The Cost of Freedom

 Anything that is free cost someone something. We live in a society in which we want to thrive on that which is free, but it costs someone, and freedom itself is expensive. If freedom were not expensive, it would be worthless. The more a product costs, the more precious it is to the owner. The cost is not always money, and on July 4th, we celebrate and remember the cost of freedom for this country. As Christians, we can appreciate the cost of freedom that Jesus gave us. We just need to remember and realize that freedom isn’t free, and its cost is precious as it cost many their lives. 

Men and women have lost their lives fighting for our freedom in America. We have the freedom to vote for whom we want, to think how we want, and believe how we want, even if our beliefs are not substantiated in facts, we have the freedom to believe. I would have it no other way. I don’t want to be forced to believe or think how others want me to think and believe.  I don’t want everyone to think and believe the same, and that includes spiritual beliefs. I’m a Duke basketball fan. There is no way I’ll ever believe and think like everyone else, but that’s not the only freedom we can celebrate. 

Jesus sacrificed his life for us to live free from sin. He gave everything, so that we could be saved by grace through faith. There is no act of service or good work that we can do to repay him for his sacrifice. People try to repay him with acts of service and good behavior. As humans, I think we struggle with this because we cannot comprehend such an act of sacrifice. We can show gratitude, but we need to know that it will not repay Jesus, but to show gratitude to Jesus.

With all of the sacrifice for our freedom, how do we respond? We show gratitude. Gratitude can come in the form of actions with service. We can show gratitude with our love toward other human beings, even if, and especially if, we disagree with them in the realm of spiritual or political issues. We can begin to love those that are different from us. 

Loving others is the complete strategy of showing gratitude for those who sacrificed for our freedom. The ten commandments are summed up in two commands, love God and love others as you love yourself. Love is the answer. If we love others, we communicate without belittling and mocking. If we love others, we understand that they will believe and think differently from us, and we appreciate that, even if we disagree. If we love others, we listen with empathy and compassion. If we love others, we perform acts that benefit all. 

This July 4th, may we celebrate the freedom that we have. May we also express gratitude for that freedom with love, so that others may enjoy the freedom. If we fight for freedom with love, then love will prevail. The sacrifice of life for our freedom was done for love. Jesus loved us and wanted to save us from our sins, and our soldiers loved the country for which they died. Let us show our gratitude with an act of love.