VACCINATIONS: A BIBLICAL FRAME FOR GOD HONORING DECISIONS
In light of the current controversy surrounding the topic of covid vaccinations, here is a suggested biblical purview for help in moving forward. My prayer is that this will help the community of faith make the best decision possible with respect for everyone’s personal situation in mind. Our guiding text comes from the book of Romans, which some consider to be the Apostle Paul’s foundational treatise of systematic theology. It relates to some of the controversial issues of his day, with parallels that can be drawn to these current times. I have therefore inserted in parenthesis the vaccination analogy where I thought it could apply in principle. Though not perfect because no analogy is, I believe it is close enough for the purpose of application. A Christ follower’s best move is to let the Word of God and the Spirit of God inform and guide, rather than emotions, cultural trends or opinions. Do the natural research yes, but run that collective through the lens of scripture, process through prayer and then make the most God honoring decision possible.
“As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything (take the vaccine), while the weak person eats only vegetables (rely on proven health protocols). Let not the one who eats (takes the vaccine) despise the one who abstains (from the vaccine), and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats (takes the vaccine), for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:1-4 ESV)
“So do not let what you regard as good be spoken of as evil. For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking (vaccines or no vaccines) but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men. So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding. Do not, for the sake of food (vaccines) destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats (whether one takes or does not take the vaccine). It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble. The faith that you have, keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who has no reason to pass judgment on himself for what he approves. But whoever has doubts is condemned if he eats, because the eating is not from faith. For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:16-23 ESV)
While there is much to be gleaned from the above passages, here are a few thoughts that seem to surface with the current controversy in mind:
After being duly educated, do what you have faith for and feel peace about. Let me say clearly that I respect and honor those who choose not to take the vaccine and I respect and honor those who do.
Here’s the main thing: let God’s Word, prayer and counsel tandem with science and data to fuel your faith not your fears.
Let scripture guide you and the Holy Spirit speak to you. God is our ultimate and sovereign source.
It takes faith to take the vaccine, and it takes faith not to. Do what your sense of faith leads you to do, not what the pressure of fear forces you to do. As Colossians 3:15 says, we are to let the peace of God rule in our hearts.
Let God’s calling, assignment, purpose and mission for your life act as the ultimate big picture frame.
Personally, the Lord has led me to take the vaccine in light of my calling to take the gospel to other nations, and to help train leaders in those nations, most of which would not allow entry for unvaccinated individuals from other parts of the world. I do not share this to imply that this should be your position. Indeed, I am aware of the research content stating the possible risks for and against vaccinations. However, given my broader missional passion the mandate of the Great Commission to make disciples in every nation made the Lord’s leading clear for me. I have faith that God will protect me from any possible dangers the vaccine may present, but I am also prepared to accept whatever may happen otherwise. God will always be good no matter what.
As we approach the remembrance of 9/11, I recall that most chose not to fly immediately afterward in the face of uncertainty regarding safety. I had a long standing commitment at the time to minister in another country and chose to make the trip knowing it was still the will of God. Essentially, he said to my heart: “The safest place is in the center of my will. It is my will that you go, and they want you to come, now more than ever. I will protect you and everyone else on the plane.” It was as clear as a bell. The thing is, I don’t recall anyone else being on that flight, and I could do whatever I wanted on the aircraft while receiving first class treatment. It became my most memorable trip ever and the ministry impact on the ground was profound.
My point to be clear is this: He can protect you whether you take the vaccine or not. For some, the center of God’s leading will be not to take the vaccine, and that position should be commended as a demonstration of Spirit led obedience and God honoring faith.
Paul put it this way: “For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.” (1 Corinthians 9:19-23 ESV)
In other words, he would do whatever it took no matter what it looked like or how it was perceived to spread the gospel. In this hour God is calling us to do the same as Christians regardless of vaccination status. I have made this my personal template, and adopted the same mindset for the sake of the gospel. I make clear however, that while this is a fit for me personally, it may not be a fit for you. If so, know that as you ask God to lead you in a direction that brings you peace, I can assure you he will.
Here are some final thoughts:
We must remember that the Lord calls us if necessary to give up our lives for the sake of the gospel. Consider that Jesus limited his divinity, and released his entitlements to take on total humanity and die as a criminal on the cross for our sins. He surrendered his life that we might live. Paul and the saints throughout history died as martyrs, a word that relates to being Christ’s witnesses in Acts 1:8. This reminds us that a true conviction is evidenced when one is willing to bear the consequence for taking a stand for that conviction. Challenges to what we believe serve to clarify at the deepest level what we really believe and that clarity helps us move forward with resolve and without regret.
We should not judge or condemn others but respect their stand. Let righteousness, peace and joy prevail to preserve the unity of the household of faith. Jesus said in his High priestly prayer in John 17 that our unity will send a powerful witness to the world. It was so important he prayed passionately for that unity. We cannot let this or any other issues bring a division that will destroy the church’s gospel witness. Unity remember, is not uniformity but includes being able to agree to disagree for a greater cause and a grander mission. Often the language of unity in the spirit of synergy embraces “both/and” above “either/or.”
The example of world history is that all pandemics end, and this one will too. I am told by those in the know that pandemics last no longer than two years and we are at this writing, a year and a half into this one. The question is therefore not whether this crisis will end but rather what kind of church will we be when it ends. How we live today in the light of God’s Word will go a long way to determining that. Meanwhile, the world we are called to win watches.
