Is Freedom Free?
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Is Freedom Free?
People today are the same as people of generations past. We all want freedom: political freedom, intellectual freedom, moral freedom. We want freedom from prejudice, freedom from ignorance, freedom from poverty, and freedom of religion. The irony of the word freedom, however is that freedom is never free. It is always bought with a price and maintained by a struggle. As former U.S. president John F. Kennedy so rightly said, “The cost of freedom is always high.” Let us look briefly at three vital areas of freedom: 1) Political freedom; 2) Religious freedom; and 8) Spiritual freedom.
The Price of Political Freedom
What is political freedom? It is the right to govern one’s own nation without foreign domination or interference. This is what we are celebrating today and tomorrow on Indian Independence Day. When we look back over the 69 years since India gained her independence, we recall may instances of heroism and sacrifice that led to our freedom. We remember Mahatma Gandhi and his bravery in leading the Salt March. We think of Accamma Cherian--who was hailed as the Jhansi Ki Rani of Tranvencore by Mahatma Gandhi for her courage in facing the bullets of the British as she led a massive civil disobedience movement. We shudder as we recall the massacre at the Jallianwala Bagh. Countless thousands imprisoned; many paying the ultimate price with their lives. Today we salute all those who were willing to pay the price so India could be free. It cost!
The Price of Religious Freedom
Religious freedom is the freedom to practice one’s faith according to the dictates of one’s own conscience. The Bible is full of examples of people who paid with their lives for religious freedom: the prophet Isaiah, who was sawn in two (Hebrews 11:37); John the Baptist, beheaded by King Herod (Matthew 14:1-8); Stephen, stoned to death--the first martyr in the early church (Acts 7:54-60); the Apostle James, slain by the sword (Acts 12:2). In every century since the book of Acts, Christians have been martyred for their faith. Amazingly, statistics confirm that there are more martyrs today than in all past generations—and chillingly we can watch these horrors on our own television sets.
The Price of Spiritual Freedom
Spiritual freedom is an inner work of God that frees us from the slavery of sin. It “makes us dead to sin but alive to God” (Romans 6:11) It ensures eternal life and a home in heaven when we confess our sins and ask for His forgiveness (1 John 1:9). There was only one Man who could pay the price for this freedom--the Man, Christ Jesus. He is the source of our spiritual freedom. We cannot be free from sin without Him. And our spiritual freedom did not come cheaply. The Scripture tells us “Jesus…endured the cross…despising the shame” (Hebrews 12:2) The cost for Jesus meant leaving the glories of heaven to come to earth (Philippians 2:6-7). It cost Him betrayal, denial, suffering, sorrow, and, finally, the shedding of His life’s blood. We are redeemed by the “precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:19) The truth about spiritual freedom is that it does not come automatically. It is a matter of personal choice. You must choose freedom by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour from sin.
How shall we celebrate this Independence Day? Remember the price that has been paid for your freedom and be thankful. And be sure to choose spiritual freedom by believing on Jesus Christ.
“If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)