Is the Virus a Judgment from the Wrath of God?

At least weekly, a Christian publication, blog post, sermon or podcast, or website strives for relevance by relating circumstances of the day with biblical events and teaching. “Is the coronavirus a result of God’s wrath against individuals or nations?” Thought-provoking content stirs our interest and increases readership. Should we see the virus as a judgment from God?

The question stirs impassioned answers on either side of the issue. “No! God is a God of love, He would not treat people in such a cruel way.” A case can certainly be built around the love and the mercy of God. “Of course, the answer is ‘Yes!’ The Bible is filled with examples of the wrath of God’s judgment upon people.”

There are certainly Old Testament examples of the wrath of God. From the flood in the days of Noah to the Jericho walls tumbling during the time of Joshua, the Old Testament is filled with incidents showing God punishing people because of their sins. Lest we think that God’s people would be exempt, we need only be reminded of God’s wrath upon Israel at the base of Mt. Sinai to know that it happens. Sin demands judgment.

Could God discipline people through a disaster like the coronavirus? Certainly. Is every disaster the result of a God angry at sin and sinners? Not necessarily.

It may seem simplistic, but it is important for us to remember the only reason we know these were the acts of God is because of the inspired revelation of God. We wouldn’t know it was from God if it were not for the Bible. Natural disasters do not come with a Post-it^© note saying “Gotcha. signed, God.”

The Bible never encourages us to speculate about events being the judgment of God. Such discussion is not productive, and may actually do us more harm than good. This seems to be the case right now with the coronavirus. There are some communities which are suffering more than others about the virus. We would especially want to be sensitive to those who are experiencing grief and pain.

Jesus sheds some light on this subject in the gospels. In Luke 13:1-5, Jesus responds to a conversation about 18 people who had died because a tower fell on them. Instead of saying their sin was to blame for the tragedy, Jesus pointed out that “unless you repent you too will perish.”

Notice what Jesus did and didn’t say. He did not say that if you don’t stop sinning, a tower (or some other disaster) will fall on you also. He did not make the connection between the tragedy and God’s judgment. Instead, He did say that unless you repent of your sins, you will also perish.

What was most important to Jesus was the end result – the ultimate outcome. Will you perish or will you live for eternity with the Father? The determining factor – what makes the difference where you spend eternity – is sin.

Pay attention to one other thing that Jesus did not say. He didn’t say “Unless you stop sinning, you will also perish.” He knows we could never accomplish that task. Instead He says, “Unless you repent, you will also perish.”

All of us stand on the same ground – whether we will head to heaven or descend to hell – we all sin. The difference is what we do with Jesus.

In the end, the virus – or a fallen tower – is nowhere near as important as that.