You would have to be hiding in a cabin out in the middle of nowhere to have missed the ongoing debate of health care reform in this country. The news recently had coverage of the President’s visit to Phoenix and people came out of the wood work to share their views. Those who are for the president’s plan for health care reform. Those who are against it. And the lines were drawn right down the middle.

This is one of those issues that stands poised to divide the country as you see people shouting and screaming at town hall meetings. People on both sides of the issue getting very animated, angry and even hostile over the issue of Health care. Young and old. Rich and poor. It seems like everyone is weighing in on their right to health care. Doesn’t it make sense that we would fight for good health care? If we’ve worked hard, it seems that we should be entitled to good health care, shouldn’t we? If you’ve been diagnosed with a life threatening illness, and there is a research project going that may find a cure, shouldn’t we pursue it? At any cost? This can be the point where we start moving into very treacherous territory. At any cost? Really. No.

Don’t get me wrong. I believe we need good health care, to protect the body and prevent disease, to help those who are ill. But not at any cost. When we start moving in a direction that doesn’t line up with scripture, we need to slow down and examine our motives. What do I mean? If I have a life threatening illness, and I am willing to support embryonic stem cell research to prolong my life, at the cost of an embryo, then I have placed my life above God’s standard. At any cost? NO. Anytime I need to benefit from the loss of those little ones, created in the image of God and precious to His heart, I am acting as if my will and my life is more important than God’s will and His word.

Which side are you on could be better phrased, “Who’s side are you on? In this ongoing debate on health care, and other issues before us these days, we have to certain which side we’re on. I don’t mean Democrat or Republican, rich or poor, young or old. As the church of Jesus Christ it’s time we stand up and be counted. When we are faced with decisions like these, we must be firmly on God’s side of the issue. Even when it means I set aside my own convenience, my own preferences, my personal health and even my own life; to honor Him alone.

Pastor Mark