Happiness: It’s personally and individually defined, and according to our government, we have the right to do so. That being said, can a government dictate happiness, and if so, at what cost?
Take, for example, the Middle East. In their definition of freedom and happiness, an ordered, predictable society is necessary. Hence, the covered women, the stifled opinions, the hereditary throne in many Middle Eastern nations, etc. For them, other options would be too unpredictable. So I digress.
In the States, our definitions of freedom and happiness propose that the government should not impose upon our personal opinions and pursuits. Though this is convenient, it is also dangerous in the respect that we then subject ourselves to our own depravity (hence, allowing Seth to steal all the apples). Our freedom can actually hold us captive. What then, is the cost of being free?
The cost is life itself. Thousands did just to defend us from those imposing their “freedoms” upon our own. And Jesus himself died to pay the consequences of the rampant freedom of our depravity. But is it finished?
We must lay down our lives as well. Literally? Perhaps. But at the very least, metaphorically. We must, at times, put our own comfort and interests aside to defend that of others. If we don’t want the government “interfering” into personal issues, then we must take care of the personal issues of others.
My point? We wouldn’t need welfare if the church was doing its job.
So step up and defend your freedom by defending somebody else. If we don’t want socialism, then we must do our part of the social contract.
What’s the cost of freedom? I am.
And that’s a price I’m willing to pay.
“You are not your own; you were bought at a price . . .” - 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
Soli Deo Gloria.
I 100% agree with you (especially on not needing welfare if the church did its job!). Reading this made me think of a political idea. If you believe in something and the government tries to change that for whatever reason, you should stand up for it. There's a bill being passed around in the Senate and the House right now called the ENDA Act (Employee Non-Discrimination Act). Basically, this bill would give people the guarantee that no matter what, they could not be denied a job because of discriminatory reasons, including religion. This would cause, for instance, Christian schools to have to hire gay or non-Christian teachers, if that was the sole cause they didn't want to hire them. If they find other reasons, the act is non-applicable, but coming from a Christian high school myself, i know that sometimes people are quickly turned away if they are not a Christian themselves or are not living a Christian lifestyle.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, the point I'm trying to get across is that if this bill DOES progress to the point of almost being passed, it is our duty as Christians to try to do something about it. Too often do we just sit back and let things happen without taking any action. If we truly want to reach the world and witness to them, how great a witness would it be for us to stand up PUBLICLY for what we believe in?