Liberty or Death

"The year was 1768 when three Baptist preachers stood in a lonely Virginia courtroom accused of preaching the gospel of the Son of God in a manner unapproved by colonial statute. And as true as it was that they had been preaching, it was also true that the Episcopalian Church, the state church of the Virginia colony, would never approve of any competing denomination vying for the souls within her territory. Thus, they stood condemned as many of their brethren had stood before, both in colonial America as well as on the European continent.  But as their indictment was being read, into the courtroom strode a man who had just rode horseback over 50 miles to volunteer his services in their defense. Dressed in a common man’s attire, he was largely unknown to the crowd that had gathered that day, but to those within the bar he was very well known; this was none other than Patrick Henry."  (By Ron Hamman Religion Views, Published on Monday, June 15, 2009 8:20 PM AKDT Mat-Su Valley Frontiersman, Wassilla, Alaska)

Liberty is the opposite of death.  This is why our forefathers said we had the rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.  Whether it is the slow death of an oppressive government or the confining death of religious dictate, man's liberty is tied directly to his faith or lack of it. I see people who have no faith with family problems which seem over-whelming because they have no source of relief by faith and belief.  They have emotional problems, financial woes, family divisions and eventually a death and second death. 

Christ also knew the freedom of faith with the Father and the lack of freedom which accompanies the body.  He was willing to die to give us this freedom.    "Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. " 2 Corinthians 3:17

Our way of life as Americans is based upon the freedom in Christ.  No government decision should limit the exercise of my rights given to me by my Creator.  Patrick Henry also said this: "It can not be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!”  Our only source of FREEDOM.