"I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure it will
cost us to maintain this declaration, and support and defend these states.
Yet through all the gloom I see the rays of ravishing light and glory.
I can see that the end is worth all the means.
This is our day of deliverance." - John Adams
"Freedom is not America's gift to the world, it is the Almighty God's gift to every man and woman in this world." George W. Bush
1. Cries of Freedom from around the World
Since 1776, there have been numerous cries of freedom ringing from around the world. We cannot forget the joy as slavery came to an end across the world. Freedom as African states fought to gain independence from the European Colonialists. Freedom as the apartheid era came to an end in South Africa in 1994. Freedom as tyrants fall all around the world and people are set free from these oppressions. Freedom has rang during the 21st century as countries like Iraq are being set free from dictatorship. Freedom of humanity. Freedom for all. Freedom for all men. If you look at the declaration of independence, it says all men are created equal.
“This, then, is the state of the union: free and restless, growing and full of hope. So it was in the beginning. So it shall always be, while God is willing, and we are strong enough to keep the faith.” ~Lyndon B. Johnson
Freedom has its life in the hearts, the actions, the spirit of men and so it must be daily earned and refreshed - else like a flower cut from its life-giving roots, it will wither and die. ~Dwight D. Eisenhower
2. The Price of Freedom
Thomas Jefferson: The price of freedom is eternal Vigilance. Over the course of history various people died for our freedom. Today we can count thousands of soldiers who died in Iraq. We cannot forget the 170 million who died in the 20th Century alone. Humanity was created to be free. Most of the time it is the helpless, the children and the women who are left to die during battles.
3. Freedom Demands Duty, Discipline and Determination
It is about responsibility. I am my brother’s keeper. I am my sister’s keeper. That is what freedom is all about. I care about those around me and think about their well being as well as mine. That is what it is. What freedom is and What freedom is not. It is not selfishness. It is not about me but about my brother, my sister. It is not about what I want to achieve but about collectiveness. It is not about how much I want to have but how much I would like to give. It is not about competition but it is about how can I uplift my brother, my sister. It is not about my space, but how can I help my neighbor. It doesn’t only come during tragedy but also in times of joy and peace.
4. True Liberty is in Christ
We have been set free from sin. Free from death. Free from disease. Free from addiction. Free from everything that keeps human in bondage. Sometimes we are not even free from ourselves. John 8:32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
Gal 5:1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty with which Christ has made us free, and do not again be held with the yoke of bondage.
1Co 7:22 For he who is called a slave in the Lord is a freed man of the Lord. And likewise, he who is called a free man is a slave of Christ. We are to become slaves of Christ.
1Co 7:21 Were you called as a slave? It does not matter to you, but if you are able to become free, use it rather.
Rom 8:2 But the Law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
Rom 7:6 But now we having been set free from the Law, having died to that in which we were held, so that we serve in newness of spirit and not in oldness of the letter.
Rom 6:22 But now, being made free from sin, and having become slaves to God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Matthew 11:28. WE come to church carrying the same things. And go back home with the same things. Forgetting that we can hand them over to Christ who will take care of them.
5. God has Called us all to Freedom
1Pe 2:16 as free, and not having freedom as a cover of evil, but as servants of God.
Act 28:31 proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching those things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom, and without hindrance.
Lev 25:10 And you shall make the fiftieth year holy, one year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee to you, and you shall return each man to his possession, and you shall return each man to his family.
6. Alter Call
Those who have been in bondage. Whether some type of sin. Maybe you are holding something against someone from years back. Maybe it is something somebody did to you years back. Maybe you need financial freedom, ( I need that too). Maybe you are living a secret life and you know it is wrong. Maybe you have a burden for your son, niece, mother, father, or you are in bondage of some addiction. Here is your chance to claim you freedom in Christ. Because to whom the son sets free is free indeed.
2 comments:
As a student of the scriptures, I appreciated your comments on spiritual and physical freedom. I also believe that finding freedom is one of major purposes of our life here. Any sort of bondage, including addiction, debt, or pride, hinder us from free worshiping and serving our Savior, Jesus Christ.
Of course, the chains of life are strong and heavy, but as we accept Christ's sacrifice for us, these chains can be broken and we can move forward with greater faith and greater freedom.
Thanks again for your reminder and your faith.
God Bless.
Thank you for your comments. Indeed, freedom is what Christ meant for us when "he took it all" to and on the cross. The beauty of it all is that we became free as he "loosened" the chains and arose from the dead to declare victory over the enemy.
Keep the Faith.
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