Free Exercise

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;

This morning, I got up and looked over my notes while Zach set up the cameras and the lights. At 10AM, we went “live” to share the Good News of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Almost every Sunday over the last twenty plus years, I have had the privilege of leading worship in some capacity. Not once have I ever been afraid that someone would come through the door and arrest me. I have had no fear of prosecution or persecution. As a Christian pastor fortunate enough to serve the Church in the United States of America, I am protected by the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the Constitution. I am keenly aware of the tremendous responsibility that comes with this foundational right.

The First Amendment is not without tension. Living under its protection requires a very delicate balance. We will flesh that out further in the days ahead.

But for today, as the sun sets on the sabbath I am grateful for my Christian faith. I am also grateful for my Jewish heritage (my maternal grandfather was Jewish) as that very sunset also ushered in Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement - the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. I am grateful that both traditions can flourish under the protection of the very same document. I am grateful that people of all faiths and those with no faith at all are given the same opportunity to live out their personal convictions both privately and publicly.

I’ll close this evening with these words:

You were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only don’t let this freedom be an opportunity to indulge your selfish impulses, but serve each other through love. All the Law has been fulfilled in a single statement: Love your neighbor as yourself.

Galatians 5:13-14 CEB