“From Galatians 5:13 – You were called to freedom, brethren, to serve one another through love.

May the world see the light of His glory and know the mystery of truth is found in the love of your fellow-man and wanting to treat him as you are treated; that truth can be logically applied to civil laws that protect and provide security for the common good.

The following may become my personal theme for a unified world, unified in respect for each other:

Open all the religious books in all areas of the world and encourage all the people to read, learn and understand each other. Would it not be better to use the books and not weapons, to enable the mind of man, our greatest gift from God, to intelligently select one’s path, have diversity and exchange ideas in harmony and a forum of objectivity. We may not all choose the same religion, it should be faith-based and not ideological, but we will choose freedom and a want for all people to have rights and receive the same protections.”

Freedom

May I now add.  Freedom is a source to be considered.  Where did this concept come from.  Important in this context is the freedom to independently read any books, even scripture, of your choosing, the ability to explore other ideas, ideologies, religions and ways of living.  To be aware and to find that which most appeals to you from a complete understanding of the world, constantly expanding what you know, learning, is an essential element of a fulfilled life.

The primary religions with a central almighty authority, so catagorized today, are Christian, Islam and Judaism.  Catholic and Protestant are components of Christian.  Christianity derived from Judaism having foundations in the Bible’s Old Testament.  The advent of the birth of Jesus, his life, death as punishment for mankind’s sins, and most notably his resurrection altered the landscape for the Jews, many converting to become followers of Christ.  The New Testament reveals Christ and the saving Grace of the Lord, the Gospel, which provides salvation to believers.

Islam Rises from the Desert

Islam came into existence from the life of Muhammad, a self-proclaimed prophet, and followers whose leaders after Muhammad’s death, I argue, used the mantle of Muhammad’s god, Allah, to conquer lands well beyond those where followers of Muhammad began.  Islam’s roots are shallow, dating to a period of time when Muhammad experienced revelations until his death, a period of about 10 or 15 years.  He died, poisoned by his closest family members, in 632. Islam’s scripture, the Quran, refers often to Biblical history, Old Testament stories and personalities.  In addition the Quran acknowledges the virgin Mary and her giving birth to Jesus, the Messiah.  However the Quran does not recognize Jesus Christ as divine.

When Moses lead his Jewish brethren from Egypt, where they lived as oppressed people, slaves, freedom became a reality for those who escaped.  The date falls, estimated by many scholars, during the reign of Pharaoh Amenhotep II, or between 1450 and 1400 bc (the exact dates are difficult to ascertain, but his reign is estimated to have been up to 35 years).  The Exodus examplifies freedom of the oppressed. The period of the rule of Amenhotep, his father before him (Thutmose) and others is referred to as that of the New Kingdom Pharaohs.  One of the greatest projects in Egypt, along with many temples built, is that of Karnak, near Luxor, Egypt, on the banks of the Nile.

Freedom thru Christ

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” (Gal 5:1). Jesus made it clear than the laws, a strict application of laws, was a construct of man.  The biblical laws set forth mainly in Leviticus are intended as a tool of understanding, similarly the ten commandments.  Applying logic they were initially intended as a matter of cleanliness and obedience to God; the ten commandments, from God, are basic elements of respect and proper consideration for the rights of others.  Christ provided freedom for those acknowledging their sinful nature, the bad news, by sacrificing himself in our place, taking the punishment we deserve, as a ransom for you and me, and enabling our salvation, the good news.  For those who believe, God is our guide, the Bible our manual, Christ our Savior and the Holy Spirit ignited within, our reminder.  We have been set free.

Hope and Joy fills those who believe in God, our creator, and the truth, which the Bible sets forth.  It provides a way of life unconstrained except as to our understanding, love and acceptance of God, who loves everyone more than we will ever fully comprehend.  After all he did provide a means for mankind to get to know Him, through himself, incarnate, living among us, and dying as a man, resurrected as proof of his divine nature, as only God can do.

We are imperfect beings saved by God’s Grace when we believe and atone for our inherent sin nature. Love is why.

Grace and Peace.