Freeing Speech

We spend our days on land which is simultaneously national park and White House property. This unique placement has allowed us to play the observer to many parties exercising their First Amendment rights. We have seen protests about nuclear weapons and Ebola; signs thanking the president and condemning him; parked trucks painted with calls to repentance and calls to a masked march. Whether we agree or disagree with the topic, we can all be grateful to live in a country where, for now, we have a right to express our opinions.

As a Christian group with the mission of loving Jesus, we cannot help but pay more attention to those individuals and groups who use the public platform to promote Christianity. For David\’s Tent, as a team, we choose to allow worship of God and a spirit of blessing to take precedent, and many people are drawn to the tent rather than repelled from it. After all, the Word tells us it is His kindness that leads to repentance (Romans 2:4). It is those who love Him who keep His commands (John 14:23).

So, of course, when I see groups walking through the Ellipse with signs and bullhorns, shouting judgement scriptures and threatening with hellfire, I cringe. I want to turn away like a sister embarrassed by her brother in the school cafeteria. I want to run in front of them and yell, \”This isn\’t really Jesus! This isn\’t the heart of God! This isn\’t true Christianity!\”

I wonder, though, if that feeling is to defend God, or to defend me.

I was reading through Philipians today. Verse 15 begins:

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. (‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭15-18‬ NIV)

God does not need me to defend Him.

Now, theologians, I know that is not precisely what this scripture was referencing. I understand Paul was talking about preachers who preach with wrong motives, not wrong execution. I know we should always be prepared to defend the gospel and correct brothers and sisters in Christ when they are in error. I get that.

But I also get that the Jesus we are worshiping 24/7 for fifty days is sovereign. His name is not a fragile flower; it is a strong tower! He is my defender, and He works all things together for the good of those who love Him.

Perhaps someone, God knows whom, needed to hear something said from those bullhorns. Perhaps that eyesore truck with the threatening messages based on scripture made someone think. Perhaps, even the juxtaposition of David\’s Tent and these other Christian messengers will cause someone to stop and ask questions, to hear the gospel and receive His love and mercy.

The point is that Jesus called us to be light. Light does not have to fight for its place. It does not knock down walls or barriers, it simply goes through and around, filling the empty spaces.

You cannot make every \”Christian\” act Christ-like. You can, as verse 27 of the same chapter states, \”conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.\” We can pray, we can love, we can be the hands and feet of mercy. We can teach truth when given the opportunity. We can live in such a state of obedience to God as to surpass the laws of the land. We can be a peculiar people, in the best way possible.