Freedom of Religion
I believe in God, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Almighty, From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
This is not a religious work. I’m not a clergy member, and I'm not here to convert you. I am a believer, a Christian, and my first strong belief is in the Almighty.
Why is this relevant? I am held to two principles. First, love the Lord your God. Second, love your neighbor as yourself.2 You’ll note these principles guide my thoughts on other matters. At times a contradiction might appear–in business, in leadership matters. These principles trump others, though the world is complex and chaotic and perfection is unattainable.
I don’t claim to be a “better” believer than others. And I have many questions for the I Am. Why did you take the neighbor boy’s life when he was 5? If you anointed the benevolent Persian King Cyrus (some 150 years before he was born 3) to capture Babylon so the Jews could return to Israel 4 5, do you anoint other world leaders–even the wicked ones? Ghengis Khan worshiped the God of Sky (Tengri 6)–is that you? Why do you tolerate so many who, in your name, clearly demonstrate they fail to love others? So many other questions.
I cannot condemn others who worship in a different way. God made a covenant with Abraham, that he would be the “father of many nations” 7. Abraham had two sons, Isaac 8and Ishmael 9. Three world religions trace their lineage to Abraham through these sons: Christian 10, Jewish 11, and Muslim 12 13. Who am I to condemn someone who worships God for how they worship?
I cannot condemn others who have different beliefs. There are many world religions. God will search for God’s sheep. God will judge between fat sheep and lean sheep, and between rams and goats. 14 I am not instructed to judge others. I am explicitly instructed NOT to judge others–I might have a plank in my own eye. 15
I cannot condemn those who do not believe. Only God may condemn. God outlines if a wicked person repents and does what is just and right, God will not condemn them, and if the righteous disobey, they will be condemned. 16 Likewise, the son of God outlines workers in the vineyard who were hired about five in the afternoon each received a denarius. Others who were hired earlier expected to receive more. But each one of them also received a denarius. The denarius, the kingdom of God. And, “the King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’” 19 If you serve God by serving others I feel like God will look at that kindly. If you do not serve others, you still won’t answer to me. You and I both answer to the maker of heaven and earth.
God, have mercy on me, a sinner. 20 Though there be no herd in the stalls, may I find joy in the God of my salvation. 21 May my meditation be sweet to you. 22 May I rend my heart and not my garments. 23 May I serve at the foot of the throne of God. 24
Faith is from God, because God is faithful. 25 26 May God pursue you all the days of your life. May God pursue me all the days of mine.
