Today's Devotional

October 3, 2003

Subject:  Freedom Isn't Free...or is it?

2Corinthians 3:17 - "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."

Liberty is defined by Webster's as 'the quality or state of being free: the power to do as one pleases.'  We make a lot of noise in this country about freedom of speech, freedom of religion and pretty much anything that pertains to the first amendment of our constitution which grants us those freedoms.  And of course with the current war or wars still raging throughout the world with our very own fighting men and women and a mounting death toll, you often hear those words, "freedom isn't free."  Yes our fighting forces give their lives so that we can maintain our freedoms in this country.  But those sacrifices, as noble as they are, don't guarantee us freedom.  

Real freedom comes from the Spirit of the Lord.  That's why a P.O.W. or a convicted murderer sitting on death row can both be free.  That's why the richest man in the world with access to all the world offers might not necessarily be free.  The origin of true freedom is granted by the Spirit of the Lord and like the soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines who give their lives to defend our countries freedoms, so too was a life sacrificed to grant us personal and individual liberty.  

However, that's the difference between our fighting forces who have given their lives and the One who gave us liberty by His death.  His death granted us real liberty so that we would be free forever.  

Today you can be free forever and whether the headlines tomorrow read, "court defends freedom to do....whatever" you can say, "well I already have the freedom I need and it gives me the power to do, not as 'one pleases', but as He pleases."   

Carlen