For churches deciding whether or not to return to meeting for worship, specifically when there is still a do-not-meet-in-crowds order or advice that may seem to contradict US constitutional rights – here is a passage in the New Testament that ought to be studied as part of the decision process. 1 Corinthians 9:15-23 (NASB):
15 But I have used none of these things. And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one. 16 For if I preach the gospel, I have nothing to boast of, for I am under compulsion; for woe is me if I do not preach the gospel. 17 For if I do this voluntarily, I have a reward; but if against my will, I have a stewardship entrusted to me. 18 What then is my reward? That, when I preach the gospel, I may offer the gospel without charge, so as not to make full use of my right in the gospel.
19 For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a slave to all, so that I may win more. 20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, so that I might win Jews; to those who are under [a]the Law, as under the Law though not being myself under the Law, so that I might win those who are under the Law; 21 to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, so that I might win those who are without law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak; I have become all things to all men, so that I may by all means save some. 23 I do all things for the sake of the gospel, so that I may become a fellow partaker of it.
The apostle laid aside his rights in order to love, serve, and relate to the people to whom he preached the gospel.
I recently read an article in which the writer (I could not find his name on the article) warned Christians against worshiping an idol of personal safety and cited examples in the New Testament of persecution and death for the sake of the Gospel. What makes it difficult is determining the difference between facing hardships for the sake of the Gospel and making foolhardy chances.
That is a difficult dilemma. There’s no hard, fast rule or principle available to determine the answer in all situations, except listening to the Spirit, obeying, and acting out of love. But I don’t think that’s the kind of issue Paul was addressing or that I’m seeing with some churches. Paul was giving up his own personal rights in order to effectively deliver the gospel to as many people as he could. I hear of pastors and churches demanding the right to meet. I’m thinking they ought to weigh the option of giving up that right in order to show their communities that they care about people’s safety. “Become as one under the COVID restrictions in order to win those under COVID restrictions.” Of course it must be genuine love.