True Freedom of Speech!

The United States has trumpeted the right of its citizens to speak freely for years, but the last twenty years have made a mockery of that claim. Freedom of Speech has been under attack from both the right and the left in this country. The political left has practiced shaming and vilifying those on the right for years and has attempted to regulate speech on social media. More recently, the right has itself embraced censorship, using all of the tools of government at its disposal, and employing congressional redistricting to negate demographic changes in the electorate. In other words, both sides have worked at a feverish pace to exclude the voices of each other's constituencies. Instead of trying to earn the support of voters outside of their traditional constituencies, they have circled the wagons and tried their darndest to exclude the other wagon train!

Unfortunately, within the context of human governance, the rights to freedom of religion, speech, and press are all too often dependent on the whim of those in power or the mood of the populace. Within the context of the Christian Church, those rights must truly be regarded by Christ's disciples as Divinely given/mandated. Indeed, for Christ's disciples, speaking truth to power is NOT just a privilege or freedom - it is an obligation! Even so, that freedom/obligation is too often abused and misinterpreted among Christians. Instead of speaking about salvation through Jesus Christ, they choose to offer commentary on the political systems and policies of this world! Instead of being the voice of the voiceless and downtrodden, they choose to speak on behalf of the political elites of this world! Instead of speaking about the cure for sin and alienation from God, they choose to berate sinners, migrants, and the poor!

For those who are trying to follow the example of Christ and his apostles, Scripture makes very clear that they will be speaking about things like love, salvation, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, patience, peace, service to others, etc. We should also remember that Christ often upbraided the religious leadership of his day, and that his disciples often suffered persecution at the hands of both the political and religious elites of the First Century. In this connection, please consider the following passages:

Acts 4:1 And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. 5 On the next day their rulers and elders and scribes gathered together in Jerusalem, 6 with Annas the high priest and Caiaphas and John and Alexander, and all who were of the high-priestly family. 7 And when they had set them in the midst, they inquired, “By what power or by what name did you do this?” 8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders, 9 if we are being examined today concerning a good deed done to a crippled man, by what means this man has been healed, 10 let it be known to all of you and to all the people of Israel that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead—by him this man is standing before you well. 11 This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you, the builders, which has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus. 14 But seeing the man who was healed standing beside them, they had nothing to say in opposition. 15 But when they had commanded them to leave the council, they conferred with one another, 16 saying, “What shall we do with these men? For that a notable sign has been performed through them is evident to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But in order that it may spread no further among the people, let us warn them to speak no more to anyone in this name.” 18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” (ESV)

Proverbs 31:8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. (NIV)

Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow. (NIV)

Psalm 82:2 “How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? 3 Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed. Rescue the weak and the needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked. (NIV)

James 1:26 If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless. 27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world. (ESV)

Matthew 20:25 But Jesus called them to him and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. 26 It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” (ESV)

Matthew 28:18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. (ESV)

I Corinthians 2:2 When I first came to you, dear brothers and sisters, I didn’t use lofty words and impressive wisdom to tell you God’s secret plan. 2 For I decided that while I was with you I would forget everything except Jesus Christ, the one who was crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness—timid and trembling. 4 And my message and my preaching were very plain. Rather than using clever and persuasive speeches, I relied only on the power of the Holy Spirit. 5 I did this so you would trust not in human wisdom but in the power of God. (NLT)

II Corinthians 3:17 For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (NLT)

Galatians 5:22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! (NLT)

Now, that is real freedom of speech! Christians have the ability, freedom, and obligation to speak of these things - NOT to offer up political commentary or denigrate sinners! In my humble opinion, Scripture couldn't be any clearer on this point! What do you think?