Monday 24th August, 2020

TOPIC:Social Distancing, the spiritual dimension

Written by Pastor Smart B. Maduagu

Key Bible text: 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with
those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart (NKJV).

Among what we are to do in this COVID 19 period to be safe is maintaining a six feet distance from
others known as social distancing. This is to reduce the chances of catching the virus and spreading it to
others through coughing, sneezing and close contact. This is because infection of COVID 19 often lead to
death.

There is another thing that leads to death, it is called sin (Romans 6:32). It is disobedient to the law of
God. We are to be at distance with it. Don’t dialogue, negotiate with sin. When you follow God’s
command you will be free from sin because sin separates us from God. Sin surrounds us every day, it
kills more than Covid 19. Joseph was surrounded by the sin of idolatry, lie, fornication etc in foreign
land as a slave. The house of Potiphar was blessed because of Jospeh. He was enjoying the favour of
man. Still he knew when to flee and be at distance (social distancing) with sin. When he was tempted by
the wife of Potiphar, he gave her social distancing by running away. He need not be in the presence of
sin or else, he will catch sin and spread it to others. He must have applied 1 Corinthians 6:15 “Do you
not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make
them members of a harlot? Certainly not!” NKJV.

Don’t play with sin. It has the power to defeat you if you get very close to it with confidence in your own
might.

The story is told of a rich man looking for a driver and three persons were recommended and they
attended the interview. His first question was, "How close to the edge of a bridge can you drive without
going over?" One of the would-be drivers said, "One foot." The second said, "I will drive very carefully
and slowly by the edge." The third said, "I will keep away from the edge of the bridge as far as I can."
The third person was employed by the rich man because being away as far as possible from the point of
danger will make you free from the danger. If you undervalue the strength of your enemy, you will be
defeated. Always stay far from sin spot like drinking palour, immoral sites, overeating, etc and the sin in
your heart, the imagination of lust and evil. Don’t forget you are the way you think. Ellen G. White says
“An upright character is of greater worth than the gold of Ophir. Without it none can rise to an
honorable eminence. But character is not inherited. It cannot be bought. Moral excellence and fine
mental qualities are not the result of accident. The most precious gifts are of no value unless they are
improved. The formation of a noble character is the work of a lifetime and must be the result of diligent
and persevering effort. God gives opportunities; success depend upon the use made of them (Patriarchs
and Prophet, p.223).

PRAYER POINT

1. Lord, make me to be at distance with all forms of sin.

2. Pray that you shall be an encouragement to others to run from sin.

3. Pray that those who have been infested by the virus of sin will be set free from it.

4. Pray that those who are overcoming sin will continue to be victorious.