Letter: Editorial: Is that what freedom means?

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RE: Editorial: Is that what freedom means?

Freedom over the power of sin and pardon from the penalty of sin never are permission to engage in sin (Romans 5:12-6:23).

Through the sacrificial and substitutionary death of Jesus on the cross, believers are justified—set right in God’s sight—and empowered to do right by the indwelling presence and power of the Holy Spirit—not just saved, but being sanctified to serve our Lord, not sin.

Yes, we do well to celebrate political freedom over tyranny and advocate for religious liberty in every area of society, but these freedoms pale in comparison to biblical freedom.

The so-called freedom to abort the innocent unborn or to engage in homosexual unions is a perversion of biblical freedom, and it is evidence our country has misused and even abused God’s grace, deserving his just judgement. These abominations ought to be unthinkable in any society. Philosophically they are untenable, unnatural and ought to be universally abhorrent.

It is the genuine duty of all Christian disciples to be salt and light, making a difference for Jesus Christ and the kingdom of God by clearly proclaiming the true gospel and the only way to spiritual freedom in Jesus Christ. The freedom to proclaim that gospel and defend that gospel is a liberty we celebrate in the United States.

In like manner we defend the right of others to proclaim their religion in the marketplace of ideas, for to rob any of their religious liberty is to threaten our own liberty, our first protected freedom in the Bill of Rights.

Kevin Mitchell, pastor, First Baptist Church
Pecos, Texas


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