Freedom to Share

Because Jesus lives in us, we are to display His love and communicate His hope. In a world where despair is all-too-common, we can be sustained by the hope that comes from the Lord. Paul wrote this in Romans 15:

4 For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
5 Now may the God of patience and comfort grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus,
6 that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Later in the chapter, we can read these words:

13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In those times where we feel distressed or confused, we can know that God's hope is available to us.  And, as Hebrews 11 teaches us, if we embrace His hope with faith, we can experience amazing things in our lives. 

This week, Christian communicators are gathering near Andalusia at Blue Lake Camp to be encouraged and equipped by leading Christian authors and by one another.  We need the message of the gospel that brings hope to our world today - and believers have been uniquely empowered to demonstrate the presence of the Lord all around us.

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Even though we may encounter those who reject our faith perspective, we can still be diligent to live out the Christian life, exhibit His compassion, and radiating a sense of His hope. Romans 12 offers some guidelines for our relationships, including with those with whom we don't see eye-to-eye:
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.
16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

The rise of what is termed "cancel culture" has created an atmosphere in which people do not feel free to express their opinion in the workplace, a phenomenon that certainly has a chilling effect. And, a recently released Ipsos survey, which was commissioned by Alliance Defending Freedom’s Viewpoint Diversity Score initiative, indicates that this is being experienced by a majority of the employees surveyed. 

The Christian Post reported on the "Freedom at Work" survey; the article states: "Among their findings...researchers found that three out of five respondents said it was 'likely or somewhat likely' that 'respectfully expressing religious or political viewpoints would' result in 'negative consequences at work.'

The article goes on to say:

Additionally, one in four respondents said they knew “someone who has experienced negative consequences for respectfully expressing their religious and political viewpoints.”

ADF Senior Counsel and Senior Vice President for Corporate Engagement Jeremy Tedesco was quoted in the announcement as saying that “these survey results show that a significant number of employees” are afraid “their religious or political views could cost them their job.”

“We created the Viewpoint Diversity Score Business Index to help companies measure and improve their respect for religious and viewpoint diversity,” stated Tedesco.

The summary of the report relates that almost half of respondents "say their companies could make important progress by adopting policies that protect viewpoint diversity in the workplace and the freedom of employees to engage in political activities on their own time without fear of repercussions at work."

Back to the Christian Post article; it also notes: 

Other findings of the report included 54% of respondents said they believed sharing political content on their own social media accounts could result in negative consequences at work, and 42% of potential job seekers said they were less likely to apply for work at a company that had a work culture that was hostile to their religious or political views.

A Summit Ministries/McLaughlin and Associates report from last year showed that "42 percent of American voters say they are hesitant to share their opinions on important cultural or political issues for fear of backlash from family, friends, or coworkers."

Also, the Summit poll found that "31 percent of American voters are concerned that their personal opinions and beliefs could cost them their job."

But, a large majority of respondents indicated that they believed in freedom to share religious beliefs in public; the survey summary noted, "79 percent of American voters believe people who adhere to values found in the Bible have the right to express their religious beliefs publicly."

These poll results actually highlight a situation that should not exist.  But, if, as Christians, who seem to face our share of intolerance in culture, are to embrace the concept of religious freedom and sharing religious ideas, we have to make sure that we are living Biblically-informed lives. 

For one thing, we have to make sure that we exhibit conviction without confrontation.  If our stance is argumentative, then we run the risk of alienating those we are sent to in order to make an impact for Christ.  We should always strive, by the power of the Holy Spirit, to bring a sense of the hope of Jesus into the interactions we have.

We should strive to be peacemakers, which means that we should walk in compassion without compromise.  In other words, we should live out our faith and speak of our faith, but to communicate it in the right way.  That also entails listening to the points of view of others - strong in our own convictions, not allowing ourselves to be unduly influenced, but building a bridge through which we can share what God has taught us.