Christians must work to stay saved

For over a year, Americans have been advised to “stay safe” from COVID-19 by following recommendations and requirements to prevent the spread, including contracting the disease themselves.

Now we have the vaccines, and my wife and I have been fully vaccinated for well over a month. So, we can now enjoy all the benefits, based on CDC guidelines, although the anticipated benefits are losing luster as more information is gained.

For example, as we now understand it, the COVID-19 shot may only reduce the most severe effects of the disease that require hospitalization, and mask-wearing continues to be recommended because even vaccinated individuals can still spread the disease. So, the goalposts are still moving all over the field and continue getting farther away.

There are similarities between the COVID vaccines and the Christian life, as well as differences.

First, like the vaccine, becoming a Christian inoculates us against the most devastating effects of the anti-life disease of sin, but it doesn’t make us completely immune (Acts 2:38-39; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 7:14-25). That is, even when trying to live a sin-free life, we’ll still sin, but Jesus’ blood continually cleanses us so we won’t be held accountable for our sins (1 John 1:5-10).

Second, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention hasn’t determined the beneficial duration of COVID vaccines, but they’re fairly confident boosters might be needed, possibly annually, to maintain any level of immunity. Getting forgiveness for our sins upon baptism doesn’t, in and of itself, bring about continual cleansing for future sin for those who don’t strive to stay in the light and intentionally keep one foot in the world (1 John 3:1-10; Hebrews 10:26-31). Christians should include general pleas for forgiveness in our prayers, even asking God to reveal unknown sin and cleanse us from that unrighteousness (Psalm 139:23-34; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-22; Philippians 4:4-7; Hebrews 4:14-16; James 5:13-18). The privilege of prayer is one of the many spiritual blessings guaranteed Christians — those indwelt by God’s Holy Spirit, the deposit on our redemption, which is the ultimate, complete protection from sin through eternal life (John 9:31; Ephesians 1:3-14; 5:1-18; Galatians 5:16-25; Romans 8:1-17, 26-27).

Many teach that once one’s saved by their faith alone, by God’s grace, they’re always saved by God’s grace. However, while we are saved by God’s grace through faith, we must not set aside that grace by refusing to follow God’s plan for our eternal salvation because we can fall from his grace and forfeit our salvation (James 2:14-26, especially verse 24; 2 Peter 1:3-11; 3:17-18; John 15:1-11; Galatians 2:20-21; Romans 6:3-11). God’s word brings about salvation as we obey it and those goalposts have never moved (Acts 5:32; 1 Peter 1:22-25; Jude 1:3-4)!

So we’re learning we must probably get regular COVID boosters and continue practicing the guidelines to prevent the spread to stay safe. Christians also must live to maintain our cloak of righteousness by Jesus’ blood to stay saved (Romans 3:10, 21-26; 13:14; Galatians 3:26-27; Mark 16:16). Are you saved by God’s grace and staying saved?

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected].