Today I was sitting in my Legal Issues class at Geneva College and we began talking about the topic of freedom of speech. I think that many times as Christians we are wimps when it comes to this area. We lay down and don't stand up for what we believe, and what we say we love. We say along with Peter that we love Jesus and will never turn our backs on him. Yet, when push comes to shove we let people walk all over our faith. They say that they don't like what we don't have to say, or that they won't listen to what we have to say about God. So, instead of continuing to preach the gospel, no matter what the pressure and trials are that we have to go through, we change our story or we go against everything that we say we believe in. I watched an interview in class today with a non-christian comic columnist and he said, and I quote "It is idiot for people to stop talking about any subject just because someone says that it is offensive to them." Now, this man was not talking about Christians or anything to do with faith. He was talking about life in general. If someone is that willing to make sure that no one takes away their freedom of speech when they could be telling someone why the grass is purple and the sky is yellow, then why do we as Christians lay down our faith and abandon our God at the slightest protest to what we have to say?
Paul says as he writes to Timothy,
"I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you."
(2 Timothy 1:3-14 ESV)
Why, with this information do Christians, more so here in America than elsewhere in the world, hide and cower in fear? I pray that going forth more people will take a stand for what they believe. No PERSON can tell us to stop talking about our faith in God. Yes, the apostle Peter did betray our Lord and deny him three times, yet when Jesus had prayed for him and brought him through the sifting of Satan, Peter went to jail for the message of the gospel that he shared. He could not be bullied or told what to say. I pray that we would learn the same lesson and take hold of the boldness that comes from Christ's love indwelt in our hearts.
