I originally wrote this as an article for the Family Life (my church's newsletter) on March 24th 2020 but I feel it has a message for everyone during the Covid-19 virus pandemic.
Even though we have not been able to meet together as the church we are still with each other in the Spirit as the church.
In the early church letters were vitally important. Apostles like Paul and John were on the move spreading the Good News of Jesus. They would arrive in a town, teach as long as they could and then move on. Sometimes they were misunderstood and weren’t able to correct that misunderstanding in person. Sometimes an unexpected issue would arise and they weren’t present to help.
In those times of absence letters were sent. Paul, Peter, James, John, Jude and the author of Hebrews all wrote letters to churches to encourage, teach and clarify. These authors knew they weren’t physically but were with them in Spirit.
At least twice Paul writes about this:
For though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and delight to see how disciplined you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. - Colossians 2:5
For my part, even though I am not physically present, I am with you in spirit. - 1 Corinthians 5:3
He was unable to be with them but through the Spirit was able to be present. This was not some kind of Holy Spirit Facetime or Skype. Instead through the Spirit he is encouraging the Colossians or he is backing up the Corinthians with a hard decision.
The same is true with us today. You need to stay home to keep yourself and others safe from Covid-19. Unlike the early church you can gather around a screen at home and worship with us. You aren’t alone because we are together in the Spirit. You are with us and we are with you in the Spirit!
