This is why we can't have nice things.

The Situation:

The world is in turmoil and chaos as our various government officials flounder in the wake of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Various lockdown-type orders are in effect and every aspect of modern civilization threatens to unravel as economies are in upheaval, businesses and their employees languish without income or supplies, hard-hit medical systems are overwhelmed, and people are generally in a collective mental health crisis. It's a nightmare for everyone, personalized for each one of us to be sure, but no one's having a fun time right now. Reliable information is becoming increasingly difficult to parse from the noise of misinformation, misunderstanding, conspiracy theories, and outright charlatans, and I find myself bombarded with demonstrably false statements and absolutely ridiculous rhetoric, echoed by people I respect and admire. Even with cold, hard, peer-reviewed, and confirmed data and facts readily accessible, I am hearing more and more people parroting outlandish conspiracy theories that simply make no sense.

As emerging data analysis and research shows even higher transmission and mortality rates than previously understood, people are insisting all the more vehemently that the virus is no more than an overblown flu, which was somehow nearly universally seized upon by elected officials the world over to seize control over the people to ambiguous (but no doubt nefarious) ends. Even though nobody is happy with them, no matter what they do in this lose-lose situation, all of these politicians decided that this was the time to make every last one of their constituents as miserable as possible, to sabotage their own economies, and to make sure that not one person thinks favorably of them in the next election? Yeah, that definitely makes more sense than that crazy theory floating around that they've reluctantly agreed with the vast majority of medical experts that these temporary emergency measures are necessary evils if society is to survive an unprecedented global health crisis. (Time to turn in my tin-foil hat, I guess; I must be really bad at this conspiracy stuff. Here I thought that we were supposed to follow the money or something, but that can't be right...)

The levels of confirmation bias are higher than nursing home infection rates at this point. Laughably bad arguments are being made based on often demonstrably false information to support the idea that we need to reopen society immediately. Yes, while the federal stimulus was relatively quickly distributed, state unemployment payments and aid for small businesses have been lackluster and extremely slow, and that is a huge problem for a large proportion of Americans, which is only getting worse as expenses pile up and income doesn't. Yes, our economy finally appears to be entering the recession Wall Street has been warning us about for the past couple of years. Yes, domestic violence and suicide rates have skyrocketed, and have never been taken as seriously as they should have been even before this crisis. However, none of that matters if you get sick and die, or survive but incur a new chronic condition in the process, or you have to live with finding out that you were the one who caused this to happen to someone you love. The economy doesn't matter if no one can get medical attention when needed because the healthcare system is overwhelmed with "nasty flu" patients.

Moreover, I'm encountering the increasingly disturbing attitude that nothing and no one matters besides the principles of individual freedom (and this is coming from a capital "L" Libertarian), and that anything short of Ayn Rand-level near-anarchy is outright socialism. Somehow social distancing is pointless because everyone is going to get the virus anyway, even though it's not actually that contagious or essential workers would be dropping left and right by now; almost no one is really even dying from it, and they were all on death's doorstep anyway; masks aren't even necessary, but all incoming mail and groceries must be disinfected before coming in the house, and on and on the doublespeak continues. One excuse after another with the selfish goal of not wanting to be told what to do or having to put their own needs aside in deference to someone else's.

Why I even bother:

At this point, I've been working on this post off and on (mostly off) for three weeks now, actually purposely procrastinating on finishing it (weird flex on myself since I normally procrastinate despite my actual intentions, but okay). I've been wrestling with my motives, getting heated and then cooling off again, doing tons of research and showing my work by providing links to my sources for additional reading, effectively writing both a historical account and a sermon, constantly editing for tone, racking up a word count in excess of 4,000, and now, finally removing the first half entirely since it was just unnecessary backstory, and frankly, because the people who need to hear this don't seem to me to be all that interested in the facts anyway.

I was about to finally just give up on the project entirely, when I came across this verse during my weekly Bible study lesson:

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
––2 Timothy 4:1-5

I had been conflicted as I worked on the upcoming sections of this post as to whether I should say anything at all, in the interests of maintaining peace and avoiding unnecessary strife (and boy, do people get heated about this topic quick), but this passage made it clear that this was something I had to see completed. I've long given up on avoiding conflict with people, and generally love a good debate anyway (which is fortunate, given my knack for playing devil's advocate and appreciating nuances in opinion), but I tend to have a bit of trouble with maintaining a civil tone in written formats, and I didn't want to just kick over a hornet's nest out of boredom when I could, you know... not do that. So, moving forward, I'll just do my best to tread softly in hopes of being actually helpful to your spiritual growth, and not just hypocritically giving into idle complaining about people who idly complain.

So without further ado...

Let's go back to verse 2 again.

Reprove: reprimand or censure (someone).

Rebuke: express sharp disapproval or criticism of (someone) because of their behavior or actions
Exhort: strongly encourage or urge (someone) to do something.

So much for my excuse of not wanting to start a fight...

My original point:

This global crisis is not about you.

Nobody wanted this to happen, and we're all just trying to get through it. All of this complaining and murmuring and rebellion only serves to bring everybody down with you, and it puts people's actual lives at risk when you decide, or encourage others, to act recklessly and lawlessly and violate public health orders. Furthermore, it betrays an unfathomable level of willful ignorance, arrogance, and selfishness in your character. Whatever your justification, if you choose to behave in such a shameful manner during one of the greatest crises in history, you are deserving of nothing short of the severest censure and the complete loss of respect of everyone around you for your attitude, and criminal liability if you end up causing someone else to become ill, God forbid severely, or even fatally. Shame on you!

But let's dial it back a bit...

Let's assume for a moment that you actually are more qualified than the epidemiologists and other experts advising our government leaders, and that your own scientific research findings show that you do, in fact, know better than they do. We'll further assume that for whatever reason, the mainstream media just happen to be ignoring your no-doubt impressive list of credentials and achievements and even outright censoring your good-faith attempts to inform the public of the truth (darn those "fake news" witch hunts).

Well... I hate to burst your bubble, but in that case, you are still inciting even more panic and anxiety in the poor, ignorant people around you who lack this special knowledge you believe you possess (and whose slavishness to fear you mock), and you are therefore causing more harm than good.

Alternately, let's assume that you are right about the gross government overreach in the freedom of private citizens, and that whatever the danger the virus actually poses to you and the people around you, you have the right to go where you want, and do what you want, when you want, and with whom you want, with whatever protections (or lack thereof) you choose. Let's also assume that since everyone possesses these same rights and accurate risk assessment, that by choosing to go out as you do, they are implicitly giving their consent and/or waiving your liability should they become infected by you (and vice versa). We can even further assume that all the members of your household are able and willing to give the same consent, should they become infected in this manner.

This does not account for those who are exposed to the virus for lack of choice; those essential workers who can't quit their jobs or cut back their hours (or even work sane hours), for instance, or those who only venture out in extreme necessity. Never mind the people who become infected later as a direct result of their exposure.

Here's what the apostle Paul had to say to the Corinthian church regarding a much less potentially lethal matter:

Now concerning food offered to idols: we know that "all of us possess knowledge." This "knowledge" puffs up, but love builds up. If anyone imagines that he knows something, he does not yet know as he ought to know. But if anyone loves God, he is known by God. Therefore, as to the eating of food offered to idols, we know that "an idol has no real existence," and that "there is no God but one." For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth--as indeed there are many "gods" and many "lords"-- yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. However, not all possess this knowledge. But some, through former association with idols, eat food as really offered to an idol, and their conscience, being weak, is defiled. Food will not commend us to God. We are no worse off if we do not eat, and no better off if we do. But take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak. For if anyone sees you who have knowledge eating in an idol's temple, will he not be encouraged, if his conscience is weak, to eat food offered to idols? And so by your knowledge this weak person is destroyed, the brother for whom Christ died. Thus, sinning against your brothers and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. Therefore, if food makes my brother stumble, I will never eat meat, lest I make my brother stumble.
––1 Corinthians 8:1-13

Honestly, I could just end this right here... but I'm not going to. Read the passage a couple of times and really think about the implications for a moment before moving on to a lighter note.

Perspective is a lovely hand to hold:

Let's move forward with some encouragement from Scripture regarding trials. Here, in his first epistle to the church (written just months before the start of intense persecution of the church under Roman Emperor Nero), Peter issues a call to stoicism, holiness, and brotherly love, warning against grumbling and wrongdoing:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith--more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire--may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. ... Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, "You shall be holy, for I am holy." And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God. Having purified your souls by your obedience to the truth for a sincere brotherly love, love one another earnestly from a pure heart, since you have been born again, not of perishable seed but of imperishable, through the living and abiding word of God; for "All flesh is like grass and all its glory like the flower of grass. The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever." And this word is the good news that was preached to you.
––1 Peter 1:3-7, 13-25

Later in this letter, he circles back:

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, so as to live for the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for human passions but for the will of God. For the time that is past suffices for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry. With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of debauchery, and they malign you; but they will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For this is why the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does. The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies--in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? And "If the righteous is scarcely saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a faithful Creator while doing good.
––1 Peter 4:1-19

James provides his own exhortation regarding trials and their purposes and pitfalls (written about a year before Nero's persecution began):

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. ... Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God," for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
––James 1:2-4, 12-15

A couple of common themes run through all of these passages beyond the obvious hope in Christ to see us through even the hardest of times: that of resisting selfish, sinful temptations under pressure, and of loving one another. One more thing comes up: a warning to make sure that you haven't caused your own suffering by wrongdoing. Pay attention; this will be on the quiz.

Obedience to authorities:

During the time of Jesus' public ministry, it was not uncommon for Roman soldiers to compel non-Roman citizens (which included most of the Jews) to carry their armor and gear for them for a mile; they were not required to bear their burdens any farther than this, but they did not have the option to refuse. (This would directly violate our Constitution's Thirteenth Amendment protections against involuntary servitude.) Here is what Christ had to say about it:

"Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. ...
And if anyone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."
––Matthew 5:5, 41

Paul later commanded the believers in Rome (Nero had only just become Caesar; full-scale persecution would begin ten years later) to obey their authorities, explaining the divine purpose of these governmental institutions:

Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God. Therefore whoever resists the authorities resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment. For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. Therefore one must be in subjection, not only to avoid God's wrath but also for the sake of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.
‭‭––Romans‬ ‭13:1-7‬

The writer of Hebrews (written in the same year as 1 Peter) includes a similar exhortation to submit to authorities willingly, and to live lives radiating a love and contentment found only in Christ:

Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Remember those who are in prison, as though in prison with them, and those who are mistreated, since you also are in the body. ...
Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." ...
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they are keeping watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no advantage to you.”

––Hebrews 13:1-3, 5, 16-17

1 Peter also includes the following instructions to believers to conduct themselves with honor in order to preempt any accusations of wrongdoing against them, reminding them of the difference between suffering for Christ and enduring deserved punishment (notice how he calls out the disingenuous usage of the word "freedom" as an excuse for sin):

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. Be subject for the Lord's sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor. Servants, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to the good and gentle but also to the unjust. For this is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly. For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a gracious thing in the sight of God. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in his steps. He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth. When he was reviled, he did not revile in return; when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
––1 Peter 2:11-25

I bristle at authority. One of the first questions I ask in job interviews is whether there is a dress code or restrictions on hair color or dramatic makeup. I rant about school dress codes at least once a quarter and I don't even have a kid in school yet. I believe that nearly every law that restricts people's ability to purchase just about any kind of weapon is unconstitutional and thus invalid. I support decriminalization of drug possession for personal use. I'm not a huge fan of borders, and do NOT get me started on our immigration system or walls. If I can manage to understand why it's important to comply with current public health orders, whether I agree with them or not, you can too. 

A tongue-in-cheek appeal to self-interest:

As if the explicit instructions in God's Word weren't enough to convince you of why you should follow these orders, here's some pragmatic advice from Solomon on why it's in your own best interest to do so (context stretched for comedic effect):

Whoever isolates himself seeks his own desire; he breaks out against all sound judgment.
––Proverbs 18:1

The prudent sees danger and hides himself, but the simple go on and suffer for it.
––Proverbs 22:3

Red Letters:

So now that we've explored why we must submit to these annoying restrictions, put our own "suffering" into perspective as it compares to the suffering of the early church, and remembered the faithfulness of the Lord to see us through, let's remember the purpose of these restrictions, and also our purpose as followers of Christ: looking out for each other rather than ourselves.

And Jesus called them to him and said to them, "You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many."––Mark 10:42-45 (cf. Matthew 20:25-28)

And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, "Which commandment is the most important of all?" Jesus answered, "The most important is, 'Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' The second is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' There is no other commandment greater than these.––Mark 12:28-31 (cf. Matthew 22:34-40)

When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, "Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. ...
"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. ..."If you love me, you will keep my commandments. ...
"If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another."
––John 13:12-17, 34-35,14:15, 15:10-17

Jesus prophesied of the last days before His return of the importance of vigilance, that we would continue in obedience to His commands diligently, lest we be caught in disgrace at His return:

"And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. ... "Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions. But if that wicked servant says to himself, 'My master is delayed,' and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
––Matthew 24:12, 42-51

 So What Now?

Jesus made it abundantly clear that His followers are to serve Him primarily by serving one another in love... but what does that look like, and what does that have to do with life during a pandemic? Let's look to the epistles for some clarification:

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

––Romans 12:1-18

First, we see a living sacrifice to God described as a life of service to others, characterized by a deep-seated joy and a natural overflow of positivity, even in the face of overwhelming negativity.

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
––Galatians 5:13-26

Just as Peter alluded to above, Paul exhorts the Galatian believers to examine their attitudes toward the concept of "freedom," urging them to make sure they utilize that freedom in a way that honors God and not as an excuse to indulge in selfish sin. We also see another warning against envy and conceit.

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. ... Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not become partners with them; for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true), and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them. For it is shameful even to speak of the things that they do in secret. But when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light. Therefore it says, "Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.

––Ephesians 4:1-3, 5:1-21

Again, Paul calls the church at Ephesus to live honorably for Christ's sake, following His example of humility and sacrifice. Instead of the self-centered discontent of the world, we are called to fill our minds and hearts with praise and thanksgiving, making wise use of the time we are given and avoiding idle chatter.

If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all. Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

––Colossians 3:1-17

The Colossians were reminded of their renewal through Christ and encouraged to put earthly concerns behind them and focus on the things of God, soaking up the Word of God, and letting it flow from us in the form of peace, love, and gratitude. This appears to be a pattern; who would've guessed?

Let all that you do be done in love.

––1 Corinthians 16:14

Pretty much precludes selfishness, doesn't it?

For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name in serving the saints, as you still do. And we desire each one of you to show the same earnestness to have the full assurance of hope until the end, so that you may not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

––Hebrews 6:10-12

A reminder that God rewards faithful obedience to His Word.

And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.”
––Hebrews 10:24-25

Huh. It's almost like the Lord wants us to focus on building each other up instead of feeling sorry for ourselves or something.

Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ... Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast to the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. ... For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

––Philemon 2:3-8, 12-16, 21

I'm not going to say this one is specifically directed at a bunch of Christians I know right now who are complaining about how horribly inconvenient this quarantine is for them, and how much they resent having their freedoms taken away for the sake of preventing the spread of an illness that kills people... but I'm not saying it isn't.

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

––James 3:13-18

This one goes out to the people who suddenly earned their PhDs in epidemiology a few weeks ago and now know so much more than the experts in support of strict containment measures, and like to compare their current misery to the relative freedom enjoyed by other states or countries that aren't locked down right now. If you were really that wise, you might have a better understanding of how distinctly unhelpful that kind of arrogant petulance is.

By this it is evident who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is the one who does not love his brother. ... By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers. But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. ... And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him. And by this we know that he abides in us, by the Spirit whom he has given us.
––1 John 3:10, 16-18, 23-24

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; if we love one another, God abides in us and his love is perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. By this is love perfected with us, so that we may have confidence for the day of judgment, because as he is so also are we in this world. There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love. We love because he first loved us. If anyone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen cannot love God whom he has not seen. And this commandment we have from him: whoever loves God must also love his brother.
––1 John 4:7-21

I don't have much to add at this point other than to say that I love you all, and I pray that somehow this may serve to correct and uplift rather than to tear down or discourage. Please understand that if I didn't care for your spiritual wellbeing, I would not be up at 3 AM on my birthday, starting to develop a migraine, to finish editing this now-less-than-2800-word post for your benefit, knowing it could well cause some of you to be quite upset with me and not want to come to my party. To which I say, you were invited anyway because it's not allowed. :P