The Biblical commandment regarding Vaccination

The Biblical commandment regarding Vaccination

What is the commandment that is applicable in deciding on the vaccination?
The Bible does not say "Thou shalt take the vaccination."

Nor does the Bible say "Thou shalt not take the vaccination."

Therefore it is clear that the LORD has given that choice to us and left that decision with us.

We cannot justify ourselves by taking the vaccination. Nor can we justify ourselves by not taking the vaccination. We cannot pat ourselves on the back and tell ourselves, "Well done! GOD is pleased with me because I have obeyed His commandment."

We are also not in a position to tell others " You have disobeyed GOD'S law by taking the vaccination" or "You have disobeyed GOD'S law by not taking the vaccination."

What then is the commandment?

We can come to the LORD JESUS today like the lawyer and ask Him with sincerity and He will speak clearly to us.

 But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, 

they gathered together. 

 Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, 

testing Him, and saying, 

 "Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?" 

 Jesus said to him, "'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.' 

 On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."

Matthew 22:34-40

The LORD JESUS further simplified the command to His followers who had literally experienced His love while they were with Him when He lived as a human being on earth.

 This is My commandment, 

that you love one another as I have loved you.

John 15:12

We are called to check our own motives and the attitudes of our hearts.

GOD'S commandment is 'LOVE' and it begins with GOD'S love in our hearts.

 There is no fear in love; 

but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. 

But he who fears has not been made perfect in love.

1 John 4:18

We must check our thoughts and heart against GOD'S commandment of love.

" Am I doing this to glorify the LORD Whose love has filled my heart?"

"Am I putting my selfish interests aside and making this decision in the interest of others?"

"Is my decision based on my faith or is it based on fear - fear of the virus or fear of the vaccination?"

In the early Church also there was a similar issue regarding circumcision. There were very strong views for and against circumcision. Interestingly, the LORD JESUS did not specifically speak about this matter, although He Himself was circumcised like any Jewish baby boy.

The apostle Paul, who Himself was a circumcised Jew, writes to the Galatian Church to whom this became an issue.

 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, 

and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 

Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, 

Christ will profit you nothing. 

And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised 

that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 

You have become estranged from Christ, 

you who attempt to be justified by law; 

you have fallen from grace. 

For we through the Spirit eagerly wait 

for the hope of righteousness by faith. 

For in Christ Jesus 

neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, 

but faith working through love. 

You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 

This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 

A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 

I have confidence in you, in the Lord, 

that you will have no other mind; 

but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, 

whoever he is. And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, 

why do I still suffer persecution? 

Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 

I could wish that those who trouble you 

would even cut themselves off! 

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; 

only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, 

but through love serve one another. 

For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: 

"You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 

But if you bite and devour one another, 

beware lest you be consumed by one another! 

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, 

and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, 

and the Spirit against the flesh; 

and these are contrary to one another, 

so that you do not do the things that you wish. 

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 

Now the works of the flesh are evident, 

which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 

idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, 

selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, 

drunkenness, revelries, and the like; 

of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, 

that those who practice such things 

will not inherit the kingdom of God. 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, 

longsuffering, kindness, goodness, 

faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. 

Against such there is no law. 

And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh 

with its passions and desires. 

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 

Let us not become conceited, 

provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians 5:1-26

 The Potter, the Clay, 

the mould and the tool

 "Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, 

You who seek the Lord: 

Look to the rock from which you were hewn, 

And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.

Isaiah 51:1

Our life on earth is preparation for Heaven.

We are the clay and our Heavenly Father is the Potter.

The LORD JESUS is the mould.

The Holy Spirit is the Water that softens the clay.

The tools our Heavenly Father uses in the process of moulding, by pushing us against the model mould are, adversities, sicknesses, difficult situations and difficult people.

The clay needs to be gently pressed against the mould to take its shape.

If the clay is hard, it needs more pressure.

Yielding to the gentle water of the Holy Spirit will keep the clay moist, soft and pliable, preventing it from cracking and breaking up. 

During the moulding process, every bump and groove in the mould becomes a dent and a ridge respectively, in the soft clay.

He Who had no sin became sin so that I might become the righteousness of GOD in Him.

He took the curse so that I could be blessed.

He made Himself poor so that I might become rich in Him.

He came down so that I might go up.

If my hope is Heaven and I want to shape up, I must learn from every pressure of the tool, allowing myself to be pushed towards CHRIST.

GOD does not expect me to push and strive against and change the situations or people He uses as His tools. 

I must not become bitter and hardened by tough situations.

I must not allow unforgiveness and hurt against the difficult, irritating and unreasonable people in my life to harden my heart lest I become like the tool and not like the mould! I must press into the mould and intercede for the tools.

"You have heard that it was said, 

'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' 

But I tell you not to resist an evil person. 

But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, 

turn the other to him also. 

If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, 

let him have your cloak also. 

And whoever compels you to go one mile, 

go with him two. 

Give to him who asks you, 

and from him who wants to borrow from you 

do not turn away. 

"You have heard that it was said, 

'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' 

But I say to you, love your enemies, 

bless those who curse you, 

do good to those who hate you, 

and pray for those who spitefully use you 

and persecute you, 

that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; 

for He makes His sun rise 

on the evil and on the good, 

and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. 

For if you love those who love you, 

what reward have you? 

Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 

And if you greet your brethren only, 

what do you do more than others? 

Do not even the tax collectors do so? 

Therefore you shall be perfect, 

just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Matthew 5:38-48

 who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; 

when He suffered, He did not threaten, 

but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously;

1 Peter 2:23

https://youtu.be/mVzITgOOJRE

"Come For Dinner!" 

 The Rapture

While hurrying with the last touches in the preparation of the dinner in the midst of setting the table, I call out to the family, "Dinner is ready! or, "Come for dinner!"

As there are only adults in the home right now, the response is not very enthusiastic nor quick. But when our three kids were young, in the evenings, while being involved with their homework and other activities, the children's appetite gets stirred, as the aroma from the kitchen reaches their nostrils. Then their ears are keenly open to the call for dinner! Their interest in what they are doing diminishes as their sensitivity to the 'Call for dinner' increases! 

The immediate, joyous response to my call would be, "Coming! I'm hungry. What's for dinner? Whatever it is, it smells so delicious!" This would be followed by a clamor to get to the dining table quickly!

Even as the children set their eyes on the meal before them, Dad leads the family in thanksgiving to GOD for His gracious provision and everyone digs into the delicious food. 

Even though tired, as a  Mum, I have great joy and fulfilment, watching our children enjoy the food I was able to prepare for the family. Not many things make Dad happier than to have all his children around him, lovingly, unitedly enjoying fellowship and food!

While I was on a call with our son who has since moved out and got married, I shouted out to my husband and the son at home, "Come for dinner!" Preshan, who heard that over the phone, remarked, "Oh, that sounds familiar!"

Are you familiar with the voice of the LORD? Are you used to immediately responding to the call of GOD? We'd better start practicing now so that it will be our habit to quickly respond to the promptings of the Holy Spirit if we want to be taken up! Letting go of the things we are attached to and the things we enjoy doing, is the big challenge! Let us practice and be ready.

 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Romans 8:14

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-- in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Corinthians 15:51-52

Then I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the birds that fly in the midst of heaven, "Come and gather together for the supper of the great God, that you may eat the flesh of kings, the flesh of captains, the flesh of mighty men, the flesh of horses and of those who sit on them, and the flesh of all people, free and slave, both small and great." And I saw the beast, the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him who sat on the horse and against His army.
Revelation 19:17-19

The Heavenly supper is now ready! The call will come shortly. Our Heavenly Father is waiting for many of His children who are yet to prepare themselves for that supper.

ARE YOU READY AND WAITING FOR THE CALL?

 Play Dough and molding

We are the clay in the hands of the Potter.

CHRIST is the mold. We have to be conformed to His image.

The Heavenly Father is the Potter.

           

Harder the clay, harder the mold has to be.    

The mold has to be harder than the clay.

JESUS is full of grace and truth.

He is the Rock on which we stand.

Softer the clay, easier the molding.

Dry and hardened clay cracks and breaks while being molded.

The Holy Spirit is the water of life Who wets and soaks us, 

keeping us moist, soft and pliable in the hands of the Potter.

 Show me the coin used for paying the tax." They brought him a denarius, 

and he asked them, "Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?" 

"Caesar's," they replied. Then he said to them, 

"Give to Caesar what is Caesar's, and to God what is God's."

Matthew 22:19-21

For those God foreknew he also predestined 

to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, 

that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.

Romans 8:29

 The CROSS

The cross of CHRIST leaves me with nothing to boast  - 

Circumcision, good works, preaching the Gospel with words of wisdom, keeping the law etc..

What is your reaction to the message of the cross?

Does it cause you shame?

Is it making you stumble?

Does it sound foolish?

Are you offended and angry?

It would be wise to check your own heart and change your attitude.

It is the only way to your salvation.

O LORD, open my eyes to see the unimaginable magnificence of the old rugged, ugly, cruel cross of my Savior.

When my mind begins to comprehend the glory of the cross of CHRIST,  I will be able to embrace the message of the cross. Then He will enable me to take up my cross to follow in His footsteps.

Then the making of the glorious crown of life for my head will also begin!

 Set your mind on things above, 

not on things on the earth. 

For you died, 

and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 

When Christ who is our life appears, 

then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Colossians 3:2-4

NO CROSS

NO CROWN

No Death, No Resurrection!

What did the LORD JESUS do on the cross for me?

The punishment of GOD that I had to bear for my sin, He took upon Himself.

• The crown of thorns for my sinful thoughts.

• The nails on the hands for my sinful works and for the omission of good works

• The nails on the feet for the wrong path I walk and the right path I refuse to walk.

• The humiliation for my  pride.

• Died to give me eternal life through the sacrificial shedding of His blood.

• The vertical beam reminds me that He bridged the gap between me and GOD.

• The horizontal beam reminds me that the walls of separation have broken, connecting me with all of mankind in love.

• He set the example for me to follow - To live selflessly in Him for others.

• The inscription on that cross tells me that the Man called JESUS of Nazareth is the eternal KING of kings and LORD of lords!

• If I serve Him, I will reign with Him eternally!

How do I take up MY CROSS?

There is overcoming power in the CROSS

 "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I tell you not to resist an evil person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Matthew 5:38-39

We should not resist people, not even the evil ones.

We must resist the devil, whose spirit and attitude manifests through people who are his agents.

We must resist responding and behaving with a similar attitude which will make us also the devil's agents! We must carry the attitude of the Spirit of GOD, allowing Him to work through us. This will manifest in humility, love, grace, wisdom, patience and selflessness.

The snare of the devil is to cause us to act and react not with faith, but with fear.

Another very catchy attitude of the devil is pride of which we need to beware!

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
1 Peter 5:8-9

 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble."
1 Peter 5:5

In following the way of the cross, we must guard our heart. To keep the attitude of the heart right, we must have a renewed mindset. The mindset is the stronghold. I have control of only my mindset, not that of others.

 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,
2 Corinthians 10:3-4

When I crucify the fallen nature of my self, I am following the LORD in the way of the cross.

Then my attitudes, actions and reactions will honor and glorify the LORD and will be towards the wellbeing of others.

This is the power of the cross. This is the example our LORD and Savior has set for us to follow.

 PRESENTS!

Look back at yesterday with thankfulness to GOD.

Yesterday is past.

Look forward to tomorrow with hope in GOD.

Tomorrow is future.

Receive today with joy and gratitude to the LORD.

It is PRESENT and it is a PRESENT from the LORD!

As you live it with praise, His PRESENCE will fill your heart 

and you will live in His glorious PRESENCE!

You cannot change yesterday.

You do not know what tomorrow holds.

You can make the PRESENT different

by dying to 'self' and denying 'self'.

You can change your attitude towards GOD and others now.

Then, life will be different tomorrow!

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: 

"Today, if you will hear His voice, 

Do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, 

In the day of trial in the wilderness,
Hebrews 3:7-8

Let your conduct be without covetousness; 

be content with such things as you have. 

For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." 

So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; 

I will not fear. 

What can man do to me?" 

Remember those who rule over you, 

who have spoken the word of God to you, 

whose faith follow, considering the outcome of their conduct. 

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Hebrews 13:5-8

Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, 

and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, 

will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Matthew 6:30

 'And now, carefully consider from this day forward: 

from before stone was laid upon stone in the temple of the Lord-

- since those days, when one came to a heap of twenty ephahs, 

there were but ten; 

when one came to the wine vat to draw out fifty baths from the press, 

there were but twenty. 

I struck you with blight and mildew 

and hail in all the labors of your hands; 

yet you did not turn to Me,' says the Lord. 

'Consider now from this day forward, 

from the twenty-fourth day of the ninth month, 

from the day that the foundation of the Lord's temple was laid-

-consider it: 

Is the seed still in the barn? 

As yet the vine, the fig tree, the pomegranate, 

and the olive tree have not yielded fruit. 

But from this day I will bless you.' "
Haggai 2:15-19

 And Moses said to the people, 

"Do not be afraid. Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, 

which He will accomplish for you today. 

For the Egyptians whom you see today, 

you shall see again no more forever. 

The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
Exodus 14:13-14

 The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone. 

This was the Lord's doing; 

It is marvelous in our eyes. 

This is the day the Lord has made; 

We will rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:22-24

 And Jesus said to him, 

"Today salvation has come to this house, 

because he also is a son of Abraham;
Luke 19:9

 And Jesus said to him, 

"Assuredly, I say to you, 

today you will be with Me in Paradise."
Luke 23:43

For He says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, 

And in the day of salvation I have helped you." 

Behold, now is the accepted time; 

behold, now is the day of salvation.
2 Corinthians 6:2

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What are my most important criteria in making decision?

Money Profit?

Time Profit?

Convenience and Comfort?

Self Glory?

Or is it GOD'S glory and Kingdom Profit?

 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, 

and all these things shall be added to you.
Matthew 6:33

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