Freedom Fighters and Patriots
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve . . . as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Joshua 24:15
In America, every July 4th brings with it festivities, fun, food, family and friends, and fireworks—all as a celebration of national freedom. But even with all the celebrating and joy-filled activities, many Americans are still caught in the web of bondage on a mental, emotional, relational, financial, vocational or spiritual level. Most often, we ourselves create the chains that bind us by making poor or sinful choices.
FREEDOM – Is there any better secular word in the English language?
But do you have a personal “Independence Day” – a day when Jesus freed you from the bondage of sin?
The Bible describes it this way….
“For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).
The American Revolution freed our bodies – that is, our nation, from English government. But Jesus Christ set us free from a far more significant “servitude.” He forever freed us from slavery to sin and its eternal destruction of not only body, but mind and soul as well. He freed us from all the vain things of earth that daily seek to trap and entangle us in false notions of “freedom” – snares that keep us from being happy, whole, healthy and filled with more of Him.
And when we have been thus set free, we in turn become true “freedom fighters.” By His Spirit within us, we are enabled to help others truly escape the “surly bonds of this earth” and find the true freedom of life in Christ.
God forever bless George Washington, who put it this way: “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible. Do not ever let anyone claim to be a true American patriot if they ever attempt to separate religion from politics.”
Ronald Reagan, beloved by another generation, similarly said, “Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged.”
You see, Christians are free, yet, servant to Christ and his will go a step further – they become patriots.
As born again, blood washed, freedom fighting patriots we realize that every day should be a celebration of Independence Day because of what God has done for us and our great nation. Perfect? No. For no nation of this earth ever has been. But we are represented by great men and women of old – and many today – who still hold freedom dear, and who recognize it as truly existing only under the rule of God.
Men and women who stood in the gate of harm’s way, protecting us at great personal risk, and sometimes with their life’s blood – from the enemies of God and America who would destroy us.
Consider the words freedom fighter and patriot John Adams penned on the 4th of July, 1776, when he said, “This day 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 from one end of the Continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore. You will think me transported with enthusiasm, but I am not. I am well aware of the toil, the blood, and the treasure that it will cost us to maintain this Declaration and support and defend these states; yet, through all the gloom, I can see rays of light and glory; that the end is worth all the means; that posterity will triumph in that day’s transaction. . . .”
So amid the fireworks and barbecue smoke this July 4, consider pausing for a moment to reflect on our one true Founding Father, by whose grace we are and continue to be the greatest country on earth.
Always be proud of your spiritual and natural heritage! Be a true patriot: pray for yourself, your family, our nation and her leaders. Stand in word and in deed on the foundation that was laid in the beginning – “on Christ the solid rock.”
And stand with dignity, strength and pride on the platform of the words of Daniel Webster (1782-1852), who himself served this country with great force and fervor:
“When my eyes shall be turned to behold for the last time the sun in heaven, may I not see him shining on the broken and dishonored fragments of a once glorious Union; on States dissevered, discordant, belligerent; on a land rent with civil feuds, or drenched, it may be, in fraternal blood! Let their last feeble and lingering glance rather behold the gorgeous ensign of the republic… not a stripe erased or polluted, nor a single star obscured, bearing for its motto, no such miserable interrogatory as “What is all this worth?” nor those other words of delusion and folly, “Liberty first and Union afterwards”; but everywhere, spread all over in characters of living light, blazing on all its ample folds, as they float over the sea and over the land, and in every wind under the whole heavens, that other sentiment, dear to every true American heart — Liberty.”
Meet the Author
Alan Bullock
Alan Bullock has a BA in Biblical Studies, a Master’s Degree in Biblical Counseling, and an earned Doctor of Theology. In addition, Alan is a Certified Pastor Counselor, a member of The International Association of Christian Counseling Professionals (IACCP), and also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).