When will Freedom Ring Again?
I, like many of you are confused by the state of our country as we prepare to celebrate our freedom. In less than a month Old Glory seems to have begun tearing at the seams. Black churches are burning, shootings on our homeland are taking more lives than war, and decisions are being made with reckless abandon.
After spending a week on vacation, rarely watching or reading the news, my heart weeps. People on social media have taken sides, sides many probably don’t understand. The White House declared victory with a light show of pride. Will their pride still show and light up with red, white and blue on the 4th of July? Friends turn against friends as they change their images colors to rainbows. Division and pain continue to create a chasm within our nation.
I am not taking sides in all of these disputes and you will not read my opinion here.
However I would like to share some thoughts on our freedom and what it should mean.
Our forefathers and grandfathers maybe even husbands, sons or fathers fought to protect our country. Dating back to when we stood against our motherland and separated from England. Our country has stood on principles, faith and values.
Over the past three hundred years or so, even before the colors of the flag had dried, our country has been divided. In the 1800’s the north battles the south. In that war it was not a war of black against white, it was more right versus wrong. The flag that people in the south now want banned, stood for not the confederacy nor the hate now represented.
Look back in history and you will find the flag was not a southern thing or even a racial one, it simply was an adaptation in war for battle to identify. “A battle flag. It was never even a National flag, so how could it have flown over a slave nation or represented slavery or racism?¹“
Our country was based on religion or was it? This is a great discussion that has been debated for decades. We had a Chief Justice in Alabama removed from office for refusing to remove the Ten Commandments from the court-house. Then California tried to remove “under God” from the Pledge of Allegiance. We as a country have become so ingrained on pushing our own beliefs that we trample on the foundation of our country and the rights of others along the way.
I will leave that one there for those of you that question the foundation of many discussions to marinate on a bit. If you are not sure what to make of it, maybe unlike our elected officials we begin to read the Constitution before changing or even ruling by it.
While many will continue to search for the ‘Truth” and what “Freedom” means. I myself turn to the first rule book written. Written many years before the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution or and other legally or illegally binding document of this country. My freedom and your freedom are defined as follows.
Freedom will Ring Again in Us
Serve One Another: For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. Galatians 5:13 (NASB)
Freedom of Conscience : “I mean not your own conscience, but the other man’s; for why is my freedom judged by another’s conscience?” 1 Corinthians 10:29 (NASB)
Chains of Oppression Broken: “It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1 (NASB)
Indeed You are Free: “So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36 (NASB)
Feed Them: “Who executes justice for the oppressed; Who gives food to the hungry. The LORD sets the prisoners free.” Psalms 146:7 (NASB)
Truth will Set Us Free: “As He spoke these things, many came to believe in Him. The Truth Will Make You Free.” John 8:30 (NASB)
These simple truths among others garner us the freedom we should be celebrating every day. Our freedom to choose is protected by those that serve and have served this country well. It is my hope for America that we will find our way back to our foundation. In doing so we are able to celebrate our freedom as brothers and sisters. No longer will there be a day where churches are burned, controversy and pain causes crime to go rampant.
A day in which we can all hold hands and pray over each other. A day in which we can answer the question “When will Freedom Ring Again?”
I pray that you have a wonderfully blessed 4th of July and celebrate your freedom every day of your life.
Keep pressing into the Lord and find freedom in His word.
Blessings,
CJ
About Charles Johnston
Charles is a Christian, husband and father of fur-kids who shares his walk with others in hopes to help other's along the way.
Good article. One point on the Confederate flag though. I think the reason some people object is that the battle flag was placed on the state flags of some southern states as a response to the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. So in that respect, I can understand how some can find it offensive.
Agreed, it has been used in that way unfortunately. For people to consider it offensive due to its purpose and history is where things go array. Thanks for your valuable comments. Happy 4th!
Phenomenal ~ the rules and regulations were set long before America was even founded! God’s word is the basis by which mankind lives, breathes and operates, and no Supreme Court, and NO ONE will ever change that.
Great article, and great references!