Freedom and Faith - 2 Corinthians 3:17

2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (NRSV)

            Freedom is something that every American I know of, cherishes deeply. Ever since this beautiful nation began, the fight for Liberty and our individual rights has been maintained and strongly defended. For almost 250 years, the citizens of this vast land have fought against foreign nations and internal foes to sustain what George Washington once described as this great experiment in Liberty.

This freedom, however, was not given to everyone when the United States was established, so both a Civil War and a Civil Rights Movement had to take place in order to expand this right of Liberty to more people. As each generation comes and goes, the struggle to maintain unalienable rights and broaden our freedoms continues. It is a work in progress and is being advanced all of the time. What one age group believes is freedom may be contested by a younger generation. What once was hallowed as a precious right may be changed by a better-informed and enlightened people. The idols of the past conflict with the ideals in the present; the outcome of such a struggle will determine who we are as a people and shape who we want to become.

As a Christian, freedom is very dear to my heart, especially the freedom from fear and anxiety which can liberate people from the tyrannies of terror, oppression, and self-preservation.  Upholding traditional rights can actually smother the faith of a future generation. When Christ brought the message of the Gospel to His people, it was radical and appeared irrational at times – after all, what right-minded, fiercely individual, and religiously zealous Judean would succumb to a coarse Galilean’s teaching about loving their enemies? Why would they give up protecting themselves by embracing their foes?

Why? Because Jesus knew that in order to be truly free they had to give up past idols and sacred cows in order to enjoy the liberating presence of God’s Kingdom among them. Fear had no place in a community of faith. Self-preservation and indignation had no claim with a Teacher who constantly proclaimed self-sacrifice and love. In other words, if we truly seek to be free, then we need to understand that true liberty can only be found where the Spirit of Christ abides.

Point to ponder

How much do I cherish my freedom? How does it conflict with or augment my faith?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are the Lord of Liberty and the Founder of Freedom. You have liberated us from the shackles of sin; You can set us free from our fears and self-righteous ways. Grant us the courage to embrace what is truly right in Your eyes, even if it means letting go of some personal rights in our lives. In Your Holy Name, we earnestly pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to give some feedback on today’s message, send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is one of John’s latest drawings for Lent. If you would like to view a larger version, please click this link: Lent2018.

Short devotion: Egyptian Massacre - Joshua 8:18

Joshua 8:18    Then the LORD said to Joshua, "Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand, for into your hand I will deliver the city."

I’ve a shocking confession to make: I don’t like the Book of Joshua at all. As a kid, I used to love singing the old spiritual “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho,” but as an adult, I've grown to detest the whole book because it glorifies violence and genocide. I understand the history of it all – it was a time of kill or be killed in order to survive; I just don’t embrace the violent massacre of ancient towns on moral or theological grounds.

In the 21^st century, we should have progressed to a point where violent massacres do not occur. Sadly, these inhuman events still take place. In fact yesterday in Egypt over 500 protesters were killed by the military regime and more than 2000 people were wounded. Even sadder is the fact that religious fanaticism, as well as a complete disregard for human life, was behind it.

When I reluctantly read about the battles that Joshua led and fought in the Bible, I wonder what Jesus really thinks about them. He radically taught that we should love our enemies and do whatever we can to maintain peace by helping the oppressed. I wonder if He was appalled at the thousands of people – men, women, and children – that Joshua slew. I wonder if Jesus was also deeply horrified and saddened by yesterday’s massacre in Egypt. If so, then what should we as Christians be doing to resolve it?

Questions for personal reflection

What do you think about the massacres in the Bible, as well as the one that took place in Egypt yesterday? What should Christ’s Church be doing?

Prayer:            Lord Jesus, we pray for the Egyptian people who are suffering today. We pray for those families of the massacre victims who will be distraught and wounded by their losses. Let Your Spirit of Peace come down and spread all over Egypt. Let the unrest and violence cease; let common sense and love prevail. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

John Stuart is the pastor of Erin Presbyterian Church in Knoxville, Tennessee. If you would like to comment on today’s message or ask a question, please send him an email to Traqair@aol.com.

Today’s image is John’s latest Fall colors drawing. It’s called “Fall Cabin.” If you would like to view a larger version, please click on the following link: http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2883/9507907595_e15794247c_b.jpg