Plainly Speaking
 with Karl J. Forehand

 

 

The Process of Freedom – Part 1

(Colossians 1:21-23)

by Karl J. Forehand

 

  I have mixed emotions when I see people demonstrating against the war.  On one hand, I am thankful to live in a free society where people can express their opinion without being tortured or killed.  On the other hand, I had a grandpa that served in World War II and an uncle that was severely injured in Viet Nam. 

 

  When I see actors protesting the war, I wonder if they realize that their right to protest – their freedom of expression – was bought with the blood of the patriots that came before them.  I wonder if young people understand that freedom is not automatic.  Many that came before us paid a price for us to enjoy that freedom.  Is it different because we are fighting for a people other than our citizens?

 

  You see, peace is not a universal thought process.  It is not something we mediate ourselves into.  In God’s Word, peace always came after a Divine encounter.  First, there has to be the relationship with the Prince of Peace and then the peace.  As I often say, peace is not the absence of turmoil – it is the presence of God.  As Jesus wept over Jerusalem, he cried out, “If you had only known what would bring you peace!”  John 16:33, Jesus makes it clear that peace will never totally happen here on earth – it is found in the Prince of Peace.  But, can God bring a national peace to a country?

 

  Before we discover that, let’s look at Jesus’ statement.  He said, “Blessed are the peace makers.”  He didn’t say the “peace keepers” – He said the “peace makers” are blessed.  What is a “peace maker?”  A “peace maker” is a person or group of people that risk their lives to bring peace to another person or group of people.  Peace doesn’t come through osmosis.  Once a person or group of people is enslaved, someone has to purchase their freedom.  Often, they only risk embarrassment or reputation; but often they must risk their lives.

 

  The rights that we have are paid for and provided for by someone.  We often misinterpret the Declaration of Independence.  We assume that we are born with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  We do not automatically acquire them, they have to be purchased or provided.  It is similar to God’s redemption (buying back) of our souls.  The Declaration of Independence even goes on to state this fact.

 

(who should provide them)

That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.

(when they don’t))

That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness.

 

  Read the next part very carefully

Prudence, indeed, will dictate that Governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes; and accordingly all experience hath shown, that mankind are more disposed to suffer, while evils are sufferable, than to right themselves by abolishing the forms to which they are accustomed. But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.

  Should we just “think peace” and allow thousands to continue to die?  Shouldn’t we sacrifice our own blood to right the “long train of abuses” to the Iraqi people?  Should we fear the other evil people that might get upset?  Should we just ignore the situation because it is not “our” people?  Evil always flourishes when the good decide to do nothing.  If the Iraqi people are unable to free themselves, I believe we must help them obtain freedom!  Isn’t that what Jesus did for us?

 

  Peace must not only be hoped for – often it must be fought for.  Jesus didn’t just hope for your redemption, he suffered, bled and died for it.  Tomorrow, I want to tie these two things together.  Think about it – your spiritual freedom was purchased by an army of One!  More tomorrow. 

 

 

                                                                                                                                                      © 2003    Karl J. Forehand

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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