That’s what somebody posted online yesterday. The writer went into great detail about the dietary laws of the Old Testament and how ‘consuming’ the injection would make a person unclean before the Lord. They sounded very wise, but they have erred from the Way in making flu shots into a spiritual issue. I replied with some sarcasm intended, asking if they also felt that it was necessary to have their sons circumcised to please God! I went on to write, “if you choose to have a flu shot or not to have one, just make the choice, but don’t wrap the decision in Bible verses that have nothing to do with flu shots!” (By the way, I have no opinion on that subject, one way or the other!)
My point is that disciples easily become diverted from the pure love of Christ by all kinds of arguments and issues. Rivers of ink have been wasted by Christians arguing the most insignificant points about how to please God. Serving God so quickly devolves from the two foundational commandments: “Love God with your whole being,” and “Love others as you love yourself,” into rules about how we dress, what we eat, when we worship, what songs we sing, which Bible we read, and other truly secondary issues. The Scripture warns about turning our life in Christ into a philosophical argument about right and wrong!
"See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ." (Colossians 2:8, NIV)
When a disciple becomes an issues person, pride enters in and division inevitably follows. Being ‘right,’ becomes much more important than being loving. Knowing something eclipses knowing Someone. In Bible Study last night, we did a survey of the various interpretative models for prophecy. As we talked about pre-millennial versus a-millennial timelines, about the nature of “Israel” and whether the Temple will actually be restored in Jerusalem, not a few people asked, “so what point of view is the right one?” It was not a lack of conviction that causes me to say, “None of them.” I have an opinion and can make a strong argument for what I believe on the matters of the Second Coming of Christ, but better students than I can make good arguments for differing prophetic views. Humility acknowledges the importance of being charitable and allowing for the unfolding of God’s plan as the Day approaches!
Stay focused on Christ, disciple. Don’t let anyone drag you into arguments about truly secondary issues. The Bible says, "You have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. …having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.
Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ. Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with idle notions." (Colossians 2:10, 14-18, NIV)
The paradox of Christianity is the strength found in weakness.
The sinful who confess their failure, find grace.
The humble who acknowledge their insignificance become the wise.
The least who loves becomes the greatest of all.
The one who seeks to know Christ forgetting the laws of religion, finds true holiness. And so it goes!
So, are you going to get a flu shot? Let it be the issue it is – a medical one with the best advice not wrung out of some text in Leviticus, but given by your physician. I don’t think your decision, one way or the other, will effect your standing with God. It just might get you to His Presence more quickly if you make the wrong one.
Here’s a word from the Word. Keep it in mind today.
"If you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shuffle along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective." (Colossians 3:1-2, The Message)
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