Immunity

If you're a fan of the show "Survivor" like me you know that immunity is "the thing in which you covet," as host Jeff Probst often says. It is true for the contestants. They want to be immune from being voted out of the game and be crowned the ultimate survivor!

Immunity is a multi-layered word with several definitions. In the case of Survivor the winner of immunity is granted protection or exemption from something, especially an obligation or penalty.

When it comes to infections, diseases and virus' we are granted protection with immunity, as well. This form of immunity is the ability of an organism to resist a particular infection or toxin by the action of specific antibodies or sensitized white blood cells.

We have an immune system created by the Creator who formed our inward parts and wove us in our mother's womb. (Psalm 139:14) . The word 'wove' here is even interesting and ties in quite nicely with how wonderful our immune systems are. The original Hebrew word means properly, to entwine as a screen; by implication, to fence in, cover over, (figuratively) protect:—cover, defense, defend, hedge in, join together, set, shut up. An online definition describes it as this, ‘made from a number of interconnected elements.

What an impressive immune system we have! We are "fearfully and wonderfully made." (Psalm 139:14). This phrase is often quoted to remind us of our outward beauty and our identity in God's eyes. I've quoted this for that very purpose myself and I think there is nothing wrong with using it in that context, but I believe that it concerns the whole formation of our body as well, seeing how it follows the statement of God forming our inward parts. We know God made us in His image and in Genesis 1:31, God said all that He made was good.

"This amazing system battles disease in a manner that is so complex and intricate that the most gifted imagination could not envision such incredible functions. In today’s world (post-Fall), the primary role of our immune system is to recognize pathogens and parasites, then to destroy them." From an article on the Answers in Genesis website, entitled: "Our Impressive Immune System: More Than a Defense" by Dr. Alan L. Gillen and Jason Conrad on January 15, 2014. They go on to say, "The immune system has been designed as the body's major defense not only against bacteria and viruses, but also fungi, parasites, and toxins. It serves as an invisible boundary of mucous membranes, strong chemicals, and proteins that defend us against new and old diseases. We might also think of it as an umbrella over us, protecting against the constant “rain” of bacteria, fungi, parasites, and toxins. Stages of the immune system include the skin and mucous membranes, the first line of defense; white blood cells as second line of defense and antibodies as third level of defense. The immune system includes the lymph glands, lymph nodes, spleen, bone marrow, tonsils.

The immune system is ingenious. In today’s world (post-Fall), it has three lines of defense and more. The first line of defense includes your skin, the mucous membranes and secretions, and the normal microbiome. The second line of defense includes WBCs, inflammation, and body temperature. Our third line of defense is comprised of antibodies, specialized lymphocytes such as B-cells and T-cells, along with memory cells. But, the immune systems functions go beyond simply defense. Two other functions are cleansing and regulating. The immune system cleanses our body from waste buildup and potential harm. The spleen, from the beginning, was designed to cleanse and filter the blood from aged and dying cells along with bacteria. The spleen maintains blood volume, blood cells, and reusable material from aged blood cells.

Immunity includes specificity, versatility, memory, tolerance, and cell and tissue specific responses. The immune system is adaptive: it learns, has memory, and is specific. The overall complexity of the human body and the interwoven magnificence of our immune system further illustrate evidence of an intelligent design by a master craftsman. It is more than a defense. It is “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14).

(https://answersingenesis.org/human-body/our-impressive-immune-system-more-than-a-defense/)

According to the Institute for Creation Research, we have a a serious defense force in our immune system "When these infection-causing microbes break in where they don't belong, they face a serious defense force, eventually to be caught and destroyed by a highly trained, cell-sized army equipped with a sophisticated array of weaponry. That security force is called the human immune system. Designed with amazingly dynamic communication networks that pass information back and forth between hundreds of millions of cells, the human immune system strategically fights off microscopic invaders and remembers them each time they attack the body."

Spiritually we are called to put on the whole armor of God. Physically God has already equipped our bodies, our immune systems with an armor that is so strong. I won’t say it’s impenetrable. We know that germs, viruses and bacteria get through and can reek havoc with us, but God in his infinite wisdom even uses those to turn around and work for the good of our immune system to make it even stronger.

Of course, we need to do our part and boost that immune system to keep it strong with proper nutrition, vitamins, exercise and sleep.

It‘s good to remember that just as David took up a small stone to fight off his enemy, we in turn have small cells and antibodies that fight off the giant virus‘ inside us.

Survivor contests may covet their immunity to survive the game, but for the average human there is no need to covet that which with we already have and that is strong immunity endowed upon us by our Creator.

I am fearfully and wonderfully made. God’s works are wonderful and my soul knows that very well. With God’s help and mercy, if it is within His will, we can become the ultimate survivors against any virus that may threaten us!