walk with them two

I have listened to so many Christian teachers and pastors speak of our civil liberties and our duty to stand up for our rights as Christians in a fallen world. Honestly, I don't quite know how to respond. What rights does a dead man have? Paul didn't pull the, "I'm a Roman citizen" card every time he faced persecution. Why not? Perhaps it is because he believed Jesus when he was told that the world would hate him and persecute him and say all manner of evil against him. If the days and the world were wicked when Paul walked the earth, how much more wicked are they now?

Are we really surprised that creationism isn't taught in schools? Are we shocked that this world wants to create new human life through cloning? Are we truly flabbergasted that the slaughter of innocents has moved from foreign dictators invading war-torn countries to domestic doctors invading the warmth of the womb? I am not awestruck that these things are occurring in the world. I am appalled by the actions. I am disgusted. I am angry. But I am not awestruck that these actions are the product of the fallen and sinful world. These are examples of how man is still trying to be God- nothing has changed since eating the forbidden fruit or building Babylon's tower.

I know what you may be thinking... we must stand up against these atrocities. Yes and no. I believe we must let our voice be heard in the government where it is still permitted. God has given us his Spirit to provide us discernment and wisdom. There is a difference between the matter of teaching creationism and the matter of defending the life of the unborn. Again, I say... We should take advantage of the opportunity still afforded to letting our voices be heard in government. We don't have to simply roll over and die. We have to distinguish between fighting for civil liberties afforded by our government and for defending inalienable rights bestowed upon us by our Creator.

We must resist the grave wrongs enacted upon the innocent, the orphans, widows, poor, and unborn (to name a few). But more importantly we must change the way we live so that the Church no longer resembles to world thus ensuring a greater protection for those in need. It is the Church's responsibility to care for the needy. This is not the government's responsibility. If our churches were to resemble the Church God desires, I believe that the divorce rate would decrease, the number of unwed and teenage mothers would decline, the need for government run aid programs would be minimalized, and the rate of abortions would slow. I am an idealist, but I know that as long as Christ has not yet returned from amongst the clouds, there will always be a rift between the Church and the world. Abortions will continue and poverty will continue and evolution will be taught as a primary biological science. These things will persist, but the Church can overcome. If we are ever more willing to love all people as Christ does, we will see the world impacted as we change ourselves and our neighborhoods. Jesus told us that we will be recognized by our love- not by our programs, clothes, or our self-righteous attitudes.


How we treat our neighbors and those in need resembles how we treat Christ himself, remember? When it comes to standing up and fighting for rights, maybe God is calling us to defend the rights of those who can't defend their own. Regarding my own rights... I get terribly frustrated when I feel an injustice has occurred against me. Yet, why am I upset over the marginalization of my government permitted rights when I spend much less time exercising the freedom I am given as a believer by the one who has made me right because he alone is Righteous? Just some thoughts I've been having....