Yesterday, I stopped by our local medical clinic and a flyer on the door said that flu shots were now available. I, like many of you, have wondered why the flu has seemed to go dormant during COVID. What happened to the flu?
But what struck me as most interesting is that flu shots aren’t as controversial as Covid vaccines. I don’t remember ongoing debates about whether to get the annual flu shot. Or those who chose not to get the flu shot being villainized even though the flu is extremely contagious, hospitalizes thousands, and results in many deaths. Still everyone seems to concede that whether you get that jab is completely up to you and your doctor.
During flu seasons, the healthy didn’t wear masks and schools and businesses all stayed open as usual. The White House and the media weren’t in cahoots that if you didn’t have the flu shot you were a bad person, a murderer, probably a Republican, and should lose your job and livelihood.
Fast forward to 2021 when a vaccine that scientists, medical professionals, and we the people admittedly know very little about its effectiveness or side-effects is being touted by the White House, the media, and many converts as the savior of the universe.
Let me stop right here and say that I am not anti-vax. I am anti-mandates! I am anti-government draconian overreach. I am anti-forced medical treatment. I am anti-vaccine passports.
I am pro doing research and prayerfully making an educated informed decision about what you choose to put into your own body.
My Pastor’s Thoughts
Several weeks ago, our pastor started his sermon sharing how he had paced the floor and struggled with the topic God wanted him presenting to us. I understand that struggle because I confront it every week when deciding the topic for this blog.
He said he felt called to talk about the “elephant in the room.” I wondered which of the many elephants in our world today he meant. We’ve been studying in the Book of Acts, but I could see from the study notes that this Sunday morning we were going to be in Romans 14:1-12 and his topic was “Freedom of Choice.” He went on to explain that the choice he was referring to was whether to get the vaccine and how we as Christians should relate to each other about vaccines.
He pointed out that Paul wrote Romans 14 to a culture of Jewish and Gentile Christians in conflict. At issue was what food they could eat and days to set aside for worshipping God. Today we have the great divide between vaccinated and non-vaccinated, even in the church.
But verses 4-10 underscore why we are not to judge others’ health decisions. It’s between each person and the Lord.
4 Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
5 One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. 6 Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. 8 If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. 9 For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister[a]? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.
As individuals, we’re all held accountable to God for our own choices and decisions not for those of others. Don’t boast about being right, strive to be righteous. Paul explained this concept in 1 Corinthians 4:1-5.
This, then, is how you ought to regard us: as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the mysteries God has revealed. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.
The Gospel Outranks COVID
We can certainly each have our own opinions, as I do, but we need to let the Holy Spirit guide our speech and actions with each other and with the world. I’ve said many times that I personally wish Christians were more diligent about sharing the Gospel than their political, Covid, and vaccine opinions.
It’s a given that we’re all going to die at our appointed time and of course we want to take care of ourselves and our health as best we can, but what’s most important is knowing that we will spend eternity with Jesus. And that should be our main concern for those God puts into our lives!
Yes, we want to protect them from Covid and any other earthly harm, but what about their forever-heavenly life?! Are they ready to die at their appointed time? Have we shared Jesus with them? Do we pray as hard for their spiritual health and wellbeing as we do for their earthly health?
I once had a conversation with my oncologist who said he was an atheist. I told him your goal/purpose is to save my earthly life and I’m so grateful; but my goal/purpose is to help others experience salvation for their eternal life.
God gave us free will. He doesn’t mandate that we all become Christians and accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior for now throughout eternity. It’s our choice. The most important decision we’ll ever make to save our life is ours alone. No one can make it for us.
Also, no earthly person can replace or have the authority of God even though unleashed power and ego can make some misguided people feel like they are a god. In speaking about vaccines, Biden said last Thursday in a speech to the nation, “This is not about freedom or personal choice,” as he mandated that all businesses with 100 or more employees must have all employees vaccinated. Does that sound like the President of the free world or a dictator trying to outrank God and eliminate our free will and choices?
What about all the employees who’ve already had Covid and have antibodies precluding the need for a vaccine? Doctors were trying to harvest their antibodies for blood transfusion treatments last year. Now we don’t even hear about that. What about the health care worker shortage exacerbated by firing employees who don’t succumb to this tyrannical rule? Or small business owners barely staying afloat? Or teachers who choose not to be vaccinated causing a teacher shortage?
I do believe we’re political pawns as the real goal of Biden is to take credit for having a large percentage of Americans vaccinated, even if by coercion. While ironically, he’s encouraging millions of unvaccinated illegals to flood our southern borders!
Biden ended his speech with, “My job as president is to protect all Americans.” Unfortunately, we’ve yet to see Americans be Biden’s priority. If he really cared about Americans’ safety, he would close the borders!
What we have seen instead from the White House and their media arm is an obsession with creating divisiveness and dissent in America. We cannot, we must not, let that infiltrate our churches. The Holy Spirit is the spiritual lifeblood of Christians and we need to let our speech, thoughts, and actions be under the Spirit’s direction. I do believe, along with many others, that spiritual revival is the only hope for America.
We are not each other’s enemy. Satan is our enemy! “The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Satan wants to destroy the church and what better way than to have us infighting over a vaccine instead of uniting to share Jesus during a time when many are living in fear and uncertainty.
I don’t think God is done with us yet, but He needs His army acting as one under His command. So whether you get the jab or you don’t, here’s a closing word for you from the apostle Paul.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Eph. 4:9 NLT
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? 2 Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Phil. 2:1-2 NLT
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Thank you Janet, this was very sensible and just what we need to hear! You are right that our main concern should be our eternal destination! And to take as many people with us to heaven as possible.
I hope many people read this and take it to heart. I’m going to pass it on ☺️
Thank you for sharing Susan. Sometimes Christians get our priorities shifted and sifted by the world’s talking points. We just need to remember the main thing, the Gospel, is always the main thing!
EXCELLENT, absolutely one of your best blogs ever!
Interestingly last week I had just read a scripture that so coincided with your blog. Today a similar thing occurred. I have read Galatians 5:14 many, many times and have used it in conversations, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Yet today as I read Galatians 5:15, a revelation occurred and I had to confess for making rash judgments against anyone: family, friend, or neighbor. Galatians 5:15 says: But if you are always biting and devouring one another, watch out! Beware of destroying one another.
Thanks for writing such a timely blog, all I can say to it’s entirety is Most Excellent!
To God be the glory Kathy! Yes, I’ve seen Gal. 5:14 used in favor of vaccinations when actually they only protect the person getting one. Thank you for sharing verse 15.
Dave noticed in my original blog I repeated Rom 14:9 twice instead of verse 10 which I meant to include: “You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat.”
I’ve since corrected it here.
This subject has involved all of us and all have their own decisions to make. The forcing of taking the jab is indeed a division on many levels.I choose to research and listen to many of the FrontLineDRS
who are unafraid to stand out even at the peril of loosing their livelihood. When this is confirmed to be safe and has gone through yrs of study many will be more trusting.Your article is excellent,thanks.
Thank you for confirming the importance of relying on our own research and having peace with our decisions.
Very timely and important to heed. This is about the 3rd or 4th time I have heard or read about this topic. We can’t change other folks’ minds. I believe that there is much spiritual blindness and deafness within the church which is causing division. Rather than getting into arguments, stand your ground with your conviction. Unity will not be accomplished if we try to push our convictions down others’ throats. As a registered nurse, I am very concerned that there is no evidence that the vaccine is safe. Nor is there any rationale to vaccinate someone who has natural immunity after having Covid. The severe complications and deaths of thousands after receiving the vaccine are not being reported. All of this is very frightening. We must rely on our own personal convictions and not be like a lamb led to slaughter. As believers, let us remember to concentrate on sharing God’s love and pray for eyes and ears to be opened.Thank you, Janet, for your stand and your sharing from your heart.
Thank you Penny for providing your perspective as a medical professional. It’s definitely a choice that needs much prayer and discussion with your doctor but not judgement either way from Christians. So many things for the church to take a stand on together against the evil we’re watching in our government without getting bogged down in letting COVID divide us. That in itself is deadly.