A Matter Of Conscience

Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to dispute over doubtful things.  For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak only eats vegtables.  Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; For God has received him.  Who are you to judge another's servant?  To his own master he stands or falls.  Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.  One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike.  Let each be fully convinced in his own mind.  He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it.  He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat,to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.  For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.  For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord.  Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord's.  For this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living.  But why do you judge your brother?  Or why do you show contempt for your brother?  For we shall all stand before the judgement seat of Christ.  For it is written:  "As I live, says the LORD,Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God."  So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Romans 14: 1-12 NKJV

Recently the news has been filled with the actions of one Colin Kaepernick of the NFL's San Fransisco Forty Niners.  And for good reason.  It seems that the young Kaepernick, citing his conflict of conscience, refused to stand for our nations national anthem before a recent game, which is tradition in sports.  Just what were his reasons for immersing himself in this political firestorm?  Well, Mr. Kaepernick explained that he could not stand in support of the flag of a country which mistreats and discriminates against minorities.  Now, whether we agree with his stand or not, we must agree that one of the rights which is the very fabric of our nation certainly allows Kaepernick to raise his voice in protest to something he believes is wrong.  For it is our freedom of speech which sets us apart from many countries across the world.  Believe it or not, there remain nations in this world where, if one would raise their voice in protest to a policy or situation they believed was wrong, they would be imprisoned, beaten or even put to death!  More than a few of these nations have even been recognized by president Barack Obama as "Progressive."  It is no secret that the right of a nations citizens to voice their disagreements has been both a cause of celebration and loathing.  In our own history, it was the disgruntled voices of early colonists which led to the Revolutionary War.  The voices of those supporting the ownership of slaves and those opposed to such a practice led to the Civil War which nearly divided a young nation.  More recently, voices of dissent have risen across our nation is opposition to our military involvement in Vietnam and in response to racial tensions nationwide.  Our nation has a storied history of both violent and non violent protest.

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:  "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank you that I am not like other men - extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all I posses.'  And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!"  "I tell you, this man went doen to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
Luke 18: 9-14 NKJV

Is there a line between one who speaks their conscience and arrogance?  Perhaps, but fewer still are those who have the right to judge those who choose to voice what they feel in their hearts is right.  Was Colin Kaepernick wrong for the stance which he took?  Perhaps, but the one who passes judgement on such matters does not happen to be us.  No, for we merely serve the Lord who eventually judges the hearts of all.  There have been far too many times where I have raised my voice in protest over something I did  not feel was right.  Unfortunately, I have also alienated more than a few people with these stands of conscience.  Are we to then weigh the impact of our conscience upon others before we speak it?  I would say no, but others might disagree...and in turn speak their conscience.  One cannot live in such a nation of freedoms without eventually running contrary to another who does not agree with our opinion.  One thing is for certain, however, even though we may not  agree with what others tell us, it is our duty to fight for their right to speak their conscience.

~Scott~