Faith and Vaccines
I’ll start with all the disclaimers. Lord knows how politicized the whole vaccine and masking debate has become. Most everyone has already made up their minds and have their justifications for the choices they are making. I hear the concerns of people who don’t trust the vaccine and are wary of anything that smells like government. I also hear the frustration of people who can’t understand why so many are unwilling to do their part to combat this public health crisis.
It is my job to make sure that Faith is a faithful steward and good neighbor. It is also my job to lead by example, to teach scripture, and to give you biblical tools to guide you as you make important ethical choices, like whether to be vaccinated. Personally, and as your pastor, I support public calls for masking and social distancing as efforts to combat the global COVID-19 health crisis. I am vaccinated, and I urge the people of Faith, if they are physically able, to be vaccinated as well. Here are three biblical principles that inform my actions and attitude:
For the sake of others “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive. No one should seek their own good, but the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:23-24).
For the sake of the gospel Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible… To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
For the sake of becoming more like Jesus This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth (1 John 3:16-18).
I urge everyone to pray for a swift resolution of this pandemic. I urge everyone to show support for the tireless efforts of so many health care professionals, hospital staff, and first responders. I urge everyone to be slow to judge and quick to show compassion. And I humbly urge everyone who is physically able to get the vaccine: for the sake of others, for the sake of the gospel, and for the sake of Christ Jesus.
Your servant in Christ,
Pastor Doug