Freedom and the Christian
“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.” Baruch Spinoza.
Freedom is what God gave Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. It is what God grants to all people on the face of the earth. That freedom in order to be truly free needs to be meant God giving people the right to believe in him or not. It meant the right to do as they please and set their own rules whether they agree with God or not.
Christians I believe especially here in North America need to get this. God gives everyone a free will and whether we like what someone does with their free will, as long as it is harming no one we have no right to demonstrate against them or try to restrict their God given rights.
We live in a multicultural secular world that contains people who do things we may not agree with or like. Still as I said, if they are not hurting anyone then we have no right to stop them doing what they are doing.
Jesus 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.
Jesus did not say go and restrict the rights of any lawful group. He never told us to judge anyone outside our faith. 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.
Jesus told us,
“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.
What Jesus said is true. By the same standards you judge others and in the same way you judge others they will judge you.
Remember Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
By speaking against anything that is lawful and not harming anyone in a democracy you are telling those who disagree with you that they can demonstrate against your rights.
The apostle Paul says,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone....
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:18,20,21.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
In a free and democratic country we as Christians must respect the freedoms of all citizens.
We must in love present our faith to anyone who will listen without judgment. We must obey the words of the Apostle Peter, who said,
"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.
“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.” Baruch Spinoza.
Freedom is what God gave Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. It is what God grants to all people on the face of the earth. That freedom in order to be truly free needs to be meant God giving people the right to believe in him or not. It meant the right to do as they please and set their own rules whether they agree with God or not.
Christians I believe especially here in North America need to get this. God gives everyone a free will and whether we like what someone does with their free will, as long as it is harming no one we have no right to demonstrate against them or try to restrict their God given rights.
We live in a multicultural secular world that contains people who do things we may not agree with or like. Still as I said, if they are not hurting anyone then we have no right to stop them doing what they are doing.
Jesus 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.
Jesus did not say go and restrict the rights of any lawful group. He never told us to judge anyone outside our faith. 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.
Jesus told us,
“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.
What Jesus said is true. By the same standards you judge others and in the same way you judge others they will judge you.
Remember Jesus said,
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets” Matthew 7:12.
By speaking against anything that is lawful and not harming anyone in a democracy you are telling those who disagree with you that they can demonstrate against your rights.
The apostle Paul says,
“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone....
On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:18,20,21.
The writer of Hebrews states,
“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.
In a free and democratic country we as Christians must respect the freedoms of all citizens.
We must in love present our faith to anyone who will listen without judgment. We must obey the words of the Apostle Peter, who said,
"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.
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