Freedom is essential to Americans. The concept is enshrined in our Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. Our national anthem includes the words, "the land of the free..."
The most recent national holiday, the Fourth of July, pays tribute to the birth of our nation, commemorating the day in 1776 when the 13 American colonies chose to reject the English monarchy of King George III and opted for freedom — freedom from a tyrannical rule. And they had the idea that people should be able to choose their leaders. They adopted a document that guaranteed their rights as inalienable under God. Quite a revolutionary idea, at the time, to be sure; even though it wasn't applied to all the inhabitants of the nation.
This freedom did not initially include women or slaves. This freedom was acknowledged to be the exclusive right of white, male landowners. All others were excluded.
Freedom is also essential to God. Our Heavenly Father has guaranteed freedom in his "Constitution" — the Holy Bible — that ensures people's spiritual freedom. A freedom from the tyrannical rule of Satan and the power of sin. And it is all-inclusive.
It is this freedom that Adventism enunciates in a timeless echo of Jesus' bold statement, "You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free" (John 8.32). This freedom cost Jesus Christ his life. And it is ours as a gift. Amazing!
With this freedom, we are invited to join the resurrected Christ in telling the world about the liberty and freedom — not license — He guarantees. We are called to preach, teach and live out the powerful, life-transforming message that no other group has been called to share.
Yes, I am one of those Seventh-day Adventist's who believes that we have been chosen as a religious entity to proclaim a message no other group has ever been commissioned to share. No, I don't believe we are superior to others, looking down our noses at other people of faith. Having a special task doesn't make us better than others. It makes us accountable to God to a higher degree. "Much is required from those to whom much is given, and much more is required from those to whom much more is given" (Luke 12:48b, NLT).
We do have a great privilege to share a special body of ignored or forgotten biblical data that uniquely positions Jesus as the singular savior of the world. Not only is Jesus the literal Son of God, He is the only solution to this world's problems, which seem to proliferate daily. And He asks us to share what He has given to us with others.
Perhaps there are people right in the office where you work or the school where you teach or study who are not free. Many of our neighbors and business associates have a secret hunger for satisfaction and a yearning for freedom and happiness that they have not secured in their professional and or personal life. God guarantees that He can give it to them.
Following His principles — obeying His word — frees us from the power of sin, its guilt, and when He returns, from sin's presence. But that's not all; obeying God produces true freedom and joy right here and now. He guaranteed it with His blood. Let's tell the world, our piece of the world, right here in the Pacific Union.
