March 30, 2011
Free Speech
Some letters-to-the-editor reveals that the writers have taken off their Christian hat and replaced it with a political hat. It’s as though theses believers can spew slander and untruth under the guise of being politically active and get a free pass because its free speech. The slanderer/liar can say what he wants to say and write what he wants to write without being challenged by either the community of believers, or by other political activists. Actually, free speech can be rather costly. Jesus says, “But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt 12:36-37 NIV)
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Gail;
-----I thought all manner of sins will be forgiven except blasphemy of the Spirit. So what’s up with being acquitted or condemned by your words? Then we always hear about actions speaking louder than words, yet those poor guys who cast out demons and did many mighty works in Jesus’ name found themselves turned away from the kingdom like goats. It seems something’s not adding up.
-----But we can all take relief in “seem” not being the same as “is”. Something really is adding up; all the Word’s arithmetic is accurate. Blessed are the poor in spirit, the mourners, the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers. Especially telling is the blessedness of those who hunger and thirst for righteousness and the pure in heart. Jesus pronounced these blessings upon folks having certain conditions of the heart - attitudes, if you will. Jesus said He had not come to do away with one jot or iota of the Law, so our need for Him is less about our not desiring righteousness and more about our not having that righteousness we do desire. The heart seems to be very important, at least in what it desires.
-----Let’s say a certain man is on trial for an accused crime, and one witness gives a particular piece of evidence that by itself establishes absolute innocence. The accused is not acquitted for having done the evidence; he is acquitted by the mere existence of the evidence. Likewise if the evidence established guilt he is not condemned for doing the evidence, but for doing the crime to which it points. Actions may speak louder than words, but words are more abundant since it is easier to speak than it is to do. A person can far more get away with speaking what would land him in big trouble if he did. So we dare not murder, yet we might curse the guy who beats us to the parking space at Wal-Mart. “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth evil.” (Mat 12:34b-35) It isn’t so much that we are acquitted or condemned because of the speaking of careless words as it is that the careless words bear witness to the true condition of the heart. Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness are blessed. Those who don’t aren’t.
Love you all,
Steve Corey
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