Our Spiritual Vaccine
Hebrews 11:1 New International Version (NIV) tells us all, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.”
There are so many things we experience in our natural world that remain invisible to the naked eye. We cannot see the wind, but we feel breezes and so we know unequivocally the wind exists. With our eyes, unassisted by microscopes, we cannot see atoms, electrons and molecules, but we know they exist. There is a confidence that comes with the assurance of knowing, that even though we cannot always visually perceive what is going on in our reality, we have no doubt of the existence of what we cannot see because we have confidence in science, technology and intellect. At a time when people debate the efficacy of vaccines whether for influenza or COVID-19, we remind ourselves that vaccines often inoculate from the devastation of microorganisms that intend to do us harm, even though we cannot see them.
As the world continues to grapple with the devastating effects of COVID-19, I am reminded that an even greater virus exists in the spiritual realm. The virus I speak of is as old as the fall of man; it is simply sin and disobedience. Just as science has developed vaccines to strengthen our immune systems and inoculate us against the horrible affects of disease and viral destruction, God has given us a vaccine for sin and disobedience. The vaccine is unwavering faith in the unseen God and commitment to live by His commandments.
Hebrews 11:6 NIV proclaims, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” Believing in a God that exists beyond our ability to perceive Him with our natural senses is difficult for many. Yet, ironically, taking God at his Word and believing Him, pleases God and increases our faith. Every year I get the flu vaccine. I have some knowledge about how vaccines work, but I am not a scientist or a medical doctor. However, because of the proven track record of medical accomplishments and objective data, I take my vaccine believing it will work.
All of the stories in the Bible, the testimonies, the prayers, the scripture, the admonishments, all serve to provide a wonderful bedrock of a proven track record that we can most assuredly believe what God has to say. The sixth chapter of Ephesians goes into detail about how we are to take the shield of faith as a weapon to quench all of the fiery darts of the enemy of our souls. Sin and disobedience are devastating. In the natural world, some people who have no medical reasons, are obstinate and refuse to take vaccines, even though they are inundated with headlines and pictures of the devastation that viruses can bring. Again, some people have legitimate medical reasons for why they may not be able to get a vaccine for a particular illness. But, for people who are simply being stubborn it is a sad thing to watch. It is a sad thing because I know people will die and get sick unnecessarily so. Don’t let this happen to you in the spiritual realm. Study God’s Word. Read it. Pray over it. Meditate on it. It is our vaccine to the devastating twin plagues of sin and disobedience.
Every spring, we are reminded of Passover, when the angel of death, passed over all those who were covered by the blood of the lamb. If you have not been “vaccinated” by the proverbial blood of the lamb, meaning, accepting Christ and being washed in his blood, consider doing so expeditiously. Time is of the essence. Psalms 119:18 NIV says, “Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.” Dear one, we have a vaccine in Jesus Christ. No one has to die in sin and disobedience to God. Let the Lord Jesus Christ open your eyes and give you clarity. If you have strayed, you need a “booster”. You still belong to Him but you need to immerse yourself in His Word. He will give you guidance and you do not have to perish. The choice is yours. Choose life!
Elder Jerome Woods, II is the husband of Alana M. Woods and is the son of the late Jerome Woods, Sr. and Larina Woods. He is a Washington, D.C. native and associate Elder at High Calling Ministries pastored by George W. Hawkins, Jr. Elder Woods is a graduate of The George Washington University (1994) where he received his Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with minors in Sociology and Latin Classical Humanities. Elder Woods received his Juris Doctorate in 1997 from The Catholic University of America, Columbus School of Law.
