Conscience and the Covid Vaccine

Over the past several months, I've had a number of conversations with Christians who have encountered conflict in their homes, extended families, and workplaces, over the issue of the Covid-19 vaccine. In some cases, visitation of grandchildren is at stake. In others, it's keeping a job, or a spouse's concern for the other's health (I've been asked to tell someone that they need to get vaccinated, when they wouldn't listen to the pleas from their loved one). Mistrust abounds- for the political establishment, for the media, for government agencies. And now, with the FDA approving one of the vaccines this week, for those 16 and older, more mandates will be coming to an employer near you. For some who are reading this, the issue is as simple as doing what seems best for your own health and for others in society. You hear the messaging that the vaccines work, that this is the way out of the Corona-wilderness, and the only concern you should have is for the minor side effects of a sore arm and a little grogginess. What's the big deal? 

For others, it's not so simple. There are a multitude of concerns holding back, not just Christians, but a decent percentage of the population. Statistics vary, but there is still around 30% of the adult population who have not rolled up their sleeves. And in spite of the prevailing message from many in the popular media, that percentage isn't occupied only by Trump-supporting bumpkins that fit the narrative. See what I mean by watching this. (I had to chuckle a bit that the woman in the video said she was a goat, though the Lord's condemnation fell on those animals at the judgment. Anything, I guess, than to be the wrong kind of sheep.) The vaccine-hesitant, or vaccine-opposed, is made up of all shades, from all places, and from both parties...though yes, the largest concentration does seem to come from warmer climes and redder states. And though I can sympathize with the concerns that any regular Joe from fly-over country may have with being told to do something he doesn't want to do, my main concern is for Christians who understand that every decision they make will be held in the balance and weighed by their righteous Lord in Heaven. 

I disagree with the simplistic notion that to get vaccinated is the only right thing to do- that it is naturally the obvious, and only, fulfillment of the Lord's command to love your neighbor- and that anyone who doesn't do so must, then, receive a leery eye (or lashing tongue) reserved for such neighbor-haters. I've met some Christians who are genuinely motivated by the desire to take care of their neighbor's health, and this was their reason for getting the vaccine. I find that admirable, and a beautiful application of the Lord's command. But I don't see that, then, as an imperative for all to get the needle. There is plenty of room for disagreement among brothers and sisters in Christ as to what is right and wrong. The New Testament has nothing direct to say about vaccinations and herd immunity, though it does give guidance about matters that fall under matters of opinion. Like us, the early Christian community had their disagreements. Some of it involved foods, and what was appropriate for a Christian to eat ("Can I eat meats that have been involved in some sort of idolatrous ceremony?"). Others saw some days as more worthy of honor than others ("Since I came out of Judaism, I still want to keep the Sabbath. Shouldn't everyone honor that day like I do?"). The Apostle Paul's solution to these issues of dispute was to appeal to the individual's conscience. Each person, Paul said, "should be fully convinced in his own mind" (Rom. 14:5). One man could eat, but his fellow Christian refrain from doing so, and each believe that he was doing what honored the Lord. Both could have a clean conscience about his conviction and decision. And make no mistake about it, one of these men would have believed it to be a grave sin to have eaten that meat (or to have not kept the Sabbath). The other man might have thought nothing of it. And though Paul would have had his own opinion as to what was best, his command was aimed at keeping unity, and unstained consciences, in the church despite differences. 

Final judgment over questionable concerns would be left to the Lord of the conscience. It was not the duty of the Christian to judge his brother in these matters. A man who knows he will have to stand at the judgment seat of Christ one day, maybe in the near future, and have all of his intentions, thoughts, opinions, and actions laid bare, will put the judgments of others in the appropriate category (or wastepaper basket)- whether personally (in churches, in the workplace, on social media, or in your home) or broadly (from the news media, government spokespersons, etc.). The key in this section of Scripture, is that the Christian's motivation is to honor Christ. So, concerning the issue whether one should partake, or not partake, of this particular vaccination, each Christian needs to see his/her decision in light of one's life belonging to Christ and His Kingdom. "Am I seeking to honor Him in this?"

Later in that same chapter, Paul makes a couple of other statements that have application here: "Do not for the sake of food destroy the work of God" (Verse 20). Our salvation does not hinge on what we choose to eat or not eat. Neither does it hinge on a person's vaccination status. One has a right to get it, or refrain from it, as he/she sees fit & wise under the government of Christ. Let us not, for the sake of medicine (or however else it might be framed), destroy the work that God has done in the salvation of His church, to unify a people in His love, under the blood of His Son. Keep Christ the main thing, and maintain the unity of peace and the bond of the Spirit.

And finally..."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" (Verse 23). Paul envisions a man whose conscience tells him that he should not eat certain foods...and having been convinced that it's fine for him to do so, takes a bite. In that moment, his doubts are confirmed by an accusing conscience. He did not act in faith, and therefore has sinned. Coercion, in its varied forms, is the tool being used to bring the hesitant to the nearest vaccine clinic. Money and lottery tickets are distributed by municipalities. Shame and ostracism are levied from individuals and platforms. Mandates are coming down from state and federal governments. My concern, as a pastor, is for the people of God to make decisions because they are "fully convinced" and can "proceed from faith," not by being coerced into sin. Sometimes, loving your neighbor will mean not coercing him to go against his doubting conscience.

Everyone wants to move on from the cultural moment (well, I hope that's true anyway). For those of you who are facing pressure to make difficult decisions, you have my prayers right now. This is a challenging moment that affects your family, your finances, and your faith. I don't know what's motivating you to take this paritcular position, or that one (or one of indecision), but my hope is that you will do what you truly believe best honors Christ, and as much as can be possible, that you will be fully convinced of it, and maintain a clean conscience before Him.

Slowing Down for a Few Minutes on Sunday

 Yesterday, I was sitting in the balcony as people began coming in for the Sunday worship service. I saw an older man come in and hug two boys who need encouragement and love from a male role-model. There was joy on their faces, and his. Then a younger man snuck up behind a teenage girl and playfully startled her. I appreciate a good scare. I'm not sure this one counted as one, but I liked his effort. As I moved down to the floor toward the front stage, I looked back, and an older man and woman were dancing together to the worship music that was playing, like this was completely normal, right in the middle of a group of others coming in...I don't take time to watch the people each Sunday as they come in for worship, but on this particular day I was thankful I did. It reminded me that God is doing something wonderful among regular people, who love Jesus, and call themselves Caz Church. This particular group of people would have never been brought together in any one place at the same time, except by the grace of God. The thing that draws us to one another is Jesus, and He is leading us from what we were to what we will be...Currently, we are not buttoned up. We're a bit messy. I would say that a good number of the folks are not well-practiced at hiding their problems (or their personalities). They are who they are, and it's colorful, and it's beautiful, as seen from the right lens. We are not a tightly run organization, for better or worse, with catch-phrases and slogans. Paid professionals don't lead all of our ministries. Gifted volunteers, who believe the truth of God's Word, drive most of what gets done, to the glory of God. We're a simple, loving group of people that Jesus has brought together to teach the Gospel, and pray, and serve in the city of Buffalo. There's a great deal that we (and me especially) could do better, but whatever we are that's good, and pure, and admirable, and holy, has come directly from the hand of the Lord. I thank God for the people here, and pray that He will bring more, as He calls them from out of the world into gatherings like ours; and I'm thankful He gave me a few minutes to slow down on a Sunday morning and take note of His love that is in the midst of these people in South Buffalo. It was a gift of His grace and kindness, and it was just what I needed.

Disappointment with God?

Are you discouraged, or struggling with disappointment? Do you ever turn that disappointment toward God, and express frustration toward Him? In his commentary on the book of Romans (and on chapter 8 in particular), James Montgomery Boice writes some encouraging words that I hope will lead you to rejoice in your Savior, and in His work in your life, as you are wading through waters that will, at times, seem overwhelming.

Someone sent me a book by Philip Yancey, a free-lance author and editor-at-large for Christianity Today, titled, Disappointment with God. It grew out of counseling sessions the author had with young Christians, all of whom were disappointed with God and whose complaints boiled down to three accusations: (1) God is not fair; (2) God is hidden; and (3) God is silent- he does not answer prayers.

I am sure these accusations are genuine, and I appreciate Yancey's answers. He replies that "fairness" would send each and every one of us to hell; that God unveiled himself as fully as possible in the person of the historical Jesus Christ; and this it is out of his periods of silence that God draws forth the precious perfume of human faith.

Yet what stuck with me most about the book is its title; Disappointment with God. For I found myself reflecting, particularly since I was beginning at the same time to work through this great eighth chapter of Romans, how any Christian could possibly be disappointed with God.

Disappointed with God? When He sent Jesus Christ to die for us so that we might escape His just wrath and condemnation? 

Disappointment with God? When He sent His Holy Spirit to free us from our own sinful and debilitating natures and join us to Christ? 

Disappointment with God? When He has made us His very own daughters and sons, with all the privileges that come from it? 

Disappointment with God? When He has drawn us into a great cosmic drama of redemption, in which the heavens and earth have a part? 

Disappointment with God? When the Spirit intercedes for us, conforming our ignorant and incomplete prayers to the good, pleasing, and acceptable will of God?

Disappointment with God? When He has set in motion an invincible chain of saving action, beginning with His affectionate choice of us in eternity past, proceeding through His predestination of us to be saved from sin and conformed to the image of His own blessed Son, His effectual calling of us to faith in Jesus as the Savior, and justification, and ending with glorification in which all the blessed purposes of God toward us are fulfilled? 

Disappointment with God? When He has fixed such a lasting love upon us that nothing in all creation can separate us from it? 

Disappointment?

Brothers and sisters, what are we thinking of? Or is it that we are not thinking? Or thinking only of ourselves? Perhaps our disappointment (if we have it) means only that we are unhappy because God has not done exactly what we wanted Him to do when we wanted Him to do it, regardless of the fact that He has a much better plan for us and is actually working it our day by day, and will until the end of time.

Quotation from: James Montgomery Boice, Romans, Volume 2: The Reign of Grace, Romans 5:1-8:39 (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1992)

The Year of Fallow Ground and Hidden Fruit

This is a (modified) message I sent to our church family today, that I hope the Lord will use to encourage the flock at Caz, but also anyone else who needs it during these pressing, but providential, days..

Church Family,

It has been such a blessing to see a good number of you back in worship on Sunday mornings. As thankful as I am for that, I also look forward to a time when our entire congregation can gather together again- not only for worship, but for Bible study, for children's ministry, for service to the community- to be a whole family again. And though I lament these times, I am also strengthened in the knowledge that the Lord has a purpose in all we are experiencing as a church. In the Old Testament, there were years where the ground was to rest according to the will of the Lord. Every seventh year, there was a "Sabbath" year, and then one year after seven of those had occurred there was the fiftieth year called the "Jubilee" (Leviticus 25:1-22). During those "Jubilee" years, the people were released from certain debts and requirements, and the ground wasn't tilled and worked as it normally was. I'm sure there were a good many people who, during those years, didn't see that as the greatest wisdom. They would have wanted the normal routines of business and agriculture to continue as usual, for the sake of the "economy," or for the personal comforts that those routines provided. But God was teaching them to trust in Him during those years- that He would provide and care for them, since they were His people, not the world's. A good Father cares for His children, and there is no Father like the Lord. Now, I don't claim to know exactly what our God is doing during these difficult days with great detail and prophetic insight, and I do understand that the year of Jubilee (and the Sabbath year) is no longer mandated, or in effect, for God's people. However, I can see this as something akin to a Jubilee in the wisdom and purposes of God, because I know that He is teaching me (us) to trust Him during a year when normal routines are broken, and where the economy is restrained by people forced to rest. He will provide for His people, and teach them to depend on Him. This year may not have been on our calendars, but it was planned on the Lord's. Satan has a great deal of power in this world as its "prince" (Eph. 2:2), and, no doubt, he plays a part in all of this, but the "earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therin" (Ps. 24:1). All economies, all nations, all governments, and all peoples are His. He has a purpose on the earth and will work all things according to the counsel of His will (Eph. 1:11)- not according to my timeline, or anyone else's. I may want to charge forward with the regular routines of ministry (and I do), but I willingly and joyfully submit to the Master who is so much higher and holier than a lowly servant like me. He is not required to tell me all His plans or His timelines. I am grateful to know I simply belong to One as good and wise as He, and am loved more than I deserve. His grace is enough. Yes, I look forward to something more "normal," but I also look forward to a time when I can see these days with a little more perspective, in the life of our church and in our home. Surely what is now hidden from my sight will become plain, and what was left fallow will, in His wisdom, have proven fruitful. Greater insight may not be mine until I'm with Him, but I will have learned, in the meantime, that He is my Sustainer, my Deliverer, and my Rock, similar to those who were faithful to keep, and celebrate, those Sabbaths and Jubilees so many years ago. And knowing Him more deeply through it all will be more than enough for me.

The Small Voice of God

The Truth of God is a Pillared and Jeweled Palace

I have often sat, studying a passage of Scripture, and it is as if a world has opened up to my eyes and heart that I had never visited before, and could not have, unless the Holy Spirit gave me passage. In those moments, truth became an overwhelming delight, and my desire was to be able to express what I saw, though no one was around to see it with me. Reading today from Charles Spurgeon's comments on Galatians 1, he wrote beautifully, about experiences like this, what I couldn't have said myself.

Have you not often been surprised and overcome with delight as Holy Scripture has opened up, as if the gates of the golden city had been thrown open for you to enter? I am sure that you did not then gather your knowledge from men, because it was all fresh to you as you sat alone with no book before you but the Bible, and yourself receptive, scarcely thinking out matters, but drinking them in as the Lord brought them to you. A few minutes’ silent openness of soul before the Lord has brought us in more treasure of truth than hours of learned research. The truth is something like those stalactite caverns and grottoes of which we have heard, which you must enter and see for yourself if you would really know their wonders. If you should venture there without light or guide, you would run great risks; but with a blazing torch, and an instructed leader, your entrance is full of interest. See! your guide has taken you through a narrow winding passage, where you have to creep, or go on bended knees! At last he has brought you out into a magnificent hall; and when the torches are held aloft, the far-off roof sparkles and flashes back the light as from countless jewels of every hue! You now behold nature’s architecture; and cathedrals are henceforth toys to you. As you stand in that vast pillared and jeweled palace, you feel how much you owe to your guide, and to his flaming torch. Like this the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, and sheds light on the eternal and the mysterious. This he does in certain cases very personally. Then he fills us with complete forgetfulness of all our immediate surroundings, and we commune only with the truth. I can well understand how philosophers, while working out an absorbing problem, have seemed lost, and oblivious to all the world besides. Have you never felt a holy absorption in the truth while the Spirit has filled you with its glorious vision? It has been so with many of the saints while taught by God. They are not likely to give up to popular clamour what they have received like this.

God's Ways Do Not Change

I came across this today, and wanted to share...It's a quote from J.I. Packer's well-known book, Knowing God. I'm thankful for the God who hasn't changed in the way He deals with man.

He continues to act toward sinful men and women in the way that he does in the Bible story...Still He blesses those on whom he sets his love in a way that humbles them, so that all the glory may be his alone. Still he hates the sins of his people, and uses all kinds of inward and outward pains and grief’s to wean their hearts from compromise and disobedience. Still he seeks the fellowship of his people, and sends them both sorrows and joys in order to detach their love from other things and attach it to himself. Still he teaches believers to value his promised gifts by making them wait for those gifts, and compelling them to pray persistently for them, before he bestows them. So we read of God dealing with his people in the Scripture record, and so he deals with them still. His aims and principles of action remain consistent; he does not at any time act out of character. Our ways, we know, are pathetically inconsistent-but not God’s.