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There Is A Cost To Liberty
Today’s Psalm and 2 Samuel readings offer poignant and powerful reflections on grief and loss, despair, and sorrow. Also, in 2 Corinthians, Paul challenges the church to give fully to its ministries and its calling, with particular emphasis on stewardship of material wealth.
On Tuesday, July 4th, 2006 our nation will celebrate Independence Day. For it was on July 4th, 1976, in the city of Philadelphia America’s historic documents was signed. The Declaration of Independence! The signing of this document marked the birth of this nation which under God, was destined for world leadership.
It was in declaring independence from an earthly power, our forefathers made a forthright declaration of dependence upon Almighty God.
The closing words of the Declaration of Independence declare:
“With a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.”
There were fifty-six courageous men who signed that document. They understood that this was not just high-sounding rhetoric. They knew that there is a cost to liberty. Of the fifty-six, few were long to survive. Five were captured by the British and tortured before they died. Twelve had their homes, from Rhode Island to Charleston sacked, looted, occupied by enemy, or burned. Two lost sons in the army. One had two sons captured. Nine of the fifty-six died in the war, from hardships or from its bullets.
These men were men of means; rich men, most of them, who enjoyed much ease and luxury in their personal lives. Not hungry men, but prosperous men, wealthy landowners, substantially secure in their prosperity, and respected in the communities.
However, these fifty-six men considered liberty (freedom) more important than the security they enjoyed. Therefore, they pledged their lives. They pledged their fortunes. These fifty-six men pledged their honor. They fulfilled their pledge. They paid the price. And freedom was won. Freedom is never free. It is always purchased at great cost. Someone once said: “To be born free is a privilege. To die free is an awesome responsibility.”
Today we worship openly, but not without cost. Let us not give into the wilds of Satan. Let us lift high the highest ethical values passed down to us from our church fathers and mothers, and pass them on to the up and coming generation. Because there is a cost to liberty. Freedom is not a given, but continually earned.
Amen.
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