Dear Readers / Fellow Citizens:
I want to offer my condolences to our readers in France and to the french nation as a whole. I also want to offer my thoughts and prayers to our brothers and sisters in Ukraine, as well as all nations whom are experiencing conflict. Let me also apologize for the tardiness of this post. I had originally written this post on 1/11, however after conferring with my colleagues, the decision was made to rewrite it. You see, I allowed my political views as well as my worldly views to cloud the true message here. It is very important that we separate the two. As a Christian, I know and understand that God’s freedom is the freedom from sin. He also gave man the freedom of choice with the hopes that man would make the right choice. He allowed us to govern ourselves.
I am a Christian first, but I am also a citizen of this planet. As a Christian, I believe that true freedom comes from our Lord. As a man who must be governed while on this earth, I believe in democracy and the rights we are allotted as citizens of democracy. I also believe that democracy should be for every citizen on earth. I will be the first to admit that democracy is not perfect – my current situation is proof of that. None-the-less, it has empirically proven to be the best way to govern on earth. As a Christian, I do not agree with the negative cartoons published by Charlie Hebdo. Belittling someone’s beliefs is not somehing that I condone. My job as a Christian is to spread the Gospel truth. I am not God. I cannot judge anyone. As a citizen, however, I agree with freedom of speech. For it is that very freedom that allows me to spread the Gospel, even while in jail.
Though they haven’t all been respected by my government, I am grateful for the rights afforded me as a citizen. Even though my rights have been ignored and I am a man who has been wrongfully convicted, I still believe in my country and its Constitution. I will never stop fighting for my freedom and my rights because they are worth fighting for even until death. Of course, I speak of earthly death. For as a Christian, I shall never truly know death. Only my flesh shall perish. I commend all the people who gathered on 1/11 in Paris. It was a beautiful sight to behold. I cried tears of joy. My only regret is that it was not done in the name of Jesus. None-the-less, as a citizen, it was beautiful to see people put aside their differences and unify in a show of solidarity. You know, folks, we will never be in total agreement on earth. However, some of us can live in peace if we can learn to co-exist despite our differences. Only believers can know the peace of Christ, but we can live without violence if we choose regardless of our faith or beliefs. It is possible to be a good Christian as well as a good citizen. We are encouraged to do so in the Bible. Romans 13:1 says “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.” As a Christian, I do not agree with Charlie Hebdo, but as a citizen, I respect their rights. For if they are denied their freedom of speech today, then tomorrow mine may be denied. I don’t believe that the government should be allowed to dictate what we say or how we express our opinions. I don’t want them telling me what to preach or censoring the Word. We must never let that happen nor should we allow people with evil in their hearts to make us live in fear. No, I do not agree with Charlie Hebdo, but as a a citizen, I am very happy to say “Je suis Charlie”.
May God Bless and Keep You. May His freedom reign forever. Amen!
Love in Christ,
Randall