Let me ask it another way, when you see people at the Walmart, Lowes, Costco, church, the corner convenience store, or wherever, what do you think of first and most?
Does your mind go to whether or not the other person is vaccinated or does your mind wonder whether or not the other person is prepared for eternity? You might say that it is not either/or. If that is the case, then what is more important to you? Functionally, what is on your mind more?
For the follower of Christ, these questions weigh heavy. We know that the Gospel and the eternal destination of the souls of people should dominate our thinking – especially if our greatest concern about vaccinations is whether or not we personally will catch the virus. Let me share one quick observation I made yesterday and remind us of one Bible passage.
My Twitter Friends
A friend sent me a link to look at something on Twitter in the past few days. Following the link, I became distracted by others who were tweeting. I saw that a friend of mine was on there several times. I clicked on his handle to see about what he was tweeting so furiously. Of his past twenty tweets, all of them regarded COVID-19 vaccinations. I do not know his particular relationship with Christ for sure, but would say that functionally COVID is on his mind.
I saw another Twitter friend’s tweets as well (about 20 deep). COVID ranked about 50% of his posts. Other issues rounded out the other 50%. None of them pertained to the Gospel.
No judgment here. We all get passionate at times regarding any number of issues. I understand that and am keeping their names anonymous on purpose. I am not saying they love God less than me; in fact, it may be the exact opposite.
But catch this… what I am saying is that their voice functionally is stronger for COVID vaccines or COVID politics one way or another than it is about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Jesus Stressed Urgency
Responding to an unnamed person who said that any person who enjoys eating with Jesus in the kingdom will be blessed, Jesus told the story of the Great Supper Banquet. In this parable, Jesus makes two things crystal clear. First, telling everyone – poor, maimed, lame, blind – everywhere – streets and lanes of the city, highways and hedges outside the city – about the Gospel is urgent! Notice what Jesus says:
So that servant came and reported these things to his master. Then the master of the house, being angry, said to his servant, ‘Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in here the poor and the maimed and the lame and the blind.’ And the servant said, ‘Master, it is done as you commanded, and still there is room.’ Then the master said to the servant, ‘Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. (Luke 14:21-24)
Go out quickly and compel them. Why? Because He wants His house filled. And, we are running out of time. The meal is almost ready. It is time for guests to arrive.
Second, for those who deny, the opportunity is temporary.
“For I say to you that none of those men who were invited shall taste my supper.’ ”
For those who deny the invitation in this life will not experience the supper in eternity. They will not receive the kingdom of God. For them, they will spend eternity in the lake of fire. At the return of Christ or at death, the offer expires.
What is most important to you?
What is most important to you? Vaccinations or …? The Gospel?
Few people look around at the events in the world without realizing that time is short. The return of Christ is imminent. People live all over the world who need a clear voice from us who follow Jesus. Not a clear voice primarily about COVID or other political issues; rather, a clear voice related to the offer of the Gospel.
Invitations must go out immediately. People will either enjoy eternity at Jesus’ table or will forever be left out. The decisions they make today related to that offer matters. Consider this, the chance of dying from COVID presses in on all of us. The reality of eternity often does not. Yet, every person has a 100% chance of spending eternity in heaven or hell. Their decision. We must tell them the options. Time vanishes quickly. Either through death or Jesus’ return, the dinner bell may sound today.
Image Credit CDC
KevinCarson.com | Wisdom for Life in Christ Together