Living In Freedom

When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.  – Declaration of Independence, 1776

As the 4th of July is approaching, I have noticed that there are more and more American Flags being raised, fireworks stands coming up, and decorations set up for the holiday that we know as Independence Day. On the day of July 4th, we Americans celebrate our independence from  Britain. This was earned by our ancestors who fought for our freedom. Freedom to live separately from the rule of another government. To form our own government… “That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; … and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. – Declaration of Independence, 1776 … and make our own laws. “We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish the Constitution for the United States of America. – Constitution of the United States of America, 1787

This holiday now extends to paying homage to all of the men who still daily fight this battle today for our country. Because of this independence, we are able to live in a country that is free to make our own choices. We can choose what we give and who we give it to in terms of our time, money, devotion, and love. In our society today, I believe that we have let this go to our heads, and it has become a feeling of entitlement…entitled to everything that we see and is within our reach. But this is not a rant about entitlement. This is about what we have received because of the fight for our freedom, and the great joy that comes with it. We can enjoy having B-B-Q’s, watching movies, listening to music, and enjoying time with family, friends, and neighbors. We also have the right to work in jobs that we enjoy and pay for things that we need, want, and desire.  We can spend as much time doing these things as we want and then move on to another.

However, when we began to set our own laws and standards, we began to see that we can also break them and then do so. Why wouldn’t we? We made them because we are free, right? With our freedom to choose, we have set our own boundaries, which can be pushed back and back until there is no clear distinction between what is law and what is not. Then, the joy of living becomes mundane, and we strive to have more and more to fill up the boring or unfulfilled lives that we once enjoyed. We then become a nation that is running around trying to find happiness, which is never filled. And that journey leads to greed and destruction. Without a clear set of boundaries, there is not a firm consequence for our actions. We then take for granted the freedom and boundaries that were sought after with such vigor.

What boundaries am I referring to you ask. Think for a moment about a school house with a playground next to it. Inside the school, you see children working and learning of how our country was created and how to become more intelligent. The children have rules to follow in the school, and if they follow them, they will not get into trouble, be given structure on how to become good young men and women,  and grow up knowing how to live in the adult world. Now, let’s look at that playground. There are swings, monkey bars, slides, a basketball net, etc. for the children to enjoy playing on and playing together. But if you notice, there is a fence around the playground. If  there wasn’t a fence and those children are left to their own devices (setting their own rules), they have the choice run outside of the school property and get into trouble and even lost. The fence is also there to protect them from  the trespasser from coming inside the school property. Let’s not look at this as a prison for children or anything of the like. Rather let’s look at the freedom the children have to learn and play within a safe and fun environment.

I realize that this may be a bit puzzling, but stay with me while I bring it together.

I would like for you to take a minute and think about the sacrifice that was made on our behalf to live in a free world. Men and women have served, fought, and died so that you can feel free to make your own choices and live life to the fullest. While you are thinking about that sacrifice, are you also thinking about what cost was paid for that to happen? Men and women loved their country so much that they died for what they believed in, freedom. They choose to stand against a powerful military government and to leave their families, friends and love ones. They sacrificed their lives so that their families could have joy and peace living in their homes. Laws were then made to keep us in check and hold us responsible and accountable. To keep us from getting hurt and in trouble and to give us a safe, peaceable place to live.

A side thought: have you ever watched some older TV shows, such as Andy Griffith, and noticed that when there was a need for Andy to arrest someone, that person didn’t run. They knew that they were caught and had to pay for the crime that they committed. Yes, that was a TV show. But look at the news today. Criminals are running from the police all the time. Why do they do that? They don’t want to get caught, and/or they feel that they don’t have to suffer consequences for their actions. There is no “manning up” and taking responsibility for wrong actions. But why are they even taking those actions? Because they have been setting their own rules. Before you jump at me with comments about how our laws can be corrupt, let me say that there have been some people put in place throughout our history that have pushed the boundaries and twisted the laws to allow things to be blurred.

While I have used the United States and schools as examples, the purpose of this is to bring to light the real freedom that we have on this Earth. The freedom to choose to live for God. He has given us boundaries because he cares for and loves us. We are His creation.  “that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.” Romans 8:21.  He knows that there is evil in this world and there are influences that we encounter on a daily basis. He gave us instructions and laws, His Word, to live by. He sent His Son to Earth who turned men into Apostles and they then turned people into disciples to fight for our freedom in Him, who sacrificed their lives for Him. This is what we are to do as well. We are to become disciples of Christ and fight for our freedom from the evil that will enslave us. The evil that will corrupt us. The evil that will twist our boundaries and get us into trouble. We are not free from this evil unless we are living for Him. “For you were called to freedom, brethern; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13.  We are free when we are serving each other and by holding each other accountable. When evil enslaves us it corrupts us and allows us to think that we can make it on our own. But we can not do this ourselves. Look at our world today and see where living for ourselves has gotten us. Hatred, Murder, Envy, Greed, Pride are all results of the corruption of evil.  We have a choice. We can make it better. We can enjoy the freedom of living within the boundaries set by God our Father. This freedom is a blessing. In order for us to have this freedom we have to walk by the Spirit. “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1.  When we are living within in these boundaries we can enjoy the blessing that are from our Father. It is amazing when our eyes are opened to how God does bless us when we live for and in Him. What is freedom to you? Are you still enslaved by evil?  Why not fight for your freedom? Will you enjoy your freedom today and the rest of your life?