This article has provided me the opportunity to articulate a position that I haven’t yet taken to express, either in written format or on social media platforms, and also not extensively and deliberately with people around me.
It took a bit of thinking to get this piece going. I guess that was the case because I was, and still am, very passionate about the convictions I’ve come to hold around the sensational talking point that is Covid-19.
Without a doubt, and with many likely to agree, the divide between those who advocate for and those that stand against having the Covid-19 vaccination, is as big and as important as any disagreement can segregate.
Without intending it to be, the disagreement that arises from this subject can easily take on a life of its own and lead to fierce and unpleasant conclusions for many relationships. Relationships between spouses, siblings, friends, and even relationships within the broader Christian Faith, and by extension, those within your Christian denomination and your local church.
I am always tempted to give my opinion on the matter. When a moment arises, my friends and family will quickly attest to the eagerness I employ to mete out my inquiry into the Covid-19 saga.
At this time, however, I need to engage all, particularly those within the body of Christ, not as an advocate for my personal take on the matter at hand, but as an ambassador of the Kingdom of God.
I feel like this endeavor is tough, but I am aware that how I feel can sometimes cloud a perfectly clear situation for which a remedy already exists that can bridge this great divide between the so called “vaxxed” and “unvaxxed”.
What would it take for people to disagree and still be able to remain civil and respectful? Is it possible to still be friends after fiery discussions? I’d like to think the answer isn’t a complicated one, and while that may be true in concept, putting it into practice can prove to be easier said than done.
In the book of Romans, the apostle Paul spoke a very persuasive stance when dealing with two types of people that belong to the same household of faith yet hold very opposing perspectives that influences fervently their individual consciences.
In the 14th chapter, the 2nd verse opens, “One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables.” Make of this verse what you may, but the bottom line reasonable persons will agree upon is that we have presented here two perspectives; one person that will enjoy a high protein meal at Spur family restaurant and another who enjoys a nutritious sandwich made of leaves and salt. Paul encourages these two types of people to find common ground in the 3rd verse, “The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.”
Paul continues in the 5th verse, “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.”
The last verse I want to zone in on is the 6th verse that I believe strings together the differing cords of individual conviction: “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.”
If you believe truly that your conviction to either have or decline the Covid-19 vaccine is “unto the Lord”, good for you. To exercise respect and live outside of contempt and judgement of one another, number one, accept people’s decision and secondly, practice living in harmony and godly friendship. This won’t be an easy road, but with less carnality, more of God’s responses we will learn to accept and implement.
Lastly, at times, with growth and exposure, the perspectives contrasted in the above scriptures can change. And if or when this happens, the inclination of the 6th verse above will keep us honest and humble enough to unlearn and relearn as we grow in our journey of Faith in Christ. May the Love of and for God, the knowledge of God’s eternal Word and the guidance of His Spirit, lead us always.
Author’s note:
This piece is written for the benefit of most people whose interest in the covid-19 vaccine and its risks and/or benefits are only casual and as a matter of how they may feel on the subject.
There exists, however, a side of discussion to this prodigious subject where greater elaboration and deliberation is needed to be expounded upon where the role of prophecy is employed and allowed to aid in bringing direction. There are mysterious works of darkness in operation around the world whose works eludes the casual at heart. And at that level, the body of Christ must prepare and equip the saints for what is believed to be revealed in this last day.