Freedom and the Christian
Baruch Spionza wrote,
“It is imperative that freedom of judgment should be granted, so that men may live together in harmony, however diverse, or even openly contradictory their opinions maybe. In proportion as the power of free judgment is withheld, we depart from the natural condition of mankind.”
Baruch Spinoza.
If you think about it God created freedom when he created man. When God made man he did not make a robot, and android that would do His bidding at the push of a button. God created man with complete freedom to do as man wished, whether that was pleasing to God or not.
As I see it however, here in North America and particularly in the United States, I see Christians as wanting their freedom while at the same time judging others and denying them their freedom.
Case in point people who are calling for a ban on same sex marriage. There are others wanting to restrict Muslims because of recent terrorist activities. It all harkens back to the days of segregation.
If we judge someone wrongly or restrict the rights of even one group we ultimately set things up for the possibility that our rights may one day be restricted.
The apostle Peter states,
“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.”
1Peter 16,17.
I like that Peter says “show proper respect to everyone”. As Christians we should be showing proper respect to everyone even if we disagree with them.
The secular democracy in which we live is very similar to the society the apostles lived in. Except of course the apostles couldn’t vote the government in or out of power. They had to live within the laws of Rome. Accepting that they could not change any law however much they disagreed with it.
Christians today I think forget this.
In the United States Christians mix their faith with politics and it is not a good combination.
Yes Christians should vote that is their democratic right. They should vote for the person whom they feel best represents Christian values.
Still Christians should not be judging others. Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2
If we judge other they will look at our lives and judge us.
The apostle Paul said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We as Christians should not judge anyone. We should be standing up for the rights and freedoms of all people even those we disagree with. In doing so we build bridges and open a dialogue with people. A dialogue that allows us to tell people about the most important thing in our lives, the Saving Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please think about it.
Baruch Spionza wrote,
“It is imperative that freedom of judgment should be granted, so that men may live together in harmony, however diverse, or even openly contradictory their opinions maybe. In proportion as the power of free judgment is withheld, we depart from the natural condition of mankind.”
Baruch Spinoza.
If you think about it God created freedom when he created man. When God made man he did not make a robot, and android that would do His bidding at the push of a button. God created man with complete freedom to do as man wished, whether that was pleasing to God or not.
As I see it however, here in North America and particularly in the United States, I see Christians as wanting their freedom while at the same time judging others and denying them their freedom.
Case in point people who are calling for a ban on same sex marriage. There are others wanting to restrict Muslims because of recent terrorist activities. It all harkens back to the days of segregation.
If we judge someone wrongly or restrict the rights of even one group we ultimately set things up for the possibility that our rights may one day be restricted.
The apostle Peter states,
“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.
Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.”
1Peter 16,17.
I like that Peter says “show proper respect to everyone”. As Christians we should be showing proper respect to everyone even if we disagree with them.
The secular democracy in which we live is very similar to the society the apostles lived in. Except of course the apostles couldn’t vote the government in or out of power. They had to live within the laws of Rome. Accepting that they could not change any law however much they disagreed with it.
Christians today I think forget this.
In the United States Christians mix their faith with politics and it is not a good combination.
Yes Christians should vote that is their democratic right. They should vote for the person whom they feel best represents Christian values.
Still Christians should not be judging others. Jesus said,
“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.
For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”
Matthew 7:1,2
If we judge other they will look at our lives and judge us.
The apostle Paul said,
“What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside?
God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.”
1 Corinthians 5:12,13.
We as Christians should not judge anyone. We should be standing up for the rights and freedoms of all people even those we disagree with. In doing so we build bridges and open a dialogue with people. A dialogue that allows us to tell people about the most important thing in our lives, the Saving Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Please think about it.
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