FREEDOM

As we look forward to the Fourth of July, “Independence Day,” I thought it would be fitting to share some quotes with you to remind us ‘from whence cometh our liberty’...

So Jesus was saying to his followers, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and your will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” “So if the Son (Jesus) makes you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:31,32,34,36

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. That to secure these rights, governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed. Declaration of Independence

For by Him (Jesus) all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:16

“It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible” George Washington

“I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. All the good from the Savior (Jesus) of the world is communicated to us through this book. Abraham Lincoln

"We've staked the whole future of American civilization not on the power of government, far from it. We have staked the future of all our political institutions upon the capacity of each and all of us . . . to Govern ourselves according to the commandments of God. The future and success of America is not in this Constitution, but in the laws of God upon which this Constitution is founded." President James Madison

“Liberty cannot be established without morality, nor morality without faith.” “ Democracy and socialism have nothing in common but one word, equality. But notice the difference: while democracy seeks equality in liberty, socialism seeks equality in restraint and servitude.” Alexis de Tocqueville

Doing for others?

In Jesus last week of His earthly mission, He prophesies about the destruction of the Herodian Temple. In response to His announcement, His disciples ask Him when these things will take place, which launches Him in to a series of parables about end times and His future role. In this passage He speaks plainly, not in a parable.

“When the Son of Man (Jesus) comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep (believers/disciples) from the goats (non-Christians). He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’

“Then the righteous (believing sheep) will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’

“The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’*

Matthew 25:31-40

This is the Bible account David Pendleton was referencing last week when he talked about the upcoming prison ministry opportunity. As I read this my thoughts were, “Am I doing what I should be doing for others, particularly the poor, the down and out, the prisoners?”

Carrot or Stick?

The old farmer says there are two ways you can motivate a mule. Either get behind him with a stick and prod him to go the way he should go, or get in front of him, and encourage him along with a juicy carrot.

God told Israel in Deuteronomy 30 that He has set a blessing and a curse in front of them. God set a land flowing with milk and honey ahead of them, encouraging them to follow Him and be faithful to only Him. He also had Pharoah, a bunch of chariots, and slavery behind them.

He asks us to circumcise our hearts, set our soul apart for Him, observe His way (behave), and He will encourage us with blessings, and prosperity, and joy. He also has consequences for sin: following after other gods like money, prestige, immorality. Consequences, we’ve all had enough experience with to know to avoid.

We can apply this to our style of spiritual leadership, especially in the area of parenting. Proverbs says that if we love our children we will discipline them. The rod or correction is mentioned more than once. But, we must also encourage our charges. We need to be out in front, doing the right thing, and cheer leading for our families.

Think about your own life. In a boss or parent or spouse, what ratio of encouragement and criticism would you prefer? Let’s be Barnabas, sons of encouragement most of the time. But, let’s not neglect loving correction and discipline to keep those under our care on the path of blessing and prosperity.