True Freedom

During the summer months, we take the time to reflect on a very special holiday that has tremendous significance to all the people that live in the United States of America. This July 4th, we will celebrate the 245th anniversary of our nation’s birth as we declared our independence from Great Britain. As time ensued, our nation has overcome the threats that would otherwise place our people in jeopardy of losing the great privilege of being free with great resolve.
It is not difficult to see the ills surrounding the absence of freedom in a political scope. There are billions of people in the world that live without the blessings of liberty that Americans enjoy each and every day. Still, freedom and liberty is not just an attribute enjoyed by Americans as a result of living in the United States. Freedom and liberty is so much larger than that. A person could live their entire life enjoying the life of liberty in America and still perish as a slave at the end of life’s way.
In Galatians 5:13, the Apostle Paul writes, “For you were called to freedom, brethren;only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another”. So many Americans uses the freedoms to advance their own agenda as they steal away its most precious meaning. You only need to watch the news to see how American freedom has given rights to people so they can live any immoral way they wish. Politicians use freedom to declare rights that are blatantly wrong. We use liberty to justify the corruption of human sexuality that changes the identity of the male and female gender. We continue to throw the freedom card on the table when it comes to the sanctity of life and the right to choose death over life for the unborn; yet, our liberal society cries ‘foul’ when the freedom of asserting faith and righteous into the culture are suggested.
I think this is exactly what is meant when the Bible says, “only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh”. Our liberties and rights should never be in conflict with the Word of God. In fact, our freedoms should be used to enhance the message of the gospel. America has had a rich and prosperous history giving acknowledgement to God; however, it seems to fade with the passing of time. We seem to forget how blessed we are as a people and nation and that blessing is not by accident or coincidence. I am reminded of God’s words in Genesis 12 regarding the Israelite nation that would come from the line of Abraham.
God said, “I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed”. It simply shows how God is faithful to those who are faithful to him.
The freedom that we have as a nation is a wonderful gift. As far as I am concerned, there is no better place on earth to live. America has so much to be thankful for. My only concern is that gifts are sometime mistreated, misused, and taken for granted. It is my prayer that our freedoms and liberties would be used the way the scriptures tells us to use them. They are the means to draw us together in the family of God and to unite us as a people; living holy lives that are pleasing and upright in the sight of the Lord.