For some Christians this question has become a source of significant contention. Whilst it is a difficult question in itself, there are actually far more weighty issues to consider that may actually help us to come to an answer. I would like to encourage us, as River of Life, to be guided by three key Biblical principles in this:

Firstly, ‘Welcome Everyone’.
Romans 14.1 says ‘As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions. One person believes he may eat anything, another believes he may eat only vegetables…let not the one who abstains pass judgement on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him.’

Whether we think we are strong or weak in faith, the reality is that every believer is accepted by God and is growing in his/her faith and knowledge of Christ. As such we are all to encourage each other towards The Lord rather than to judge each other based on outward things. As we ‘seek first his kingdom and his righteousness’ (Matt 6.33) all things follow in their correct place.

Let each believer make their decision on this question based on their faith and genuine relationship with The Lord, without fear of judgement or retribution from other believers.

I can imagine Paul saying “there is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, vaccinated nor unvaccinated for you are all one in Christ Jesus’ (Gal 3.28)

Secondly, follow Jesus not human precepts.
Col 2.21 says “‘Do not handle, Do not taste, Do not touch’…- according to human precepts and teachings. These have indeed an appearance of wisdom in promoting self-made religion…but they are of no value in stopping the indulgence of the flesh.”

The reality is that we can each evaluate the merits of taking the jab or not, but at the end of the day the jab itself is not of primary importance. What counts is the faith from which the decision is made and indeed a whole lifestyle – far beyond the vaccination – of worship and glory to God.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer said in his great book “Discipleship” that if Christ were walking the planet today, many that now claim to follow Him would probably not, while many that don’t follow Him now probably would.

Let us not prioritise options about vaccinations, but rather prioritise authentic relationship with Jesus and following Him wholeheartedly in all things.

Thirdly, Remember your Leaders.
As we have access to such an array of teachings online it is important that we are able to genuinely evaluate the merit of the different messages through real relationship in local church participation.

As Hebrews 13.7 says ‘Remember your leaders, those who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. Do not be led away by diverse and strange teachings for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace…’

As I have considered leaders who have gone before us, I have been inspired by Martin Luther who said during a great plague in Germany :

“Therefore I shall ask God mercifully to protect us. Then I shall fumigate, help purify the air, administer medicine, and take it. I shall avoid places and persons where my presence is not needed in order not to become contaminated and thus perchance infect and pollute others, and so cause their death as a result of my negligence. If God should wish to take me, he will surely find me and I have done what he has expected of me and so I am not responsible for either my own death or the death of others. If my neighbour needs me, however, I shall not avoid place or person but will go freely, as stated above. See, this is such a God-fearing faith because it is neither brash nor foolhardy and does not tempt God.”

Out of interest, as I considered all these principles myself, I came to a decision to be vaccinated. I felt it was essentially an expression of love to God and to others. That was my genuine conviction whilst not imposing it on anyone else.

Life is not easy, and the pressures of the fallen world are immense. The reality of the spirit of the Antichrist is all around as every notion that undermines the gospel vies for supremacy.

As I was vaccinated I believed it would enable me to be of greater use to The Lord in the moments I have left, however long or short that may be.

I hope these principles help you to navigate this question and through these life-changing days.

(Credit to Rob Gerhard and David French for the Luther and Bonhoeffer quotes)