Stand Fast, Stand Free!
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· 18 viewsLet us remember on purpose. Let us remember what it was to lack freedom. Let us remember what it cost to obtain freedom, and let us remember to defend freedom for those who will come after us. Let us Stand Firm and Stand Free!
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Introduction
Introduction
High atop the United States Capitol dome in Washington stands the statue of the stately “Freedom Lady,” almost 20 feet high. Her face is framed by a crest of stars. A shield of stars and stripes is in her left hand.
The sculptured Freedom Lady was brought from Rome during a fierce storm, and the captain ordered some cargo thrown overboard. The sailors wanted to include the heavy statue, but the captain refused, shouting above the wind, “No! Never! We’ll flounder before we throw “Freedom” away.”
—James C. H
This memorial day we are to remember two things… Who and Why. Who were these men and women who gave their lives for us? Why did they do it? What was so precious that they would be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice for the benefit of those who would outlive them? The answer to who is the American Soldier and the why is for the sake of freedom. Freedom is so precious, so essential to humanity, so vulnerable to attack from the forces of darkness that honorable men and women have placed its value above all else. The Apostle Paul tells us of the value of freedom:
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
This verse tells us to stand fast in liberty. The last part of the verse presents both exhortation and warning. Stand, then, as free people is intensive and is better translated “stand firm” or, in a figurative sense, “dig your heels in firmly.” While the Greek does not have as free people, yet it is clear that what Paul wants the Galatians to be firm about is their freedom in Christ. Stand, then, as free people may be rendered as “Determine to remain free,” or “Be sure that you remain as people who have been released.”
As we meditate upon the sacrifices made in our behalf, we must not forget that it was the veneration of freedom that drove that sacrifice. We as Americans, and as Christians, enjoy blood bought freedom. We must do as Paul tells us and dig our heels in firmly to stand for the freedom that was purchased with blood.
The warning in this verse shows us that once freedom has been purchased, it is possible to me snared again with bondage. The word entangled is from enecho (ἐνεχο), which means “to be held within, to be ensnared.” It is used of those who are held in a physical (net or the like) or ethical (law, dogma, emotion) restriction upon their liberty, so that they are unable to free themselves. The Galatian Christians, having escaped from the slavery of heathenism, were in danger of becoming entangled in the meshes of legalistic Judaism. Paul in 4:1–7 had already told them of the fact that grace had placed them as adult sons in the family of God, and in 4:8–10 had asked them how it was that they were turning back to such an elementary method of living their lives. Now, in 5:1 he enforces his exhortation and launches out into a discussion of the Spirit-filled life.
With that in mind, let us do what is required of us this memorial day weekend. Let us remember on purpose. Let us remember what it was to lack freedom. Let us remember what it cost to obtain freedom, and let us remember to defend freedom for those who will come after us. Let us Stand Firm and Stand Free!
Remember What it was Like to Lack Freedom.
Remember What it was Like to Lack Freedom.
As a believer
As a believer
Remember the slavery of sin
They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.
john
And remember that thou wast a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the Lord thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the Lord thy God commanded thee to keep the sabbath day.
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee: therefore I command thee this thing to day.
But thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in Egypt, and the Lord thy God redeemed thee thence: therefore I command thee to do this thing.
deut 24
And thou shalt remember that thou wast a bondman in the land of Egypt: therefore I command thee to do this thing.
deut 22
Remember your helplessness
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God:
Many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.
As an American
As an American
ps 40 2-3
No freedom of religion
No freedom of speech, thought or expression
No freedom to defend yourself
No freedom from search, seizure surveillance
No due process
No right to choose your leader
The innocent were victimized, not protected
If a nation values anything more than freedom, it will lose its freedom; and the irony of it is that if it is comfort or money that it values more, it will lose that, too.
—Doubleday
Remember the Cost of Freedom
Remember the Cost of Freedom
As a Believer
As a Believer
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
And what he hath seen and heard, that he testifieth; and no man receiveth his testimony.
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
john
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.
And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
As an American
As an American
Those who were willing to stand loud and proud to defend freedom.
Those who lost personal freedom to defend national freedom
Those who were willing to take up arms to defend freedom
Those who were willing to leave home and loved ones to defend freedom
Those who were willing to never come home again
Those who were willing to die....
REMEMBER THE COST OF FREEDOM
Those who give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
—Benjamin Franklin
Remember to Defend Freedom for Those Who Will Follow After Us.
Remember to Defend Freedom for Those Who Will Follow After Us.
As Believers
As Believers
Avoid the bondage of legalism
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
Avoid the bondage of sin
For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Use freedom to do right
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
As Americans
As Americans
Know what freedoms have been purchased with the blood of soldiers
Never ever stand by silently while these freedoms erode.
Stand against tyranny of all forms.
Liberty is always unfinished business.
As free, and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God.
—The Ethical Outlook
So as believers, and as Americans, let us dig in our heals. Let us stand fast … let us stand free!
For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully.