent of sinful values and of sinful living. God wants you to decide to
follow Him and to make Jesus the Lord of your life.

3. CONFESSION: “If we confess our sins. He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)
God is a forgiving God. God will forgive any sin that you have done because Jesus died for ALL your sins and to set you free from the bondage of all types of sin in your life.

4. BELIEVE: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
You must believe that ONLY Jesus can save you and restore your relationship with God. You must believe that Jesus is the ONLY way by which you can have everlasting life and escape from eternal separation from God. You must believe that Jesus died on the cross for you and resurrected from the grave.
“He came to His own, and His own did not receive him, But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name” (John 1:11-12)
By faith, You must receive Jesus as Your Lord & Savior and therefore; you become a child of God; you become born again; you become a Christian; you restore your broken relationship with God

Why Not Make Your Eternal Decision NOW?

We become born again Christians by GRACE through FAITH or TOTAL TRUST in Jesus Christ as our Lord & Savior (Galatians 3:26) & (Ephesians 2:8,9). Salvation is a FREE gift received through FAITH in Christ.

PLEASE NOTE: You can choose to pray in your own words. This prayer is a sample prayer and it is only an EXPRESSION of your faith, belief & trust in Jesus. Salvation is by GRACE through FAITH or BELIEVING in Christ Jesus as your Lord & Saviour.

“Lord Jesus, I thank You for Your love. I thank You that You died on the cross for me and resurrected so that I may have life through You.
I confess Lord that I have sinned against You and today I ask You to forgive me of all of my sins, past present and future.
Today I repent and have decided to follow you. Thank you for forgiving all my sins.
From this moment, come into my life Lord Jesus & take full control of my life. I want to follow You Jesus and I want to follow Your ways. Save me and from today, make me the person You want me to be.
I receive You Lord Jesus right now by faith. I trust You as my Lord and Savior – Amen”

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