This past weekend, we in the United States got to celebrate the 239th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It set our country as a “free” country and gave us as citizens special and specific rights, such as freedom of religion, the right to bear arms, etc.
It’s truly an exciting day. There are fireworks everywhere! And in the city we live in, our neighbors put on a spectacular truly better than a lot of professional displays out there. I’m sure they spend a ton of money on those amazing fireworks! Backyard barbecues, festivals, high school gatherings, event fireworks, and much, much more. Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie and Chevrolet! (A song from a commercial when I was a girl.)
But let’s take a minute and discuss this word “FREEDOM”.
FREEDOM:
1.
the state of being free or at liberty rather than in confinement or under physical restraint:
He won his freedom after a retrial.
2.
exemption from external control, interference, regulation, etc.
3.
the power to determine action without restraint.
4.
political or national independence.
5.
personal liberty, as opposed to bondage or slavery:
a slave who bought his freedom.
6.
exemption from the presence of anything specified (usually followed byfrom):
freedom from fear.
7.
the absence of or release from ties, obligations, etc.
Freedom has quite a few definitions according to the dictionary. I especially appreciate numbers two through five. Those are the kickers!
I happened to read a post on my FB wall that was talking about this very subject. It basically said that life is short, so why can’t we all just not talk about politics or religion, and just all be happy together. well, as I have observed, we are losing our freedoms one by one in a very quiet and sneaky manner. And it’s this very thought process that is causing this to happen…
People are too complacent to get involved in a political issue. “Oh, I might lose a friend”, “Oh, I’m too shy to talk about such things”, and the best one, “Oh, it’s not affecting me, so why should I get involved”. And so slowly, but surely things like free speech and religious freedom and soon the right to bear arms are being stripped away and everyone is too afraid or too content to stand up and be cause a stir.
So, what does the Bible say about “Freedom”?
As we watch our freedom of religion being spoken of as hate speech or intolerance, we are still free. We are free to love people just as Jesus did. We are free to speak about Jesus freely and in open places. We are free to use the Word to inspire and correct. It may not make us the most popular kid on the block, but we need to get back to speaking the truth in love.
I’ve seen so many arguments about things in the media in recent days that turn into all out war. Christians are combative because we are actually trying to be the Holy Spirit to those with whom we are having the conversation, the one who convinces and convicts. Kiddies, it’s not our job. Our job is to speak the truth in love and leave it there. God promises His word does not come back void… it’s planting seeds and hopefully those will bloom and grow as God intends.
John 8:36 says,
36 So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.
Our freedom comes from Jesus, the one and only Son of God. Nobody, and I mean NOBODY can take that away. Not the government with all of this nonsense about hate, not the friend who unfriends you on Facebook, not your family member who just can’t understand why you don’t think like they do… NOBODY! So don’t lose hope!
Just a last scripture for you…
Hebrews 12:2
2 [a]fixing our eyes on Jesus, the [b]author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Let’s keep our eyes on Jesus. When we start to look around at world events and so-called culture, we could easily get discouraged. Like Peter when he walked on the water, our faith may get weakened and we may start to sink.
Things may be coming quickly in our nation to make us look around… people are starting to say good is bad and bad is good, that’s how upside down our world is. But if we keep our eyes on Jesus, we will not drown! We will stay standing above it all with Jesus!
FOR THE JOY SET BEFORE US, LET FREEDOM RING!
bride linda kay 