Greetings!
The Nonexistent Fundamental Belief
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.”
2 Corinthians 3:17
All denominations have fundamental beliefs. There is one I wish all churches would add to their beliefs and practices. I call it the nonexistent fundamental belief and would be as follows.
“Liberty of thought and practice under the guidance of God’s Word and Spirit is essential to Christian belief and practice. Which encourages the unhindered study and open discussion of the Scriptures💞. It upholds the individual’s freedom of conscience in seeking to determine and obey the will of God in their lives.”
The apostle Paul in 2 Corinthians 3:17 states it so well, “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Surely, unveiled access to God is everyone’s right.
Thomas Jefferson stated so clearly in the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, LIBERTY and the Pursuit of Happiness…”
Patrick Henry was emphatic in this belief, “Give me liberty or give me death.”
The freedom and Liberty we give to the individual on their journey to Oneness with God is absolutely essential to developing their Christlike character and a walk with God. God’s first denominated church tried to hinder the Life, Liberty and Development of Jesus Christ’s influence to such an extent, “That it is expedient for us that one man should die… and not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11: 50).
Finding the freedom to be who God has created and intends one to be, can be quite disturbing to the herd mentality, which encourages the tendency for one’s behavior or beliefs to conform to those of the group or culture to which one belongs. This becomes threatening to group-think. If you don’t believe this, just try to think outside the box of your family, church, political affiliation, employment, society or the clique you want to hang with.
Open discourse is under assault in all aspects of life today, unpopular prospective is disallowed and certain opinions are best not expressed- so dangerous!
Just ask Enoch, Abraham, Moses, Noah, Elijah, Job, David, Daniel, Hosea, John the Baptist, Jesus, Paul, Wycliff, Huss, Jerome, Luther, Wesley, Bunyan, Chambers, Finney, Murray, Smith, Miller, White, Moody, Taylor and scores of others renowned and nameless. It has become apparent to me, that all of these “great ones” had to find their experience beyond their own respective institutions and religious cultures.
When we stifle or overly control an individual’s liberty in Christ, all we produce is cookie cutouts. May we not suffocate each other!
It is when I am alone with God that He speaks to me the loudest.
Jim Hohnberger
Empowered Living Ministries
