The True Vaccine

“Are you going to get the vaccine?” That seems to be the question that everyone is asking these days. Vaccines put antibodies into our system that helps build up our immunity to certain viruses or diseases. There are many different opinions and positions that people take on the issue but ultimately it will come down to a yes or no answer for each of us.

While a vaccine may give us temporary or even complete immunity from certain viruses or diseases, our faith in Christ gives us immunity from the eternal consequences of sin. Yes, we do have to face the earthly consequences of our sin but our eternal victory is secure. Like a vaccine, putting faith in Christ ultimately comes down to a yes or no answer for each of us.

Galatians 5: 16-25 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.

When we become Christians, instead of getting a vaccine, we get the gift of the Holy Spirit which then lives inside us. Scripture refers to it as our “helper” and the Spirit helps us in our battles against sin. Christ has won the war for us but we have to fight individual battles against sin with our ally - the Holy Spirit. The passage above contrasts the “acts of the flesh” (the bad dog) against the “fruits of the spirit” (the good dog.)

We must regularly feed the “good dog” to help us win our battles against the “bad dog.”

I have a challenge for you. Sometime this week when someone asks you if you are going to take the vaccine, build your response about the true vaccine that we have been given as Christians against sin. It’s a great opportunity to share your faith with someone. I’d love to hear about it.

Stay hungry,

Big E