Vaccinated With Christianity

A lot of people are wanting to be vaccinated with the H1N1 influenza vaccine. The H1N1 (or ‘swine’) flu is wreaking havoc in some nations, and it is feared by some that the United States could itself see many deaths from the virus if vaccines aren’t readily available.

There are presently two types of vaccine, one an injection (containing a killed virus), the other a nasal spray (containing a weakened virus). Both of them act in basically the same manner, stimulating the immune system in a way that it thinks it's had an influenza infection before -- thus, when a person comes into contact with influenza viruses, their immune system will be able to defend it and keep them from getting ill. More plainly, these vaccines give a person just a dab of the virus in hopes it will keep them from catching the real thing.

We wonder if some people haven’t been ‘vaccinated’ with Christianity, having gotten just enough of it to ‘keep them from catching the real thing.’ They’ve learned just enough to know they need to be baptized, attend the services of the local church, give of their means, and another thing or two -- But they have never really ‘caught’ Christianity.

If they had ‘caught’ it, why then can they not get along with their brethren? Why, then, are they not spiritually minded?

How is it that some would never miss a service, but wouldn’t think twice about backbiting or gossiping about their brothers and sisters? (Romans 1:29-32)

How is it that some would never think about coming to a Lord’s day assembly in anything but their finest clothes, yet give little thought to their inner man? (1 Peter 3:3-4)

How is it that some would always make sure they give 10-20% of their money into the collection, but they find it impossible to give kindness and forgiveness to others? (Colossians 3:12-13)

How is it that some would feign care and concern for others, but down deep they are “busybodies” and “meddlers”? (1 Peter 4:15; 1 Timothy 5:13)

Have YOU been vaccinated with Christianity? Have I? Or have we ‘caught the real thing’?

“You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39).


--Mike Noble