“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

These words are from the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America. This country was founded on this premise – the premise that all people are created by God and therefore, our “unalienable Rights” are given to us by our Creator, God – not by any government of man. Governments neither give us our rights, nor should any government take them away. This belief is what led the colonists to break ties with England and establish their own government.

Historically, being free to pursue life, liberty and happiness has been the hallmark of the United States. Must be why so many people come here every year fleeing other more repressive governments around the world. What puzzles and concerns me is why, once here, these same individuals would want to change and tear down the very freedoms and protections of the individual that they came here seeking? I realize individuals who have never lived under any other government but the U.S. might not realize how fortunate we are to have these freedoms and just how precious these freedoms are. But I would think that those who have escaped more repressive regimes would not be so eager to recreate them here.

Those that come from other places seeking a better life, which is what freedom offers, surely should recognize the value of democracy and of all the opportunities freedom affords them. Why then would anyone come to the United States and then proceed to tear down the very democracy that provides them freedom and protection? We used to call that “biting the hand that feeds you.”

Our freedom has been purchased at a very great price. Starting with the Revolutionary War, many courageous individuals have sacrificed their lives to purchase the freedoms you and I enjoy today. Their blood bought our freedom. Seems like something we should never take for granted. Many wounded warriors walk among us today, also having paid a great price and given sacrificially to protect our way of life and keep us free. We owe them a debt of gratitude that can never be fully paid.

And then there is the One who paid the ultimate price to give you and me the ultimate, lasting freedom – freedom that can never be taken away from us by any earthly governments or powers.

“You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.” (Revelation 5:9)

Jesus shed His blood and died on the cross to pay the price for our sin, yours and mine, and to purchase our freedom. It was a one-time sacrifice for our all-time freedom.

“But when this priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.” (Hebrews 10:12-14)

Jesus’s sacrificial death and forgiveness of my sins sets me free.

“For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin – because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” (Romans 6:6-7)

Freedom here on earth is not guaranteed. There are many around the world who are currently living under repressive regimes. Freedom is often tenuous and hard to hang onto once achieved. Abraham Lincoln warned of this in his Gettysburg Address, saying –

“that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain – that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom – and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”

Government can’t guarantee you and me our freedom, BUT – Jesus has already secured an eternal freedom for each and every one of us who claim Him as our Lord and Savior. We have His Word on this –

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” (Galatians 5:1)

“So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

sincerely, Grace Day