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Most Christians Don't Want Freedom in America

I am confident in the God who created me and who sent His Son, Jesus Christ to die for my sins. Confident that He alone has a plan for my life. That confidence could never be swayed by any government or enemy that opposes me. The more I look around this free country of America, the less I believe that most Christians look to their God with that confidence.

God gave us two commands that were greater than any others. Love Him with all of our heart, soul and mind. And love our neighbors as ourselves. Those commands should guide us away from hatred and toward love and acceptance. Do I believe God is the only answer? Absolutely yes. By believing that, my life should result in loving and accepting everyone (even those I disagree the strongest with). We shouldn’t look at people of other faiths and want the least for them. We shouldn’t be arrogant about our faith and stomp on the beliefs of others. If our faith is as strong as we say it is, how could we not go about our lives in peace?

I actually agree with how President Obama has handled his love for all people. Sure, his personal faith (whether truly Christian, Muslim, etc.) has been extremely hard to understand. Does it make me question, like others, whether our leader is godless? Sure. Does it make me angry at him for not being a devout and strong Christian like myself? No. This is where I see the hate starting to rise, and our confidence in God diminishing.

Obama’s own words that he shared in Turkey back in 2009 make his view on America pretty clear – “We have a very large Christian population. We do not consider ourselves a Christian nation or a Jewish nation or a Muslim nation. We consider ourselves a nation of citizens who are bound by ideals and a set of values.”

America as a melting pot. As a Christian, we should be thankful that we live in a nation where we can freely discuss religion and share Christ with our closest neighbors . . . not mad that we have to live beside people of a different faith. Do decisions by Obama to cover up the name of Jesus from being present on stages he speaks from irritate us? Sure. But we live in a country where we share neighborhoods with people who are free to vote how they choose.

But I think we are finally getting what we asked for. True liberty and freedom is given when people sometimes run with that freedom as far as they can. When you allow all types of diversity to be accepted, you had better be ready for all types of both good and evil to show up. We haven’t set foot in heaven yet, so it shouldn’t shock us that sin is still alive and strong.

George Washington might have said it best when speaking to his troops – “While we are Contending for our own Liberty, we should be very cautious of violating the Rights of Conscience in others; ever considering that God alone is the Judge of the Hearts of Men and to him only in this case they are answerable.”

Or Stephen Colbert – “If this is going to be a Christian nation that doesn’t help the poor either we have to pretend that Jesus was just as selfish as we are, or we’ve got to acknowledge that He commanded us to love the poor and serve the needy without condition and then admit that we just don’t want to do it.”

Or Michael Meyerson (this article is a must read) – “Jefferson’s victory over Adams was seen as a repudiation of those who argued that religious voters should shun candidates who did not share their religious views. Religion was, and is, a central part of the American landscape. The question now, as it was then, is whether religion will be a divisive or a unifying force.”

My challenge to those of us that call ourselves Christians? Love. Is it really that simple? Don’t think that’s an easy thing, but also don’t think it’s impossible. The Spirit is ready, are you?