Freedom Isn't Free

I just finished watching the movie, 1776. I love that production - seen it in the movie theatre, seen it in the dinner theatre, seen it at home on DVD - I just love 1776. It's been quite a while since the last time I watched it, and I've been wanting to watch it all weekend - I always get the urge around July 4th - and finally found the DVD and popped it in this evening.

As I was watching and enjoying the story, the dialog, the music, the humor, and the history - I noticed something new. The long journey, effort, and battle for independence; the labor pains for a new birth, a new nation, for freedom - has many parallels to the Christian's journey: the warfare that is our daily battle, and the work that must be put forth towards a new kingdom.

In this movie, John Adams is undoubtedly the main character. He is the driving force behind the effort towards American independence. And he is frustrated at every turn, it seems, by the other delegates in the Continental Congress. Some are just dead set against him. They want absolutely nothing to do with independence. They want to remain a subject of the king of England, and they make no bones about it. They deny that a war even exists, even though blood has already been shed. They want to keep waving the white flag of peace at any cost - they are comfortable with the way things are, and do not want anyone to rock the boat. Some are a little harder to pin down - but when it comes down to it, they are unwilling to make the commitment. They said things like, "If I thought we could actually win the war, I'd be all for it - but we haven't got a chance. I'm not going to fight a losing battle." Or, "Well, if everyone else goes for it, then I'll join up - but for now, I'll just wait and see." Or even this - "Well, let's let the army fight, and see what happens - if they win, then we can demand whatever we want - if they don't, then we'll still be okay - we won't hang from the gallows, anyway." John Adams' reply to that one was, "How can you expect an army to win a war, if they don't know what they're fighting for!"

I couldn't help but see how this is mirrored in Christianity today. I had to ask myself, who do I most closely resemble? I want to be like John Adams, totally committed to the cause of Christ. I want to take up my cross daily, and follow Him. I want to have a vision of what is to come, and have the commitment to stay with the effort, until it is done - until it is finished. I want to be ready and willing to go out and "storm the gates of hell", as I heard in this morning's sermon.

That is how I want to be, but is that how I am, or am I like those who are comfortable with the way things are - they don't want anyone to rock the boat. They deny that a war even exists - even though blood has already been spilled. The warfare is spiritual, and the blood is first and foremost the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, but it is also the blood of all the martyrs who have given their lives for their faith in Him - for the sake of His cause. Yes, there is warfare going on, but they would rather wave the white flag of peace at any cost - and remain subject to the enemy, to sin - than offend anyone.

When the delegates were amending and editing the Declaration of Independence, they would ask that a phrase be re-worded, or omitted entirely, so as not to offend Parliament, the people of England, even the king of England, himself. John Adams cried out in frustration, "For goodness' sake, this is a revolution - you're going to have to offend someone!" As Christians, we are in a battle, and Jesus warned us - if we're on His side, we're going to offend someone. "Remember the word that I said to you, 'A slave is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you." (John 15:20) In fact, He said it's a very good thing if you've offended someone for His sake, and if you've offended no one, there is a problem there. "Blessed are you when men hate you, and ostracize you, and cast insults at you, and spurn your name as evil, for the sake of the Son of Man. Be glad in that day, and leap for joy, for behold, your reward is great in heaven; for in the same way their fathers used to treat the prophets...Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for in the same way their fathers used to treat the false prophets. (Luke 6:22-23,26)

Or am I like those that are a little harder to pin down? They admit there's a battle going on, but they're unwilling to get involved in it - maybe because they don't truly believe that victory is possible. But belief is absolutely essential to a vibrant, victorious Christian life. Take care, brethren, lest there should be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart, in falling away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12) And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of thsoe who seek him. (Hebrews 11:6)

Am I like some who don't want to step out on a limb all by themselves? They'll go if everyone else does - but until that happens, they'll just wait - and watch. Christianity is not a spectator sport. But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does. If anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man's religion is worthless. This is pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father, to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world. (James 1:22-27)

Am I like those who would just rather stay behind the battle lines altogether - and let others do the fighting? If the battle is won, great - if it's lost, they figure they'll still be okay - they didn't really choose sides. Jesus said we're either on one side or the other. There's no middle ground, there's no "neutral position" in this war. He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me, scatters. (Luke 11:23) I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. (Revelation 3:15-16)

The delegates from New York constantly abstained from every vote throughout the movie. They just never got any instructions from their state legislature, and they didn't know which way to vote - so they just stayed neutral...until one of the delegates received word that the battle had reached his home. His estates had been destroyed, his wife and eight of his children had been moved to safety, but his four older boys had joined the Continental Army, and were preparing for battle. All of a sudden, things were very personal, and that delegate no longer cared about the lack of direction from his state - he decided to choose a side, to take a stand, and he signed that Declaration - because if his sons were out there on the firing lines, he wanted to make sure they knew what they were fighting for.

No matter where we are in this battle, on the front lines, out in the field, or back at headquarters - our commitment, our passion, our fire for the Lord should be the same - total, all-consuming, and shining strong, undimmed until the end; we should be determined to fight the good fight - until the job is done. Even when it seems the odds are against us - even when all seems hopeless, we must not give up. And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. (Galatians 6:9)

John Adams was totally committed to the cause of American independence. How did he remain so committed? How did he keep going despite the discouragement, the frustrations, the delays, the seemingly overwhelming odds? He had a vision of freedom. He could see the promise of a free and independent country - even though nothing like it had ever existed on the earth before. He could see the fireworks, the parades, the celebrations that would take place in years to come - because of what they were doing right there and then.

How can we stay committed to the cause of Christ despite discouragement, frustration, delay, and seemingly overwhelming odds? Keep the vision of freedom always in front of our eyes - freedom from sin, and freedom from death, and eternal life in the kingdom of God. Try to imagine that glorious place, a new heaven and a new earth, even though it is beyond our imagination. Still, keep a vision of the unimaginable in mind - because regardless of whether or not we can picture it - it is real, and one day, we will see it all - our faith will be sight.

The 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, along with so many others, did indeed pledge their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to the cause of freedom:

O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!

Freedom is not free.

Our American freedom was certainly not free. Many brave men gave their fortunes, and their lives - to purchase freedom for us. I am so thankful for their commitment and vision and bravery - and their sacrifice, for me.

Our spiritual freedom is not free, it comes at a cost. Jesus paid that price on the cross - He purchased our freedom for us. I am so thankful for His commitment and vision and bravery - and His sacrifice, for me.

And He has given us His marching orders - Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20) He calls us to complete commitment, and He gives us a vision to keep in front of us, to help us to stay committed until the end - In My Father's house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you to Myself , that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:2-3)

I have to ask myself - am I totally committed to Him? Am I storming the gates of Hell - as He called me to do? Am I bound and determined to stay faithful, and finish all the work that He has given me? Jesus didn't give up, He made sure He finished the work that God had given Him to do. He didn't quit, He didn't wait to see what others did, He walked in obedience to His Father. I must examine myself, and ask..."Am I a Soldier of the Cross"?

Am I a soldier of the cross, A foll'wer of the Lamb?
And shall I fear to own His cause, Or blush to speak His name?

Must I be carried to the skies On flow'ry beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize, And sailed thro' bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace, To help me on to God?

Sure I must fight if I would reign; Increase my courage, Lord!
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain, Supported by Thy Word.

Freedom isn't free.

We have been bought with a price.

May our lives glorify Him.