The Cost of Freedom
Jul 4, 2008 Uncategorized
I’m nervous about what I feel like posting right now.
Luckily, if you decide to throw stones at this post, you’ll only harm your computer.
OK…here goes…
I was thinking about Independence Day this morning and this great country of ours. And it made me wonder it Satan loves our country.
And I’m not talking about the “moral decline” in America…you can find that anywhere.
I’m not taking about our greed and gluttony…you can find that anywhere.
I’m talking about our…ahem…freedom.
Now, don’t get me wrong here, I heart America. I really do. I think we have an amazing country and I love our system of government. I love our freedoms.
But I wonder if Satan loves our freedoms more that I do.
Why do I say this? Because down throughout history, Christianity has grown more in persecuted countries than in free ones. One of the most tragic things to happen to Christianity was when Constantine not only made it legal, but official.
And now, some 2000 years later, bazillions of Americans say they follow Jesus, but do they really? Or do they just like being part of the Jesus club?
In many other countries, to say you love Jesus is to issue your own death warrant. And yet people do it…by the millions. In China alone, there are somewhere between 10 and 65 million Christians. Why do they do it? Because Jesus offers them hope and yes, freedom.
In our free society, we take it as our “right” to be free. Maybe that’s why we don’t really feel like we need Jesus.
Happy Independence Day.
Galatians 5:13 - For you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
i like where you’re coming from, and i think its a very valid point! i also think i agree with you, it does make sense. when people already feel they are free to do whatever they please, they don’t see the need for the freedom Jesus gives.
if anything, based on what ive found from my nonbelieving friends, becoming a Christian, in the truest sense, takes away from some of the freedoms they posses.
July 4th, 2008 at 12:36 pm
Very well put, Noel. And great verse
July 4th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
Noel dude, you hit it right on the head there. It seems that whenver things are “Free” we seem to take it for granted. And i think that because we as Americans are free to worship Christ we take it for granted and get lazy about it. Its pretty sad to think that in a country where we dont have to worry about being killed because of our faith people actually are more afraid to admit that they are a Christian.
July 4th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Noel, like what you did at Camp Velocity, you really made me think. Good points.
July 4th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
I think your also right, but you have to think that we won our independance from england through god and in the civil war the North won. Although I know satan is in our society I still think that god loves us enough to show us the way to heaven through our freedom
July 4th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
Stone him!!!
Just kidding. I think you have a great point. Jesus himself told us we were blessed if were persecuted for his sake; while I am glad to not have to suffer through that, I also wonder if there is a level of spiritual growth and blessing that Americans miss out on because we’ve never really had to sacrifice anything. We have no cross to take up. I dunno.
July 4th, 2008 at 11:41 pm
Well put.
July 5th, 2008 at 10:43 am
Awesome post Noel.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:31 am
A good word, indeed Noel. Thanks for it.
July 5th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Very interesting and thought provoking ideas and comments. I’ve often wondered why Christianity grows quicker in areas with more persecution than those without. Apathy - an eternity killer.
July 5th, 2008 at 2:31 pm
While there’s a truth to consider in what you say, I don’t think any place has every had the kind of freedom that we have had here. Nor do I think the growth of Christianity in the United States, over its history, compares unfavorably to any other place or time, except the Apostolic era. I think that our problem today isn’t merely taking freedom for granted but losing sight completely about the nature and price of freedom. Many enjoy freedom, perhaps license is the better word, without even comprehending what it really is or how we come to have it. I think the same happens spiritually… People “get saved,” then fail to move on into discipleship and maturity, the very problem Paul was addressing in Galatians. Unlike other places who lost their cultures, we seem as much in danger of losing our freedom to the barbarians within as from the barbarians from without. We risk ignoring the assaults from those who hate the freedom we have like those who regard us as “the Great Satan;” we also risk ignoring the assault on the very freedoms themselves from our own leaders who despise both liberty and the God of liberty.
EOS–End of Sermon. Sorry.
July 5th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
I kind of see it as a double edged sword. Sure, evil can flourish in a “free” society, but I think it gives good an equal opportunity as well. On one side we’re free to pick what we will be a slave to, and on the other side we are able to reach people from different backgrounds and religions that we normally wouldn’t be able to reach in their own country, say Iran or Syria for example. I also think it’s better for the gospel to be preached in a secular society then in one where the official religion is forced upon the citizens. No need to tilt the playing field, Christianity can easily win on a level one. I think our challenge as Christians is really to adapt to the changing culture so that we can reach every generation.
July 5th, 2008 at 11:30 pm
Thanks Noel. Good stuff.
July 6th, 2008 at 2:27 am
I don’t think I’ve told you lately but, I love you Noel.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Well said. I think this has implications into our political lives as well. “Christians” get all worried about who is going to win the election when it would be far more positive a thing for the body of Christ if the “wrong” candidate won. (He said skillfully evading commitment to a party)
Glad I found the blog Noel. I got here from the problem you were having with sending flickr pics with your phone to your blog.
July 7th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
I agree with Roger. “I think that our problem today isn’t merely taking freedom for granted but losing sight completely about the nature and price of freedom.” It’s because of God that we are free in America. It’s also because our forefathers had such drive and passion for Christ that they endured what they had to in order to win our freedom. Too many people don’t understand that freedom isn’t free. I think our challenge as Christians in a free country is pressing in to realize how much more freedom there is in Christ, freedom that goes further than the constitution.
July 8th, 2008 at 1:36 am
Great thoughts. Your post sparked my thinking about individual freedom and the church. Click my name to check it out.