July 2001
Are We Teaching Our Children The Truth About Freedom?
By Germaine Copeland
Overseas our country was at war fighting for freedom from tyranny. Here
at home my schoolmates and I reverently sang America, America. After
much bloodshed, our military troops returned home at the end of World
War II celebrating, and we believed in brotherhood and freedom. With
boldness, gratitude, and hope we pledged allegiance to the United States
of America, believing every word.one nation under God, indivisible, with
liberty and justice for all. At public gatherings everyone sang the
National Anthem with great pride, and maybe a tear in his eye.
Around the world we were respected and known as Christian America. In
our country anyone who was willing to work hard could achieve the Great
American Dream. In their book, The Light and the Glory, Peter Marshall
and David Manuel wrote, “In general, we were the most steadying
influence on an uneasy globe.”
What happened to America? Does liberty give us permission to behave
without regulations? It appears that to many in our society it means
permissiveness – the right to do whatever we choose without interference
from others.
God called us to freedom, and commanded us not to abuse our liberty.
When we use it as an excuse to satisfy our selfish desires, we hurt each
other. If we continue tearing each other apart we will completely
destroy ourselves (Galatians 5:13-15).
What are we teaching our children about freedom? We need a clear
definition of freedom from a biblical perspective. Freedom is more than
a right; it is a gift from God. Jesus gave himself for our sins to free
us from this present evil world (Galatians 1:4). God gave us grace and
peace, freeing us from fears, agitating passions and moral conflicts (I
Peter 1:2).
With freedom comes the responsibility of walking uprightly, and freedom
affords us the opportunity to worship God, and fulfill our
responsibility as reliable, solid citizens. True human freedom comes
only from God, and requires obedience. Let every soul be subject to the
governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and
God appoints the authorities that exist. Therefore whoever resists the
authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring
judgment on themselves (Roman 18:1-2).
Abusing our freedom through disobedience brings restriction, and can
even lead to death. The lives of individuals will change when we
exchange selfish desires for the precepts of a loving God. We can’t
begin too early teaching our children to speak truly, deal truly and
live truly. Jesus said that you shall know the truth and the truth
shall make you free (John 8:32).
Freedom is costly; it is not free. Jesus gave his live to give us
spiritual freedom, and many have died to obtain and maintain our
national freedom – freedom to worship God and serve one another. John
Adams wrote concerning the Declaration of Independence, “I am well aware
of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost us to maintain this
Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the
gloom I can see rays of ravishing light and glory. I can see that the
end is worth more than all the means.”
Let us bless our children and teach them to cherish and preserve freedom
of spirit. Freedom is God’s will, and their responsibility is to walk
uprightly before Him. Our children are our future, and we must give
them hope for tomorrow by teaching them truth that will make them free
to carry the banner of freedom and enjoy glorious liberty. May future
generations see the bright rays of ravishing light and glory burning
throughout our land with freedom’s holy light, manifesting to the world
God’s eternal love
Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you for my country, the United States of America,
the only country in the world founded upon religious freedom and your
Word. Thank you for our founding fathers, Lord, who looked to you for
guidance to develop the kind of government that would be pleasing to
you. We need your wisdom to safeguard our freedom. May the light of
your word run swiftly throughout our country, and your love burn
brightly in our land. Give us a rebirth of freedom, in the name of
Jesus. Amen.
In Prayers That Avail Much you will find powerful, scriptural prayers to
pray for our government and the people of our land.
Germaine Copeland is the author of the best selling book series, Prayers That Avail Much. She has written scriptural prayers for the family. Read your Bible, pray and attend church where you can soak up the love and faith of God. You will receive emotional healing, experience spiritual growth and become more intimately acquainted with your Heavenly Father, and your relationships will grow stronger.