July 2002
Freedom is Costly
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, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. (Later, in 1954, under God was added in our Pledge of Allegiance.) 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.