Sunday Reflection - Freedom

I believe our country is at a crossroads that will define our freedoms in the future.  However, as a Christian I know there are two spheres of freedom for us as individuals.

First,there is an eternal freedom that comes from one source and one source only - Jesus Christ:

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.  (Galatians 5:1)

This freedom is the freedom from the yoke of slavery found in sin.  There is no power, no government that can ever take away this freedom.

The second sphere of freedom is the world in which we live.  The founders of our country were focused on freedom with a passion that burned hot within them.  Being human they didn't get it 100% right, especially in dealing with the slave issue of the time.

But, they got the principles right:  Our freedoms come from our Creator.  We have the inalienable right to freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom to protect ourselves and our families, freedom to own property and the freedom to pursue happiness.  As Americans we have the freedom of equality - equality of opportunity, not of results.

Over the years, there have been those who have attacked these freedoms, primarily in an effort to control us and our resources.  Through the sacrifice of live and treasure these attacks have been beaten back.

I believe our worldly freedoms are once again under attack and, I suppose, will remain under attack until Jesus returns.

There have been people who have expressed this God-given desire for freedom better than I ever could.  Here is one of my heroes in the area of freedom.  I'm sure she wasn't a perfect human being, but I believe she understood the principles of freedom our founders expressed so well.