Tolerance as a religious liberty concept cannot be found in the Bible. It signals either blind and silent acceptance of all religious beliefs, or control and coercion against those religious beliefs that are considered dangerous. In the end, neither definition of tolerance attempts to free people from the power of sin.
For over 2,500 years, no legitimate theocracy has existed on earth, and this means that God has never authorized the Christian church to govern the state.
Where does human freedom, and our concept of it, come from? Is it the result of chance, the blind byproduct of unguided social and historical forces? Or is it an unalienable right bestowed by a higher power, as the writers of the Declaration of Independence suggest? The Bible states in Genesis 1:1 that God created the heaven and the earth, and profound implications about human freedom emerge from the Bible’s creation account.
What is the definition of religious liberty? Confusion can easily arise if one does not recognize that there are at least three definitions of religious liberty that originate from different sources and lead in vastly different directions. These three definitions might be called the atheistic, the theocratic, and the biblical.
The issue of religious liberty hinges on the same choice today. Will the church fully accept Christ as its master, or will it remain submitted to the world and its policies, philosophies, customs, and expectations? The truth can set us free, but we must be willing to surrender everything that separates us from the Freedom-Giver. The power belongs to God. The choice is ours.
Nicodemus eventually accepted Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, and became truly victorious among the people. This same victory, and this same freedom in Christ, is promised to us today. The power of redemption and transformation is God’s. The choice is ours.
The fight for religious liberty is found not only in the realm of abstract concepts and ideas. The battle plays itself out in a very tangible and personal arena. That stage is the body temple.
Just as He cleansed the temple two thousand years ago, He will cleanse His people today, so that they are prepared to stand in His presence when He returns. The miracle will take place. The only question that remains is whether we will be part of it.
The miracle at the marriage in Cana revealed that true transformation of character and true religious liberty are found in union with Christ, not in rounds of religious ritual and ceremony.
Religious liberty is freedom from sin. It is manifested in purity of speech and in a life lived consistently with who we claim to be. Let every Christian and every Christian church be without guile and be called by God an Israelite indeed.