Life and death do not hang in the balance depending on whether we are correctly informed about healthcare. Christians must stop sharing this dangerous misinformation by acting like it does.

Some will surely be quick to object, “No, but life and death really do hang in the balance! Look at the data! People are dying! We must start listening to the experts!” Of course, this objection may sound slightly different depending on which side of the argument a person is on. Some will point to data that suggests one course of prevention and treatment. Others will point to data that suggests other courses of treatment and prevention. The two sides will fight tooth and nail, pointing to the data and research and charts that support their particular side and prove the other side as foolish. But one thing both sides usually agree on is that the argument is worth having, because, after all, it’s a matter of life and death.

Let’s put the charts and the research and the scholarly opinions aside just for a moment, and reconsider the words of Paul in Romans 8.

Life and Death in Romans 8

For if you live according to the flesh, you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Romans 8:13

Read it again. Slowly. If Jesus is Lord, life and death do not hang in balance depending on whether or not we are looking at correct medical data. Life and death do not hang in the balance depending on whether or not we listen to the right experts. Life and death do not hang in the balance depending on whether we are informed or misinformed. Life and death hang in the balance depending on whether we live according to the flesh or live according to the Spirit.

For a better understanding of what Paul is saying, read the verse in context.

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 8:5-8

Paul contrasts two different ways of living. One is the way of the flesh, the other is the way of the Spirit. You can tell the difference between the two ways by what they think about. What are they focused on? What are they thinking about most of or all the time? Are they focused on the flesh? Do they continually dwell on the corruptible and mortal aspects of the world? Or are they focused on the Spirit?

To live focused on the flesh is to invite death itself, whereas to focus on the Spirit is to have life and peace. That’s Paul’s main point here. He explains it further in verses 7-8 when he says that those whose mind is set on the flesh are hostile to God. They are incapable of submitting to God’s law as long as the fleshly, corruptible, mortal aspects of this world are the things that capture their mind. They cannot please God.

But what about those whose minds are set on the Spirit?

You, however, are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him. But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness. If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.

So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

Romans 8:9-13

Those who have the Spirit dwelling in them will be raised from the dead. Even though their bodies are doomed to die, the Spirit will give life to their mortal bodies. They will live.

The promise of the resurrection is the promise that we will be rescued. Our hope isn’t simply for something better after death. Our hope is to be saved from death itself.

Notice how Paul can alternate between “The Spirit in you” and “Christ in you.” They are the same thing. That is why, as Paul says back in verse 1, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

Keep Things in Perspective

Now, without losing sight of Paul’s inspired words in Romans 8, consider the current healthcare debates. What if we are deceived into listening to the wrong so-called “experts”? What if we pursue the wrong form of prevention or treatment? What if accidently end up misinformed? What if we foolishly reject life-saving medical advice? If Christ dwells in us, we will be rescued. Even though our bodies die, we will still be raised from the dead to live.

Consider the flip side. What if we are able to sort though all the information correctly? What if we do everything exactly right? What if we avoid sickness and death from the disease? We still die. It might be a few years later, in a nursing home, dying of natural causes, but we still die. When we die, the only thing that matters is whether or not we have lived according to the Spirit.

This is not to suggest that we should run towards death while ignoring the various data and expert opinions out there. But as we try our best to process the latest information and respond as wisely as possible, we must keep things in proper perspective. When we act like we can control tomorrow based on making right plans today, we are spreading dangerous misinformation (James 4:14). When act like we are still enslaved to the fear of death, as if the devil has not been destroyed, we are spreading dangerous misinformation (Hebrews 2:14-15). When we think of ourselves as wise, without maintaining good conduct, we are being “false to the truth” (James 3:13-18).

Ultimately, life and death do not hang in the balance depending on whether or not we are “right” in our response to this healthcare crisis. Ultimately, life and death hang in the balance depending on whether or not we have Christ and walk in step with His Spirit. Do not be distracted by all the death and disease. Do not set your mind on things of the flesh. Set your mind on the things of the Spirit, and you will live.