Walk as Jesus Walked

Walk as Jesus walked
The apostle John writes,
“We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands.  
The man who says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  
But if anyone obeys his word, God’s love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in him:  
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.” 1 John 2:3-6.
The apostle John speaking to those who claim to be followers of Jesus Christ states very clearly,
“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
Walking as Jesus did is walking in love for God, our neighbour and even our enemy. Jesus when asked,
“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 
Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’  
This is the first and greatest commandment. 
And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’  
      All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:36-40.
Jesus also said,
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  
But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  
If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  
  And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?  Matthew 5:43-47.
Here is something for those who consider themselves believers in Christ to think about.
Jesus showed unconditional love to all he came in contact with a love for all mankind that ultimately took him to the cross to die for our sins.
In his lifetime he never spoke or protested against anyone outside his faith. He a Jew did speak against the religious leaders who were incorrectly practising the word of God.
He did not speak against the secular Roman authority even when he was put on trial.
When the apostle John tells us
“Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did.”
This to my way of thinking is Not protesting even if it is something we disagree with.
It means showing unconditional love to all we come in contact with. The apostle Paul defining love as,

“Love is patient, love is kind. 

It does not envy, it does not boast, 

it is not proud.  

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, 

it is not easily angered, 

it keeps no record of wrongs. 

Love does not delight in evil 

but rejoices with the truth.  

It always protects, 

always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 

Love never fails....

And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. 

But the greatest of these is love.”  

                                                                        1 Corinthians 13:4-8a,13.

If you claim to be a follower of Jesus Christ is this the kind of love you are showing to the world.
Please think about it.

Sin and Forgiveness

Sin and Forgiveness
The Apostle John writes,
“This is the message we have heard from him and declare to you: God is light; in him there is no darkness at all.  
If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth.  
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. 
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.  
He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 1 John 1:5 - 2:2.
Here the apostle John talks about sin. Wrong doing.  Sin is falling short of God’s ideal for our lives. If we walk in sin we are walking in darkness. Darkness covers our sins at least from those around us. It does not however cover them from God.
In order to have fellowship with God we need to confess our sins. In the old Testament people would go to the temple in Jerusalem and sacrifice an animal to cover their sins. It was a practice they had to do regularly.
Jesus however came into the world as the final sacrifice. The blood of Jesus shed on the cross cleanses us from sin. John telling us.
“He (Jesus) is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.” 
John states clearly,
“...the blood of Jesus, His (God’s) Son, purifies us from all sin.”
John emphasizes,
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.  
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  
If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives.”
We are all human. We all sin. We all fall short of God’s ideal for our lives. As soon as we realize we have sinned it is important that we confess that sin to God in prayer and as John states,
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Are you willing to believe Jesus is the Son of God and accept the atoning sacrifice of Jesus for your sins?
If so why not pray a prayer like this.
Dear Heavenly Father
I believe Jesus is your Son, who came to earth to die for my sins. I acknowledge that I am a sinner. That I fall short of your ideal for my life.
Please forgive me and come into my life that I may have fellowship with you.
Amen.
If you really meant that prayer. If you truly believe Jesus is the Son of God who died for your sins, the apostle John tells us in his gospel,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
Please think about it. 

About Jesus

About Jesus
The Apostle John who witnessed first hand the ministry of Jesus tells his readers here why he is writing. He sates,
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life.  
The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.  
We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.  
We write this to make our joy complete.” 1 John 1:1-4
John notes these things about Jesus. He state,
“That which was from the beginning we have heard and touched...”
This echos back the opening words of John’s Gospel that states,
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  
He was with God in the beginning. 
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.  
In him was life, and that life was the light of men....
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-4,14.
John referrers to Jesus as the Word. He notes that “the Word” became flesh. God entered the world he created in the form of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is God incarnate. God in the flesh. He was their at the dawn of creation. He created all things.
John goes on to say,
“The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us.”
Jesus is life. He offers to all who would believe in Him Eternal life. 
John making things perfectly clear saying, 
“We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ.”
John in his gospel stating,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—  children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
What John states here are cornerstones of Christian belief.
1. Jesus is God incarnate, Creator of the Universe.
2. Jesus is the Saviour of mankind offering Eternal Life to all who would believe in Him.
3. By accepting Jesus Christ into our lives we become children of God. We have a personal relationship with God.
Like all things with Jesus however it is something you either believe or you do not. There is not middle ground.
So what do you believe.
Please think about it. 

Jesus will Come

Jesus will Come
The apostle Peter states,
“But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. 
Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.  
But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness. 
So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.  
Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 2 Peter 3:10-15
In my previous blog I quoted the apostle Peter as saying,
“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” 2Peter 3:9.
That being said God will one day return to judge the world.
In this portion of scripture 2 Peter 3:10-15, Peter notes that the Lord will come like a thief. A thief enters your home quietly. In moments he can take all your material possessions.
So it will be with Christ. He will come quietly, suddenly taking all that is material in this world He created and destroying it.
Peter tells us,
“Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” 
The destruction of the world is not the end of things however Peter notes God will not simply destroy the world he states,
“But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.”
God will create a new heaven and a new earth for all those who believe in him. A “home of righteousness” 
Peter telling all people to,
“...make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.”  
Then Peter points back to 2Peter 3:9 saying
“Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him.”
Look at it this way we as Christians have waited centuries for Christ’s return. That however does not mean He will not return.
What Peter is saying here is, the longer Christ waits to return the more people can receive salvation. Remember the words of Jesus who told why He came to earth. Speaking of Himself Jesus said,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
That being said, Billy Graham the American Evangelist said,

“The Bible says today is the accepted time,

 today is the day of salvation... 

But there will come a time when it will be too late for you.” 

                                                                             Billy Graham.

As Christians we should be out in our neighbourhoods telling people about the Love of God and the Salvation offered through His one and Only Son Jesus Christ.
As St. Augustine said,

“Pray as though everything depended on God. 

Work as though everything depended on you.” 

                                                                 Saint Augustine.

Please think about it.

God is Patient

God is Patient
The Apostle Peter writes,
“First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires.  
They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.”  
But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water.  
By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed.  
By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 
But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day.  
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:3-9.
Over the years there have been many who scoffed at the message of Jesus Christ. They have doubted that Jesus will ever return to this earth.
I recently read an account from obviously for lack of a better definition “a sudo-religious” group that said, the apostles failed because they didn’t reach the whole world in their lifetime.
Nothing could be further from the truth. The way I see it God as Peter said, does not want anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
The apostle John records Jesus as saying,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
Additionally God is using human means to reach the world. He is asking everyone to believe in him through faith.
True God could have revealed Himself in all his glory and majesty to the whole world demanding to be worshipped. That however would not have produced the true followers God wants.
Were God to show himself in all his power it would have cause some people to worship him out of fear for what He could do to them. This is not what God wants.
God wants people of faith. Who worship Him because they believe not only in His power but that He is a God of love and mercy.
Also people who have faith in anything are the strongest of followers they will believe no matter the circumstance.
The writer of Hebrews noting,

“Now faith is being sure of what we hope for

 and certain of what we do not see.” 

                                                   Hebrews 11:1

“And without faith it is impossible to please God, 

because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists

 and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”

                                                                          Hebrews 11:6.

It is my belief that the church still has a long way to go in reaching the world around us. The first century church was successful in taking the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world they new. However it was only a fraction of the world that actually existed.
Even today there are people in our midst and around the world who have not heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Thus I believe at least until they have had an opportunity to hear the about the Saving grace God offers the church has a lot to do and not worry when Christ will return.
Please think about it.

False Teachers

False Teachers
The Apostle Peter writing to believers in Christ Jesus writes,
“But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.  
In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.” 2 Peter 2:1-3.
Peter here issues a waring about false prophets. He echoes the words of Jesus who said,
“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.  
By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?  
Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit.  
A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.  
Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.  
  Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. 
“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.  
Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’  
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ Matthew 7:15-23
Many in the world today are calling themselves Christians who are not. They as Peter states,
“They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves.  
Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.”
As believers in Christ Jesus we need to watch carefully for such teachers. We need to know what we believe and why we believe what we believe.
We need to listen carefully to what evangelist, pastors, priests, even people calling themselves prophets are saying.  We need to, within our churches stand up to false teaching.
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.
As believers in Christ Jesus we must always remember to present to those around us the pure unadulterated word of God. It is the only way we will truly win souls for Christ.
Please think about it.

Truth or Lie

Truth or Lie?
The Apostle Peter writes,
“We did not follow cleverly invented stories when we told you about the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.  
For he received honor and glory from God the Father when the voice came to him from the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”  
We ourselves heard this voice that came from heaven when we were with him on the sacred mountain. 2 Peter 1:16-18.
Peter makes it clear here that what he and the other apostles are preaching are not “cleverly invented stories”, it is the truth. Peter himself was there when voice came heaven saying of Jesus, “This is my Son whom I love; with him I am well pleased”.
In writing this he is saying to the reader you either believe me, or you do not. There is no middle ground.
If you believe what Peter has written then you must believe that Jesus is the Son of God.
If you do not believe Peter then Peter is a lying, as are all the writers of the New Testament.
Not only that they have perpetuated what has to be the greatest lie in human history. For close to three billion people in the world today believe Jesus is the Son of God, the Saviour of mankind as did millions if not billions of people from the days of Peter to the present.
Thus the choice comes down to you the reader. Who do you believe Jesus is, Son of God, and Saviour of mankind or not?
The choice is yours.
Please think about it.

Add

Add
The Apostle Peter tells us,
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. 
For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge;  and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;  and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.  
For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.  
But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins. 
Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-11
Peter tells us,
“His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.”
Our faith in Christ gives us everything we need for life and godliness.
Peter goes on to say
Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.
Our belief in Christ allows us to participate in His divine nature and escape the corruption of this world.
John’s gospel tells us,
“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.” John 1:12,13.
Because we participate in the divine nature of God Peter tells us,
“For this very reason, make every effort to add to

your faith goodness;

 and to goodness, 

knowledge;  

and to knowledge, 

self-control; 

and to self-control, 

perseverance;

 and to perseverance, 

godliness;  

and to godliness,

 brotherly kindness; 

and to brotherly kindness, 

love.”  

Our reward for doing this Peter states is,
“For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  
Peter also notes what happens if we do not do these things, stating,
“But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins.”
His call to all believers is,
“Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall,  and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:3-11.
Please think about it.

Good Advice

Good Advice
The Apostle Peter states,
“To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be revealed:  
Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, serving as overseers—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve;  not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  
And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away. 
Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  
Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.  1 Peter 5:1-6.
Here the apostle Peter give some simple instructions to the elders of the Church and the young men of the Church.
To the elders he tells them:

1/ To be shepherds of God’s flock not because they must, 

but because the want to be. 

2/ They are told not to be greedy for money. 

3/ To be eager to serve.

4/ Not to Lord over those under them.

5/ To set an example to those they are entrusted to lead.

To the young men Peter states,

 “Be submissive to those who are older.”

To both groups he states,

“Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another...”

Peter warns that,

“God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”  

Finally he tells us,

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, 

that He may lift you up in due time.”  

Good advice for all in the church today.
Please think about it.

Suffering for the right thing

Suffer for the right thing
The apostle Peter tells us,
“Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you.  
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.  
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.  
If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.  
However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” 1 Peter 4:12-16 
I like what Peter states here. He states,
“If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.”
Notice, what Peter is saying is you blessed if you are insulted for associating with Christ. Jesus said,
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.  
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” Matthew 5:11,12.
Again Jesus states, we are blessed if we are persecuted for our belief in Christ.
Many people well meaning Christians here in North America protest against the government for passing certain laws they disagree with. They yell insults and protest against groups they disagree with. Then when there is a negative backlash for what they do, they say they are being persecuted for their faith in Christ.
This is not so. They are being persecuted for their actions.
Jesus never protested. Jesus and the disciples never spoke against anyone outside their faith. Nor should we.
As believers in Christ, if we are to suffer persecution, let us be persecuted for believing in Christ Jesus.
Please think about it.   

Christians and Speech

Christians and Speech
The Apostle Peter writes,
“The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray.  Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.  
Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.  
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:7-11
Peter believed the end of all things was near. It seems to be a common trait of every generation of Christians believe the end is near. A good thing. For as believers in Christ we should be working for Him as if His return is today.
The Apostle Paul however states,
“Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 1 Thessalonians 5:1,2
That being said we know the end of this world is near and the return of Christ is nearer than it was in Peters day. However God wishes to give everyone the chance to know Him personally. John’s gospel telling us,
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  
For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16,17.
  Peter however tells believers in Christ what they are to do until then,
“Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.  
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” 
I particularly like the one phrase Peter states,
“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God...”
As believers in Christ we must always remember that we are Christ’s representative on this earth. It is through our words and deeds that people will see Jesus. If our actions are negative towards those around us none-believers will get a negative image of Christ.
If on the other hand you represent Christ in a positive way people will see Jesus in a positive way and be drawn towards him.
I like the words of Francis of Assisi who said,

“The deeds you do

 may be the only sermon 

some persons will hear today” 

                                             Francis of Assisi.

Please think about it.

Submit to Authority

Submit to Authority
The apostle Peter writes,
“Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right.  
For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.   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.” 1 Peter 2:13-17
The Apostle Paul writes,
“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God.  
Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.”  Romans 13:1,2.
Submission to authority.
In many parts of the world believers in Christ have no problem submitting to authority especially repressive governments. Governments that reject the gospel message.
Individual believers in Christ do their best to follow the laws of the country in which they live. While they may have to worship in secret they do their best to follow the law of the land.
Here in Canada and more so in the United States I see Christians quiet often do not always submit to the government and the laws it passes. They use the freedom granted by the secular democratically elected government to protest against laws they disagree with and people they disagree with.
That is not what Jesus and the Apostles would have done. Yes they did speak out against wrong being done in the Church. Jesus a Jew even spoke out against wrong practices done by the religious leaders within his faith. But it was only those in his faith.
The apostle Paul states,
“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.
God will ultimately judge all the leaders of the world as He will judge all people of the world. Meanwhile we are called to submit to authority.
The apostle Peter telling us,
"Dear friends, 
I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul.  
Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” 1 Peter 2:11,12.
Please think about it