 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| THE SPREAD OF FREEDOM BY RABBI ESTHER BOUCHER |
Braveheart is a movie based on William Wallace, still regarded as Scotland’
s greatest hero, patriot and warrior. He inherited the family motto Pro
Liberate (for Freedom) that turned out to be prophetic. He grew up while the
cruel King of England; Edward I Longshanks was scheming to rule
Scotland. The nobles in their greedy rivalries for titles and lands sought to
appease Longshanks for favor and security, frequently at the expense of
their Scottish countrymen. Their example was pride over principle and lust
over liberty. Freedom is rarely free, and they were unwilling to risk anything.
Wallace, a mere commoner outraged at English oppression and with a
vision for freedom led a revolution that after his death resulted in the
liberation of Scotland. In 1305 Wallace was betrayed, captured and tortured
to death. Humans in all places and in all times have hungered for freedom.
Most of history’s most inspiring true stories are of people struggling for
liberation from bondage, captivity, tyranny or enslavement. We have
witnessed encouraging achievements towards liberation in Afghanistan,
Ukraine, Iraq, and Palestinian authority controlled territories. But even so,
millions of people in dozes of countries are being oppressed, persecuted,
terrorized and enslaved. Many people have never experienced liberty and
cannot even envision it. They have been deceived with false freedoms,
empty promises and propaganda. They are resigned to their servitude the
book of true freedom and liberty is the Bible. It is no coincidence that many
of the founding fathers of America were strongly influenced by their respect
for the Bible. The Bible emphasizes that G-d loves all people and takes
great joy in liberating them from all types of bondage. And it foretells when
Messiah will return and bring true freedom to the entire world. But for now
the whole world is under the control of Satan 1 John 5:19. Rev. 12:9 and
one of the greatest bondages are deception and ignorance. Satan infects
people with lust for power and control. He is the driving influence behind
human beings oppressing and enslaving one another. Individuals do have
options. By submitting to G-d’s rule over their lives, they can escape the
bondage of Satan’s influence. Freedom is not absolute independence.
According to the scriptures we have responsibilities to G-d and our fellow
man. I John 5:2-3. The Bible continually emphasizes that it is disobedience
to G-d’s laws that bring curses and penalties and obedience that brings
blessings and benefits. Righteous law and G-d’s laws in particular together
with their enforcement, preserve and protect freedom. For a nation to
preserve liberty, the rule of just, equitable law is more important than being a
democracy. Even in free countries, greedy people voting unwisely usually
chip away at their laws and their freedoms. When a society has a break
down of moral character and people increasingly violate G-d’s
commandments the nation almost always passes more and more civil
statutes to protect the society. But the laws passed to restrict criminals
restrict everyone. Less and less godly character results in less and less
freedom. Someday-worldwide freedom will be protected by God’s word
being the constitution and His laws being the law of the land. Our creator is
a G-d of justice and mercy. The Exodus the liberation of the Israelites from
slavery in ancient Egypt ranks as one of the greatest examples of liberation
and emancipation in history. The all time greatest act of liberation was the
death and resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah. This miracle opened the
door for the ultimate rescue and saving of all human beings. G-d offers us
many freedoms; John 8:12, 47 freedom from spiritual ignorance and
blindness; John 5:24-25 freedom from the penalties of sin, Rom. 8:1
freedom from condemnation and guilt, John 8:32-36 freedom from bondage
and enslavement to sins and addictions, Psm 103:2-4, Matt 9:35, James 5:
14-16 we have freedom from many health problems and burdens. I John 3:
22 freedom to pray at any time, Psm 23:1, Matt. 7:7-11 freedom from
severe lack of needs. These are just a few Rom. 8:18-21 “ I consider that
the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing the glory that is to
be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the
revealing of the sons of G-d.” Creation itself will be set free from its
bondage to decay and abstain the glorious liberty of the children of G-d.
Freedom comes when we surrender to G-d and become servants to Him.
He is all wise and all benevolent. He knows what is best for us and will
always do what is best for us. We must never choose to be independent
from G-d.
s greatest hero, patriot and warrior. He inherited the family motto Pro
Liberate (for Freedom) that turned out to be prophetic. He grew up while the
cruel King of England; Edward I Longshanks was scheming to rule
Scotland. The nobles in their greedy rivalries for titles and lands sought to
appease Longshanks for favor and security, frequently at the expense of
their Scottish countrymen. Their example was pride over principle and lust
over liberty. Freedom is rarely free, and they were unwilling to risk anything.
Wallace, a mere commoner outraged at English oppression and with a
vision for freedom led a revolution that after his death resulted in the
liberation of Scotland. In 1305 Wallace was betrayed, captured and tortured
to death. Humans in all places and in all times have hungered for freedom.
Most of history’s most inspiring true stories are of people struggling for
liberation from bondage, captivity, tyranny or enslavement. We have
witnessed encouraging achievements towards liberation in Afghanistan,
Ukraine, Iraq, and Palestinian authority controlled territories. But even so,
millions of people in dozes of countries are being oppressed, persecuted,
terrorized and enslaved. Many people have never experienced liberty and
cannot even envision it. They have been deceived with false freedoms,
empty promises and propaganda. They are resigned to their servitude the
book of true freedom and liberty is the Bible. It is no coincidence that many
of the founding fathers of America were strongly influenced by their respect
for the Bible. The Bible emphasizes that G-d loves all people and takes
great joy in liberating them from all types of bondage. And it foretells when
Messiah will return and bring true freedom to the entire world. But for now
the whole world is under the control of Satan 1 John 5:19. Rev. 12:9 and
one of the greatest bondages are deception and ignorance. Satan infects
people with lust for power and control. He is the driving influence behind
human beings oppressing and enslaving one another. Individuals do have
options. By submitting to G-d’s rule over their lives, they can escape the
bondage of Satan’s influence. Freedom is not absolute independence.
According to the scriptures we have responsibilities to G-d and our fellow
man. I John 5:2-3. The Bible continually emphasizes that it is disobedience
to G-d’s laws that bring curses and penalties and obedience that brings
blessings and benefits. Righteous law and G-d’s laws in particular together
with their enforcement, preserve and protect freedom. For a nation to
preserve liberty, the rule of just, equitable law is more important than being a
democracy. Even in free countries, greedy people voting unwisely usually
chip away at their laws and their freedoms. When a society has a break
down of moral character and people increasingly violate G-d’s
commandments the nation almost always passes more and more civil
statutes to protect the society. But the laws passed to restrict criminals
restrict everyone. Less and less godly character results in less and less
freedom. Someday-worldwide freedom will be protected by God’s word
being the constitution and His laws being the law of the land. Our creator is
a G-d of justice and mercy. The Exodus the liberation of the Israelites from
slavery in ancient Egypt ranks as one of the greatest examples of liberation
and emancipation in history. The all time greatest act of liberation was the
death and resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah. This miracle opened the
door for the ultimate rescue and saving of all human beings. G-d offers us
many freedoms; John 8:12, 47 freedom from spiritual ignorance and
blindness; John 5:24-25 freedom from the penalties of sin, Rom. 8:1
freedom from condemnation and guilt, John 8:32-36 freedom from bondage
and enslavement to sins and addictions, Psm 103:2-4, Matt 9:35, James 5:
14-16 we have freedom from many health problems and burdens. I John 3:
22 freedom to pray at any time, Psm 23:1, Matt. 7:7-11 freedom from
severe lack of needs. These are just a few Rom. 8:18-21 “ I consider that
the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing the glory that is to
be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the
revealing of the sons of G-d.” Creation itself will be set free from its
bondage to decay and abstain the glorious liberty of the children of G-d.
Freedom comes when we surrender to G-d and become servants to Him.
He is all wise and all benevolent. He knows what is best for us and will
always do what is best for us. We must never choose to be independent
from G-d.
| Ministry of Gates of Praise Ministries, Inc. © Copyright Gates of Praise Ministries 2007/2008 |