One of my favorite movies is Braveheart. At the end of the movie, William Wallace (played by Mel Gibson) is being tortured to death. Instead of giving in and bowing down to the king and receiving an instant death, he cries out, "freedom!!!!!!"
We are all in a continual quest for freedom.
What is true freedom?
I would suggest that true freedom is the realization that as Christians we belong not to the world that we live in, but to God, whose children we are. As a Christian, I am a son of God. A child of His. As I live my life in word and works according to His Word (the Bible) than I gradually grow into my true freedom - which consist of not having to be bound to the thoughts, ideals and patterns of the culture we live in.
This requires a lifelong discipline as the culture that we live in (the political, economic, social and religious powers around us) desires to keep us in bondage so that we will only obey their will, their thoughts, their commands and be dependent upon them.
I am first of all a Christian. My allegiance is first of all to Christ.
And in Christ is true freedom.
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A search for truth and meaning in life
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George
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1 comment:
Freedom, such an elusive word. In the United States, we interpret freedom to mean exactly what youth extreme said...that is, to do what we want to fulfill life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. In other places, freedom may mean just the ability to not be imprisoned for what they believe, or what they say! Ultimately, freedom is being able to say that there are no chains, no shackles of any type, on me. Those chains and shackles can be physical or psychological but, in either case, they still contain and control those who they wrap. Sin is those chains and shackles, and by receiving salvation and walking in the Lord daily, we are blessed to share in the greatest freedom that can ever be known to man or woman.
Frequently, over the course of my career in the military and in law enforcement, I have been asked if I worry about dying, about being shot or killed just by doing my job. Knowing that I will receive ultimate freedom by such an event allows me not to worry about it (another kind of freedom that we are blessed to have--not to worry). Not that I vicariously throw myself in harms way or fail to plan for potential events...believe me, I am not seeking to lessen my time here on earth...but I do so knowing that one day, no matter how/when/where I die, I go to be with the Savior and experience absolute true freedom serving in the kingdom of God for all eternity. I have a co-worker who, when I ask how he is, will often say, "As long as I'm on the right side of the dirt, I'm doing fine." I often reply, "With God, you don't have to be afraid of the other side of the dirt either!"
Freedom isn't free, there is a price to pay for it. This is a statement that is used frequently by our military and those who some would call "hawks" in the political realm. Well, true freedom with God is not free either, we each may be called to sacrifice (sometimes ultimately) for the kingdom. May we all do so with glad hearts and joyous welcome, trusting in God, if that time should come. God Bless.
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