We all have rights. I've heard a lot of chatter lately on the rights we have as American citizens. The right to bear arms, the right to worship as we please, the right to reasonable expectation of privacy. To me, no other personal right is so scarred and battered as the freedom of speech--the First Amendment. With that heralded freedom, Americans have ripped, stomped, and burned the American flag. Some have donned white hooded robes and marched down the Jewish community of Skokie, Illinois brandishing swastikas. Many have stood in front of abortion clinics screaming, praying and begging women to let their babies live. In turn, they are reviled and harrassed.
The freedom of speech is one of the most abused freedoms we Americans have. Yet, to censor any speech, say some, would open the door to censor all. As society tolerates more and more as simply exercising one's liberty to speak freely, many find it necessary to cover the ears and eyes of their children. More and more Christians have had to accept foul and demeaning language in workplaces and public events.
As an internet blogger, I often have occasion to scratch my head in wonder at the critical words, condemnation, and impugning of another Christian brother or sister--all in the name of reproving, admonishing, or even bringing to light another's sin and call for repentance. It is sad. But sadder still, is the continual flow of negative rhetoric aimed at discrediting another's words, viewpoint, or beliefs. As Christians we are held to a higher standard--but when does one Christian's failings, flaws and sins grant others to critique, judge and condemn? Especially publicly--without restraint, without one iota of thought to the damage it does to their testimony (or another's), as an ambassador of Christ? as a minister of the gospel? as a brother or sister? What part of our own flesh is enticed to repeatedly fling accusations and taunts?
Dear Jesus, break our hearts. Show us the error of our own ways. Press upon our hearts the need to pray for our brothers and sisters of faith. Help us be ever mindful that we do not speak or write in vacumns or private closets. As we rejoice in our "considerable liberties" bestowed upon us by Your grace through Jesus Christ, help us "do so in the context of understanding of [our] mission on the earth". selahV
