An Uncommon Freedom

AN UNCOMMON FREEDOM

As you know, this weekend we celebrate the 224th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence that was signed on July 4th, 1776 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

56 men from 15 states laid down their lives, their fortunes, their homes, their honor and the welfare of their own families for a cause – the grand cause of Freedom from tyranny.

Thus began the long struggle with King George III of England and the mightiest army and navy in the world. A struggle ensued to Free America from the clutches of a greedy King and taskmaster that exacted a heavy toll upon the citizens of the colonies of the new world.

The second paragraph of the Declaration of Independence contains some of the most stirring words ever penned by man:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal,

That they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable rights,

That among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness . . .”

At that moment, a nation was born that guaranteed, under its Constitution and Bill of Rights, that all men would be FREE from oppression of other men.

True, we have seen those freedoms erode, slowly but surely.

The right to bear arms has been severely limited and continues to be limited more.

The right to Life has been nearly destroyed with the passage of Roe vs. Wade and the right to choose death for another human being was passed.

Other rights have seemed to spiral out of control to the point of almost destroying our land and its freedoms.

The right to pursue happiness has led many to be believe that their own personal happiness is their right at any cost, including the right to infringe upon someone else’s happiness to get it.

The right to freedom of religion has led many to believe that it also means freedom from religion and has caused those like Madeline Murray O’Hare and others to have prayer removed from our schools, public displays of scriptures and anything to do with Jesus to be removed from public buildings and even now are trying to rid the air waves of the preaching of the gospel.

Many have decided that it is their right to expect someone else to pay their bills, take care of them and feed them while they sit at home doing nothing. They seem to forget that the scriptures say - “If a man won’t work, he shouldn’t eat.” What kind of nation have we become when, according to some statistics, it takes 10 people working two jobs and putting in a lot of hours so that just one of those who refuse to work can be supported by the government through tax dollars.

The idea that all men are created equal has been cast aside in order that some may receive preferential treatment based on color, race or ethnic background.

Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream of freedom for all men regardless of their race. He preached and taught equality and freedom from oppression.

I believe that he would roll over in his grave if he were to see the vast injustices done in the name of equality and what people think they have a right to.

I too have that same dream. A DREAM OF EQUALITY OF OPPORTUNITY. A DREAM OF EARN IT AND YOU CAN HAVE IT.

A DREAM OF BECOME THE BEST YOU CAN BE LIMITED ONLY BY YOURSELF.

You see: The Dream of Freedom in 1776, and the Dream of Equality for all men come from the same source. That source is GOD!

Only God can give real freedom.

John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed

John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free

Jesus Christ is the source of real FREEDOM AND EQUALITY.

If you were to ask anyone on the streets whether they are free they would say YES!

BUT ARE THEY REALLY FREE?

Like it or not, there is no such thing as absolute freedom.

We may live in a free society, given the right of freedom by our constitution and protected from outside intervention by other nations but the fact is WE ARE NEVER REALLY FREE WITHOUT CHRIST.

In a free society, men, women, boys and girls are able to move about and do what they want to do. Sadly, within each of us, there is a heart that chases after the bondage of sin.

Sin, rebellion against God, brings us into the awful bondage of darkness.

It places us under the condemnation of the Law of God.

It sentences us to eternal punishment.

We are free to commit our sin but our sin then determines our destiny and our freedom is gone.