Lesson 186:To Whom We Owe Our Freedom

  
Pastor J. W. Binion
Pvt. Edward F. Arthur Camp 1783 SCV
5th Ky. Infantry CSA

Since the American Revolution there have been one million three hundred thousand (1,300,000+) men and women die to insure the freedom you and I enjoy today. These men and women believed in a cause that they felt strongly enough about that they gave their all. As the old country song says – “If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.”

This month we celebrate two hundred thirty two (232) years of freedom. We will gather at parks, beaches, backyards, and on historic battlefields to commemorate these 232 years. Some people hate us for that freedom; some of our own people don’t appreciate a thing they have been given (yes, given – because they haven’t earned it). Some people think we are blessed, I happen to be one of those. Everything we enjoy – freedom of speech, religion, press, and the right to keep and bear arms – was earned by someone shedding his/her blood. The figures I listed at the beginning are just the deaths, those numbers do not include wounded or missing in action. The 1 million plus would be nearly tripled if we included wounded and missing.

Do you enjoy this freedom – to use an old cliché --- Freedom is not free. While some cannot serve because of health or physical handicap, others choose to sit back and complain. Some put down those who would protect them. Some would prefer other forms of government. I want to bring one thing to light – this country is free because of the vision of less than fifty (50) men in the 1770s and the sacrifices of over one million three hundred thousand (1,300,000+) lives. Having said that and be humbled by the statistics – I am overwhelmed by the fact that my spiritual freedom required only ONE death.

Think about that – your spiritual freedom was paid for by one solitary life. One man – the Son of God – was hanged on a cross as a sacrifice for my sins, your sins, the sins of all mankind. That freedom is much more important than any constitution – the freedom to live eternally with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Of all the one million+ deaths, everyone fought and died for the cause of our earthly freedom (including the right to worship God as we see fit.) We owe a lot to our ancestors, but we owe everything to the Father above us – He loved the world so much, He gave up His only Son that we who believe would have eternal life. Remember that when you watch the fireworks, remember the reasons you are free and that you have an opportunity to live eternally with our Heavenly Father. Your humble chaplain – J. W. Binion, DP Min; 5th KY Vol. Inf., Arthur Camp 1783 SCV, Asst. Div. Chaplain KY Div SCV