Showing posts with label discuss. Show all posts
Showing posts with label discuss. Show all posts

Sunday 23 April 2017

Freedom from Judgement

Freedom from Judgement
The Apostle Paul wrote,
“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.
Billy Graham said,
“It is the Holy Spirits Job to Convict, 
God’s job to judge 
and my job to love,”
                                                                                   Billy Graham
Baruch Sinoza said,
“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.
         I as a Christian do not believe I have the right to Judge anyone especially those outside my faith, Even when it comes to those within my faith I believe I am limited to only judging whether the person is teaching correct Christian doctrine. I have no right to judge whether or not they are going to heaven.
I as a Christian believe God has instilled in each and every person a freewill to do as they wish. That freedom even extends to whether the individual believes in God or not. Each individual must have the freedom to judge for themselves what they believe and what they do.
God did not make robots. God crated human beings with a free will.
I believe that no matter who you are Christian, Muslim, Jew, or those of other faiths, Atheist. All must have the right to choose what they believe.
I also believe it is important to be able to sit with those of different philosophies, ways of life and faiths and discuss openly our opinions without fear.
I as a Christian do not fear may faith being questioned by others. I know what I believe and I am convinced that I am right. I welcome others who wish to present their faith to me. I welcome exchanges in ideas. This I believe is the way God intended it to be.
Jesus when on this earth spoke to those outside his faith. Jesus had contact with Romans, Samaritans, and others. He sat down with those looked down upon by religious leaders of His day.
This is what I believe Christians should be doing today. Jesus tells us,
“Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20.
We cannot do this if we are not willing to accept the differences in our society and reach out to them in love.
The writer of Hebrews tells Christians,
“Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord.” Hebrews 12:14.
Part of living at peace with all men involves listening to others sharing your ideas and beliefs and allowing them to believe what they wish to believe. This is the way God intended things to be.
Please think about it.