Tag Archives: first amendment rights

Freedom

 

 

I wonder if you are old enough to remember your parents or grandparents talking about Decoration Day? It was the predecessor of Memorial Day, a day set aside to decorate the graves – and commemorate the lives – of those who  passed before us, most especially the fallen heroes who died defending our freedoms.

 

How often do you think about your freedoms?  Freedom of speech, freedom of worship,  freedom of press, freedom of assembly, freedom to petition government. All these are guaranteed under the first amendment of our constitution in the USA.  In some countries, these freedoms are not allowed and attempt to pursue them can result in severe and painful consequences, including imprisonment, torture, and death.  Even in the USA, these freedoms seem to be under constant attack.

 

There are also other freedoms that govern our lives:

  • The freedom to say NO to thoughts and habits that steal our joy and that of those around us.
  • The freedom to escape the imprisonment of self-effort and to become our best as God intended.
  • The freedom to accept and belief truth and say NO to lies.
  • The freedom to put others’ interests ahead of our own.
  • The freedom to forgive.
  • The freedom to not be controlled by circumstances.
  • The freedom to choose not only what is permissible but also beneficial.

 

But don’t we so often find ourselves in bondage when it comes to living out these freedoms? I mean we try and try in our own effort to realize these freedoms in our lives, only to find ourselves held back by chains that bind us. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians:3:17, “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” Why is that our only path? Because the Spirit of the Lord is our wisdom and our strength. He is our power to experience freedom in our lives and to bless others with that same freedom. 

 

This Memorial Day, let’s set aside time to reflect on the freedoms provided to us by those who have gone on before; those who have taught us to embrace them, those who have defended it with their lives. And let us choose to live free in our thoughts and actions.

 

For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians:5:13).