Live with freedom
Independence Day can mean something different to every person you talk to. About four years ago I had a conversation with three elderly gentlemen in Jamaica as they were celebrating their own Independence Day. Jamaica was awarded their independence from Great Britain on August 6, 1962. The interesting thing I learned from this conversation was their response to a question I asked concerning the quality of life under the “oppression of the UK” and the quality of life they now enjoy as “freemen.” There was no question they valued their freedom, and there was no question concerning their national pride. However, what they said about the way they lived their lives then as compared to now was very striking. One of the older men said this, “Back then (before independence) there were no bars on the windows, you could leave your home unlocked, and you were not afraid to walk down the streets at night. It is just not that way anymore.” What he was expressing to me was that freedoms cost runs deeper than bloodshed in the initial battles (which Jamaica did not really have a war for independence as we did). What he was trying to tell me was that when we are free we have greater responsibility than we had before we were able to make our own decisions. What he was telling me was that men and women who are given freedom to govern themselves also have the freedom to police and protect themselves. In short he was expressing his concerns that his country had not handled their freedom very well (for instance Kingston, Jamaica is one of the most violent cities in the entire world). In our country our freedom was not given, it was earned. In our country men and women have battled for our freedom from the very birth of our nation. Our independence was purchased with the blood of patriots and we have been very responsible with that freedom. However, every generation of Americans must be responsible in their handling of that gift. We must be very cautious how we use the freedoms given to us by those willing to put on our nations uniform and stand a line of defense. If we are not careful in how we live as free men and women then we may not be free for long. The Apostle Peter gives a very stern warning that can be used with either spiritual freedom as well as the liberty from tyranny. 1 Pet. 2:16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. Live as servants of the One who died to grant freedom, not the one who wants to take it! …because He still lives,Jason
03.07.2008. 07:45
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