Dimensions of Freedom
Blake Heffner July 2nd, 2006
“Dimensions of Freedom” July 2, 2006
I Corinthians 6:12, 10:23-4 Galatians 5:1,13-15
1. Political Freedom
You want to know something interesting? If John Adams had his way, we would be celebrating today as the birthday of our country. Yes, it was on the second of July that the Continental Congress actually agreed on the wording of our Declaration of Independence, which we all know was signed on the fourth of July. On the third, John Adams sat down and wrote to his wife, Abigail:
The second day of July, 1776, will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America, to be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival, commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows and games, guns and bells and bonfires… from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever.
Well, history chose the fourth of July. But, the great anniversary festival Adams envisioned is still celebrated with pomp – “from one end of the continent to the other”! Freedom is our greatest legacy to the world: the conviction that all people are created equal and endowed by their Creator with the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That legacy has come at a very high price. In fact, the signers of the Declaration themselves paid dearly: of the 56 signers, 5 were arrested by the British as traitors, 12 had their homes looted and burned by the enemy, 17 lost their fortunes, 2 lost sons in the continental Army and 9 fought and died during the Revolutionary War. We are still paying a high price for this precious heritage. Friends, may our celebration of Independence Day leave us truly grateful for all those who have risked their lives to sustain and protect our liberty and way of life. And let us resolve to live lives that our worthy of their sacrifices – lives dedicated to the principles of liberty and justice for all people.
2. Moral Freedom
We are still struggling to determine what freedom means. Two issues in the news this week were directly related to this. The New York Times and other news agencies have been criticized for publishing a story about our government’s methods of gathering intelligence about potential terrorists. The question is whether freedom of the press might compromise the actual security of our people. A good question. The second story involves the movement calling for a Constitutional amendment against burning the American flag. Burning the flag, say some, is a basic expression of free speech.
Both issues seem to resonate with Paul’s assertions to the Corinthians: “All things are permissible for me, but not all things are beneficial or constructive.” That is a mouthful. When it comes to moral issues, we discover this over and over again. It may not be illegal to spread gossip about someone, but – as juicy as it seems – it’s seldom very helpful, and almost always hurtful.
Freedom to do what we please has limitations. I am free to swing my fist in the air – until it comes in contact with another person’s face. I am free to practice my religion – but not free to prevent someone else’s practice. For instance, the Bible teaches that palm readers and mediums are serving the Evil One. That doesn’t give us the right to vandalize or destroy their place of business. You get the point.
Dr. Tony Evans, on his daily radio program gave a brilliant picture of the way that rules and freedom are interconnected. He said think about how a kite works. The string holds onto the kite and restricts it; yet, the same string enables the kite to soar in the sky. Without the string, the kite will either not get airborne, or [if it gets aloft] it will just be carried away by the wind and destroyed. It’s the same way with us. When we obey God’s basic rules for living, our lives are tethered but enabled to fly.
For instance, consider resentment and bitterness. The Bible says: “Make every effort to live in peace with all people… See to it that no root of bitterness grow sup to cause trouble and defile many” (Heb. 12:14f.). Of course, we are allowed to be offended toward someone who has hurt us. We have every right to be angry. But if we let that anger stew and become resentment. If we let bitterness get a hold of us – we will eventually get sick. It may manifest itself as acid reflux or migraines, high blood pressure or gall stones – maybe we will just become chronically “testy.” In one way or another, bitterness will eventually rob us of our peace of mind, our joy, and our ability to love. That’s why Jesus insist that we be quick in seeking to be reconciled with other people. It’s got to be on the front burner - not for their sake, but for our sake. Forgiveness has to do with our own healing and peace of mind. It is one of those strings that keeps us in the air.
Last fall, when we had our disruptive experience, many of us were so fired up that we couldn’t sleep. We were so deeply troubled it affected our physical well-being. About then, it was suggested that I shouldn’t preach about forgiveness, because we weren’t ready for it. Maybe the timing wasn’t perfect – but the urgency was needed. There is no other remedy for what ailed us. Forgiveness is therapy for the wounded heart, the broken fellowship. Reconciliation is the only cure for alienation. If we just walk away from each other mad – we haven’t dealt with the issue. And Jesus clearly said, unless we deal with the issues between us, we cannot begin to deal with God. If we cannot love one another, we cannot possibly love and serve God. The only way to peace, in the midst of turmoil, is to let go – let go of our claims, our grudges, our sense of injustice – to open our fists, unclench our teeth, and forgive. There is nothing like the freedom that comes when people agree to bury the hatchet, accept each other, and try to rebuild a relationship.
3. Spiritual Freedom
Let’s follow the kite analogy to its biblical core. Look at Adam and Eve in the garden. The string to their kite was a simple rule: don’t eat from that tree of the knowledge of good and evil. They were free to eat from any other tree. But, nooo! They entertained the serpent who questioned why there should be any string at all. The fruit looked delicious, and tasted good. And boom! They were out of paradise. The value of obedience is freedom and joy; the price of disobedience is bondage and suffering.
Ever since that beginning, every human person’s wiring has been messed up. We want to have it our way. Right? Let’s be honest. We don’t want any strings, we don’t want to bow to any higher authority, we don’t want to hear about rules. That’s what we call original sin. We’re all in the same boat – every single one of us. And, the Bible says the boat is a slave ship. That means, as we indulge in our natural desires and appetites, we become enslaved by them.
It doesn’t matter what floats your boat. It doesn’t have to be addictive drugs or alcohol. Repeated self-indulgence – in anything – leads us into bondage. In the beginning it seems like an innocent little dabbling. But eventually we cannot walk away on our own power. It’s the same whether we’re eating the wrong foods, or getting into debt, or looking at pornographic images. The kite string soon breaks and we are lost. The Bible says that everyone who sins becomes a slave to sin. There is no other way about it. You and I cannot dabble with self-indulgence and still enjoy the freedom that we were created to enjoy: peace of mind, genuine joy, unconditional love.
Fortunately, there is a real remedy for our disease. It may seem at first – like a lot of medicine – worse than the disease itself. But it is truly medicinal. Jesus Christ is the answer. He said: “If you hold to my teaching [that’s the kite string] you are my disciples. Then, you will know the truth and the truth will set you free… If the Son sets you free you will be free indeed!”
There is no other way to enjoy spiritual freedom and joy. So long as we insist on being “in control” – we’re not really free, but in bondage. But when we take hold of the Lord’s teaching, our spiritual kite string, we experience genuine liberation. Jesus Christ died for us, so that we might live in Him. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom!” (II Cor. 3:17).
So, I invite you to make today - July 2nd - your real Independence Day. If you haven’t already, accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. Sign onto his Declaration of Dependence. If you already have, then surrender to him anew. He alone offers what we all really crave: freedom from the tangled web we weave, unconditional love, irrepressible joy and a peace that passes understanding. Let us pray…
Prayer
O Lord, move us by your Holy Spirit to sign a Declaration of Dependence today –
dependence upon your love and mercy to accept us just the way we are
dependence on your precious blood to forgive all our sins and wash away our guilt and shame
dependence upon the power of your Spirit to fill us with new life and new appetites – the desire to walk your ways and serve others in your name
dependence upon your promise to make our hearts truly glad and our minds filled with the light of your truth
O Lord, our Lord, let the fireworks begin! Fill our lips with your praise – hallelujah! Amen.
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