When I was a young boy, back in the early 1960’s, my dad was stationed in Germany in the US Air Force. On one of his 30-day leaves we traveled to the country of Greece. With the political climate of Greece at that time (it has changed often since then), I distinctly remember going to Sunday services with the local church of Christ. We met in an unmarked store building with all the windows covered so as not to be detected. We were told by the local members that if we were caught, we could have been arrested for meeting as an “unauthorized” religious organization. We met anyway, and they always met regardless of the possible consequences. I also remember seeing a picture of my boyhood self in a tie and an overcoat watching baptisms in the Mediterranean Sea and remember some members keeping a watchful eye out to make sure we were not detected and arrested for doing so.

On a mission trip as an adult to a South American country, I was struck by the fact that we had to get permission to travel from one part of the country to another. But what really struck me was that even citizens of that socialist country had to get the same permission. They could not travel freely.

This country is not perfect. I live here so it can’t be perfect! But, it has been a haven of freedom, as designed by its founders from the beginning. And the original freedom spread beyond where it started to recognize that all humans are worthy of freedom and respect. 

Two notes: 

*Freedom does not come free!; 

*Freedom does not mean that we are not bound by laws to make freedom work for all.  

There is a freedom that cannot be taken away by any nation, any ruler, any earthly power – and true freedom is found at the foot of the cross if we will submit to Jesus Christ in obedient faith (Romans 6:1-19).

Happy 4th of July to all!