Dear Elim Grace,

Let’s be honest: Do I pass judgment on the one who has (or hasn’t) gotten the vaccine?

Let’s narrow it down further: Do I pass judgment on my brother and sister in Christ who has (or hasn’t) gotten the vaccine?

Paul asks us in Romans 14:10, “Why do you pass judgment on your brother (or sister)?” There are practical behaviors Paul has in mind, decisions and acts of obedience to Jesus. It’s not the quality of the disciple’s faith or trust in Jesus that’s the focus, but the conduct of their faith.

To “pass judgment” is to come to a conclusion. Paul is warning them (and us) to not jump to any conclusions about someone’s faith in nor obedience to Jesus. Rather, the final conclusion and determination about every disciple, every matter they face, and every decision they make belongs to The Master, Jesus. “Each of us will give an account of himself to God.” (Rom. 14:12)

Each Christian, then, must decide for him or herself whether or not they will get the COVID vaccine. Getting the opinion of 2-3 trusted medical professionals, the opinion of close and trusted family and friends, and searching the Scriptures and praying to God is sufficient for such a decision to be made.

The reality, though, is that not every disciple will make the same decision. So, “let not the one who eats (gets the vaccine) despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats (gets the vaccine), for God has welcomed him.” (Rom. 14:3) And since God has welcomed him or her, we are to welcome them as well! (Rom. 14:1)

To “welcome” means NOT to make them feel barely tolerated and seen as second-class citizens. That’s what our culture does. To “welcome” in the kingdom of God means to receive them with warmth and true fellowship. Are you willing and able to welcome your vaccinated brother or sister in Christ to your unvaccinated table? Or vice versa?

Christians who choose to get the vaccine should do so in faith and Christians who choose to not get the vaccine should also do so in faith (Romans 14:23). And having done so, both sides should bear with and love one another, not reject and hate one another. “With (our tongue) we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:9-10)

Dear Elim Grace, half of our opinions wouldn’t matter half as much as they do if we were off social media. Social media engulfs the heart and enflames the tongue. It makes us opinionated beyond both faith and reason. But the spiritual brother and sister in Christ is one controlled by and filled with the Spirit of God in both faith and conduct.

Let’s be honest: do I pass cold judgment on my brother or sister who has (or hasn’t) gotten the vaccine? Or is the Spirit of God leading me to warmly welcome them anyway?

Pastor Jonathan