In this post, I am only addressing Christians who are wondering if getting the COVID-19 vaccination is a spiritual matter. The Covid 19 vaccine is not a spiritual matter and should not be manipulated into one. Every adult needs to do what he or she feels is best for themselves, their family and the general good of others/society.
If this were a spiritual matter, I would not be speaking in this fashion but would rather be saying to focus on the teachings of Jesus before family and others. To forget about mother, father, sister, brother, children, etc. and only focus on the teachings of Jesus.
Matthew 10:37-38 – Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.
Luke 14:26 – If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.
This is not the case in this physical issue. However, this changes if the government, by law, makes the vaccine mandatory. Then we must as Christians, obey the law and our government since what the government would be asking of us is not against the teachings of Jesus. Peter states this:
1 Peter 2:13-17 – Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution,b whether it be to the emperorc as supreme, 14or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good. 15For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. 16Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servantsd of God. 17Honor everyone. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the emperor.
We must not use the teachings of Jesus and the freedom we find in it, as a cover for doing evil and rebellion. Paul states this concept also.
Romans 13:1-7 – Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2 Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. 4 For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience.
6 This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. 7 Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Titus 3:1-2 – Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.
However, as long as the decision is left up to us, then we have the freedom to do what we think is good and right, after weighing up all the facts (scientifically and morally).
We must not demonize those who have chosen to remain unvaccinated as the government has left the choice up to each individual. As long as the unvaccinated are not breaking the law, we should not sin in judging our brother/sister.
James 4:11-12 – Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge your neighbor?
When it comes to unspiritual matters like this, we are not to judge one another and especially not hate each other.
Romans 14:4, 10-13 – 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…10 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. 11 It is written:
“‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’”12 So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
13 Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
By hating our brother or sister due to their choice on vaccination, we are placing a stumbling block in front of them. What is a stumbling block?
Matthew 16:23 – But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
Mark 8:33 – But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
When we set our minds on unspiritual things, teach them to others and insist upon these things as a priority, then we are setting our minds on the things of man and not of God. This is how Satan works to create hate and division. We must not insist on vaccination as if it were a spiritual matter. This is to place a stumbling block in front of another believer, as it is a matter of man and not God.
Colossians 3:2 – Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
I do understand the situation with rising hospital capacities, ICU admissions and delayed surgeries but this is the government’s responsibility and not the unvaccinated. They must change and make the laws as they see fit because they are the ones we have appointed to make these kinds of decisions. It is what they get paid for.
Romans 13:6 – This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing.
It is their decisions, not the decisions of the unvaccinated, that has led to the health crisis we are facing right now. There were many other options available to our leaders regarding removing certain covid-19 restrictions over the summer. The current health crisis is a direct reflection of their decision making skills and has nothing to do with those who have chosen to remain unvaccinated, particularly since they have been given the option.
The government must not incite hate amongst its citizens (vaccinated and unvaccinated). Now that would become a spiritual matter since we are meant to love one another. This is a direct commandment from Jesus and he did not add any exception to this commandment.
Romans 13:8 – Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
As Christians, we must pray for our government leaders as the scriptures state, and not hate or disobey them. We must pray that God would give them the wisdom to discern right from wrong in every situation and not rebel against them.
1 Timothy 2:1-4 – I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
This is what God advised the children of Israel when they were in exile with non-believers as their rulers.
Jeremiah 29:7 – Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.”
Daniel 2:20-23 – and said:
“Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.21 He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others.He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. 22 He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him.
Psalm 22:28 – for dominion belongs to the Lord and he rules over the nations.
We must have faith in the power of prayer:
James 5:16-18 – Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. 17Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! 18Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
We must pray about everything.
Phillipians 4:6-7 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Overall, we must remember our purpose, so that we do not stumble over the things of man. Getting vaccinated is an issue of man and not of God.
Philippians 3:20 – But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ,
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