Rights and Freedoms

Rights and Freedoms

Tony Campolo the American evangelist wrote,
“I contend the state ought to do its thing and provide legal rights for all couples who want to be joined together for life. The church should bless unions that it sees fit to bless, and they should be called marriages.”
           Tony Campolo.
Campolo makes a compelling point, after all we live in a secular democracy. And it is the government and people of that democracy that choose what is called what under the law.
The democracies we live in, in the west are at least as diverse as the Roman Empire and they as such do their best to accommodate all their citizens.
The Roman Empire had things going on that Christians and Jews would have found contrary to their moral and ethical standards. Yet the Bible does not mention anywhere that the disciples or Jesus spoke out against Rome’s authority.
In fact with the Emperor Nero in power and persecuting Christians the apostle Paul wrote,
“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.”  
                                                                                                                                 Romans 13:1 
The Gospel of John records this exchange at the trial of Jesus between Pilate and Jesus,
“Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 
 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above...” 
                                                                                                                                    John 19:10,11a
As Christians I believe we Christians need to respect the government and the beliefs and lifestyles of those around us.
Only when governments or others start to restrict our rights or the rights of others should we be speaking out against the government or other groups.
Tony Campolo also makes another important point,
“These issues are biblical issues: to care for the sick, to feed the hungry, to stand up for the oppressed. I contend that if the evangelical community became more biblical, everything would change.”
        Tony Campolo.
I as a Christian extend the hand of friendship to those of different faiths and lifestyles. I believe Jesus died for each and every individual irrespective of who they are. That Jesus offers redemption from sin to everyone.
I believe it is my duty to God to present all who will listen to me of the salvation message Jesus has to offer, not force it on them. I do it because I believe it is the most important thing I can present to those I encounter.
Jesus 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
Paul writing to the Romans said,
“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” 
Romans 5:8
Paul also writes,
“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”
                                                                                 Romans 3:23
That all means just that all. Every man and woman that has ever lived has sinned. Have fallen short of what God wants for their life and Jesus died for those sins.
C. S. Lewis stated of Jesus,
“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” 
                             C.S. Lewis.
Jesus said,
“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.
When Jesus said all he meant all. All who believe in Him can enter into his eternal rest.
Jesus never said it was a select group that could enter His eternal rest. That could obtain salvation. He made it clear all could.
The apostle Paul writes,
“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.
Christians believe that it is God who reached down in the form of His one and only Son, Jesus Christ. That salvation and eternal life with God is a choice and an act of faith.
A person must believe that Jesus is the Son of God. That he died for their sins. That you must confess your sins directly to God. That it is the Holy Spirit that convicts men of their sins not man.
We also believe the Salvation is a personal thing between the individual and God that only God knows the heart of the individual. That no one on this earth can judge whether or not you are saved. You and God alone know that.
Please think about it.