“Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” 1 Corinthians 10:31 NKJV
There is no sector of life where you can temporarily deposit your spiritual beliefs into a religious box and then take them out at a more convenient time. Everyone lives according to their worldview. This is the body of ideas, beliefs, and values through which you view the world, interpret life as it is, and the way in which you think it should be. Everyone behaves as determined by their beliefs, therefore our worldview shapes everything. Just as John Stonestreet of the Colson Center for Christian Worldview once said, “If we are not deliberate in building our worldview, then we will still have one. It just will not be the right one.” Understanding this reality is critical to the God-given and constitutional right of our first freedom enshrined by our founding fathers in the U.S. Constitution.
Religious liberty is necessary to the civil governance of society and the preservation of freedom that has formed the heart and soul of American exceptionalism. This country has historically been a beacon of hope to the masses because of the freedom to practice one’s religious beliefs according to conscience as opposed to the tyrannical whims of despotism. From our earliest days, America has been a haven for religious dissidents by the likes of the Mayflower Pilgrims and English Puritans who settled the New England colonies in the 17th century. Just as Roger Williams, founder of Rhode Island, affirmed: it is outside the jurisdiction of government as set forth by the Sovereign Creator, Jesus Christ, to mandate which religious beliefs its people are to hold or not hold. That is the kind of bondage which multitudes fled from in the Old World and found the freedom their hearts longed for in the New World.
Politicians discuss “freedom of worship”, but this is not the same thing as “freedom of religion.” Even though they sound similar, they are vastly different. When progressives discuss freedom of worship, they are promoting the idea that people are free to worship so long as their beliefs are limited to “pews, hearts, and homes.” This idea is much in contrast to freedom of religion or religious liberty because one’s beliefs which determine your worldview shape everything you do in the private and public arenas of life.
The Christian conscience as it relates to religious liberty is shaped by the revelation of Almighty God in the Bible. Everything the believer in Christ does is determined by the Word of God because it is our first and final authority for what we should believe and how we should live. This spirit was embodied by the famed herald of the Reformation, Martin Luther, who was called upon to give an answer for his beliefs because of their controversial nature which went against the corrupt traditions of Medieval Christendom. He declared that “My conscience is captive to the Word of God. I cannot and I will not recant anything for to go against conscience is neither right nor safe.”
The heart and soul of Christian conscience as determined by the Word of God is anchored in love for God and love for people and particularly vested in the Person and finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that He is the Ultimate Answer to the ultimate questions because He is the Creator, Purpose, and Savior of mankind. It is only through His vicarious or substitutionary death “for our sins” (1 Cor.15:3-4) and victorious resurrection that rebel sinners among all nations worldwide can be saved from God’s wrath in hell and live to the praise of His glory. This salvation is a gift of God’s amazing grace that must be received through faith alone in Christ alone for the glory of God alone (Eph.2:8-9).
The Lord Jesus Christ alone is worthy of the supreme allegiance of our conscience and entire being because of who He is and what He has done in creation, redemption, and providentially throughout history. Consider this: Is what you are living for worth Christ dying for? If not, something needs to change. If so, then faithfully invest the time, talent, and treasure of your life in eternity for the glory of our great God and Savior!
“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” Colossians 3:17 NKJV
Recommended Resources:
“One Nation Under God: Ten Things Every Christian Should Know About the Founding of America” by Dr. David C. Gibbs, Jr., President of Christian Law Association
“We Will Not Be Silenced: Responding Courageously to our Culture’s Assault on Christianity” by Dr. Erwin W. Lutzer, Pastor Emeritus of Moody Memorial Church
“The Gathering Storm: Secularism, Culture, and the Church” by Dr. R. Albert Mohler, Jr., President of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and Boyce College
