The freedom we all enjoy in this country is a true gift from God. But what exactly is freedom? It is the responsibility to do what is right, not the right to do as you please. In the news these past few months we have heard a lot about Hollywood stars that are against the war in Iraq. Throughout the course of American history, this nation has remained free, not because of movie stars and liberal activists, but because of the brave men and women in our Armed Forces who were willing to fight to the death for our freedom. The Bible says, "Greater love hath no man than he lay down his life for a friend."

As freedom loving Americans we should give our military honor and acknowledgement, and not let their lives be in vain. We have remained silent too long. Let us all rise up in righteous rage against these pampered, spoiled, and overpaid movie stars. Let us all as Americans, stand shoulder to shoulder, united and indivisible, supporting our President and the men and women who proudly serve in our military.

WHY DO YOU WANT FREEDOM AND WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO WITH IT?

There is no freedom without community. We need each other because our lives are linked together. What affects me also affects you. We cannot run from each other, we must embrace each other. Christians are not doing a good job of "loving your neighbor as yourself". Too many churches today are still segregated by race or economics. However when you open your Bible, you only read about "the church" of Jesus Christ.

What good is our freedom of speech, unless you have something to say? It is completely empty if all you can do is lie, criticize, and accuse others. Sure the Constitution of the United States says that we can say what we want, but lets see what God says, "All liars shall have their part in the lake of fire and brimstone which is the second death" (Rev.21:8 KJV).

What benefit is the freedom of worship unless we decide to worship? In this country, we have the freedom to attend church on Sunday, but why are so many churches empty? Obviously it is because people choose not to attend. Freedom requires that you make choices. Your choices have gotten you where you are right now. As Pastor John Hagee would say, "if you are in a pigs pen, it's not your mother and fathers fault, its not the governments fault, its your fault"!

Americans have always been willing to pay any price for freedom. If you don't believe it, then look at the many costs of freedom. One is divorce, or the freedom from fidelity. According to US News & World Reports, two out of every five children in America do not live with their real fathers. The drug culture is freedom from reality, insecurity, and worry. Drugs cost America countless dollars and leaves us with people who will never live productive lives.

Lets continue to look at our nation closely. We have worshipped other gods and called it multiculturalism. We have endorsed sodomy and called it an alternative lifestyle. We have exploited the poor and called it the lottery. We have rewarded laziness and called it welfare, for those that are able to work but refuse to work. In the name of "convienience", and "choice", we have murdered the unborn. We have neglected to discipline our childern and called it building, "self esteem". We have polluted the air with profanity and pornography and called it "freedom of expression". Its high time the church said "enough is enough!"

It is time to say that I will not look back, let up, slow down, back away or be still. My past is forgiven, my present is redeemed, and my future is secure. I am no longer in need of position, prominence, or popularity. I don't have to be praised and rewarded. Unfortunately, we have too many "Pollyanna" preachers out there pampering their congregations with feel good, non scriptural sermons. I have seen it so many times where the church wants to teach you how to live with your sin, rather than repent from your sin. "Be comfortable, just come back", says the smiling, wide eyed preacher in his robe. "Use the pew bibles, you don't need to bring your own. We'll be out of here in just under an hour" he says while half the congregation is committing adultery and taking advantage of unsuspecting, trusting, friends. Its time for the church of Jesus Christ to return to the Bible and preach about sin, hell, and Christ crucified, not this sweetened, watered down hooey that encourages the congregation to continue in their sin! Lord have mercy!

I now walk with unspeakable joy and my goal is heaven. I am free from the powers and principalities of darkness. Free from the guilt of the past. Free from the fear of the future because "whom the Son sets free is free indeed." Freedom will never come at the expense of conscience. Conscience is a God-given instrument of discernment so we can determine right from wrong.

The prodigal son trashed his conscience on the way to the far country. As a Jewish boy, he was trained in the Torah and knew better than to dishonor his father and foolishly spend all of his money. However, that is exactly what he did. He found out that reason or intellect will justify what the conscience condemns. The Bible says that the carnal mind is enmity against God. If you have ever argued with yourself, then it is your reason versus your conscience.

What does it mean to walk in the spirit? It is learning to respond initially to the voice of God, who controls your conscience, before you end up in the pig's trough. What does it mean to walk in the flesh? It is rejecting to follow your conscience and God's way. When you trample your conscience long enough, you will believe a lie and not even think of it as being wrong.

 How free is freedom? It is never free enough to ignore community or conscience. You are never free until you are voluntarily mastered by something greater than yourself. God has never set anyone free to do their own thing.

The children of Israel had been slaves who prayed, sang and talked about freedom. After four hundred years, from the back side of the desert came Moses. After ten earth shaking miracles, they were set free by the Almighty hand of God. God did not take them into the wilderness to do their own thing. He took them to Mt. Sinai, where He bound them forever to the Ten Commandments.

The first sermon Jesus taught was about "setting the captive free." It was not about doing your your own thing, but rather, taking up your cross and following Him. What I'm trying to convey friends is simply this, there is no freedom except the will of God. Every other freedom is just an illusion. Some people will batter and bruise themselves to get away from God, only to finally find out that HE is the only way. "Whom the Son sets free is free indeed," (John 8:36 KJV). True freedom comes from the redeeming power of Christ's blood. Freedom from worry, sickness, doubt or anxiety is closer than you think. When you choose Christ, you choose real freedom. He will never leave you. He will never forsake you. And unlike Hollywood, He will be with you until the end. God Bless America, and please friends, pray for our brave troops.