 |
| Clara wearing a mask during our recent trip to Disney World |
I typically read the letters to the editor in our local newspaper. By now some of the regulars, for better and for worse, are known to me, I expect either a well reasoned or unhinged letter based upon the name at the bottom. In today's case, it wasn't the name that caught my attention, but a quote that accurately sums up what many (most?) Americans feel about freedom: morality has little to no claim on their lives.
"A true Christian would never try to force those around them to do things that infringe on the freedoms, liberties and possibly their health, simply for their own self preservation." - 10/29/21 letter to the editor
The topic, as you may have guessed, is health mandates, in this case the requirement in PA that children wears masks at school. The writer of the letter took umbrage with a previous writer's call to protect the "least of these" by asking children to follow the guidance of public health officials and organizations. At the end of the letter the writer suggests reading the books of Daniel and Revelation, revealing that an apocalyptic mindset has also influenced that sentiment, but we have seen this attitude over and over on a whole range of issues where Freedom is claimed as the superior standard, outclassing morality and negating its obligations. One might expect such an attitude from libertines, from those who do not believe that God exists and therefore do not concern themselves with being judged for their actions in this life, but far too often the staunchest defendants of the notion that they owe little to no obligation to their neighbors, certainly not if the government is the one telling them to do it, are those who also claim allegiance to Jesus Christ. This is a paradox, and not a good one.
I saw similar responses revolving around instances of mass shootings, racism, and the plight of refugees. In each instance, the person objecting to proposed responses did so from a stance of autonomy, without allowing that he or she might have an obligation toward neighbor, stranger, or even enemy. In statement after statement of politically informed statements about freedoms, the question of discharging one's obligations as a Christian is glossed over. And yet, the Word of God speaks in a very different voice on such matters. In God's Word, Freedom is not the goal, it is simply the door to true service, once we have been set free from sin, our real self-sacrifice begins.
1 Peter 2:16 New International Version
Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.
Galatians 5:13 New International Version
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
Matthew 10:8 New International Version
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give.
Romans 1:14 New International Version
I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish.
Romans 13:8 New International Version
Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for whoever loves others has fulfilled the law.
Here's the thing. Nobody is obligated toward their fellow human being, nobody has a greater responsibility to die to self and serve others, than the disciple of Jesus Christ. Instead of being on the forefront pushing cries of 'freedom!!' in the face of those who may have a claim upon us, we should already be serving them, helping them, sacrificing on their behalf, long before they had the chance to ask. Christians should not be required by the government to curtail their freedom, they should volunteer.
The letter's author chose to use the word 'true' in front of Christian. Ironically, that choice is important, for as Jesus made all too clear, it is not who we claim to be that counts to God, for many will claim to have followed him only to be tragically shown their folly on the Day of Judgment, but how we live that will validate our profession of faith. Christians should talk about freedom less than others, not more, for to us obligation speaks with a much louder voice. That American Christians often do the opposite is all you need to know about the health of the Church in our nation.
More of my writing on these topics:
Why are we free? Galatians 5:13-14 {This one contains a link to a short message I gave at Franklin's 4th of July celebration in 2018}
Josh McDowell's folly in addition to racism: Claiming that the Bible only talks about individuals
2020 has taken the measure of the Church, and found us wanting
No comments:
Post a Comment