Freedom
“It is imperative that freedom of judgement 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 judgement is withheld, we depart from the natural condition of mankind.”
Baruch Spinoza
I am speaking here as a Christian appalled at the way Christian groups especially in the United States are reacting to the gay marriage and the gay, lesbian and transgendered community in general.
The United States and all western democracies are just that democracies. They are not “Christian democracies” they are “secular democracies”. There is no such thing as a Christian government on this earth at this time. Therefore like it or not the democratically elected government has the right to say what things are, even if Christians disagree.
Living in a secular democracy is something the apostles knew very well. They lived in the Roman empire an empire as ethnically diverse as any nation today. An empire that was filled with pagan practises that the average Christian or Jew at the time would have disliked immensely.
Yet nowhere in the New Testament do I see Jesus or his disciples speaking out against the civil secular authorities.
Jesus even when brought before Pilate never said anything against the civil authority of Rome. In fact to Pilate the Roman governor Jesus said,
“You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above.”
John 19:11a
The apostle Paul while living under one of the worst Emperors, Nero said,
“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.
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.”
Romans 13:1-3
Someone years ago once told me, when you restrict someone else’s freedom you ultimately restrict your own.
It is my feeling that provided the freedoms granted to any group does not infringe on my freedoms to believe as I wish as a Christian then they should have the right to believe and do as they wish.
I as a Christian hope I can extend the hand of friendship to the gay, lesbian and transgendered community. They are no different from anyone else in the world.
A pastor I know when confronted by a gay friend who said “I bet you think I’m the worst of sinners.” to which he replied, “Your sins as a gay man are no worse than my sins as a strait man.”
Besides the apostle Paul who was a trained Pharisee prior to his conversion said of himself,
“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.
But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”
1Timothy 1:15,16
The job of the Christian was laid down by Christ himself when he said,
“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
Christians are to preach the good news of salvation to the world not get involved in politics and attempt to restrict the rights and freedoms of others.
What Christians should be doing in my opinion is illustrated in the following.
The apostle Paul writing to the Romans said,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23,24.
By all, Paul meant all. Sin is falling short of what God wants for our lives. We all sin and the Bible makes it clear Jesus can cleanse us from our sin.
The apostle John writing,
“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.”
1John 1:9-10.
These words were written to every man and woman that has ever lived. Jesus did not play favourites.
He made the following very clear statements for all to accept or reject.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus made it clear who he was when he said,
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
John 14:6
“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. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son".
John 3:16-18
The apostle Paul wrote,
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8,9
The writer of Hebrews saying,
“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.
Please whoever you are think about it.
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