responsible freedom

You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another humbly in love.
~Galatians 5:13

"Our country has accepted obligations that are difficult to fulfill, and would be dishonorable to abandon. Yet because we have acted in the great liberating tradition of this nation, tens of millions have achieved their freedom. And as hope kindles hope, millions more will find it. By our efforts, we have lit a fire as well - afire in the minds of men. It warms those who feel its power, it burns those who fight its progress, and one day this untamed fire of freedom will reach the darkest corners of our world." *

Already the press is having an apparent brain aneurism over the president's second inaugural speech. Evidently, Peggy Noonan was left with a "bad feeling" and "reluctant dislike" over such an assertion of agenda and (in her thoughts) overuse of God. Yet the primary thrust of this speech was on liberty and what liberty means in the world. In fact, it resounded many of the sentiments expressed in the founding documents and the personal papers of our nation's fathers.

What the president spoke of is the biblical notion that true freedom cannot exist apart from a relationship with the Creator. Since he assumes 1) there is a Creator and 2) Scripture is true, he has rocked the boat somewhat with his statements. And what bothers me is that many believers do not share in his conviction. Perhaps this is because the accurate biblical portrait of freedom compels individuals to act - something that American Christians do not always care to do aside from throwing money at some cause.

We have been given the gift of freedom. . .it is thus our responsibility to spread liberty across all of the world. There is much that has been entrusted to us and there is so much work that lies ahead.

. . .and then we also have responsibility as Americans.

"When the Declaration of Independence was first read in public and the Liberty Bell was sounded in celebration, a witness said, 'It rang as if it meant something.' In our time it means something still. America, in this young century, proclaims liberty throughout all the world, and to all the inhabitants thereof. Renewed in our strength - tested, but not weary - we are ready for the greatest achievements in the history of freedom." *



*President George W. Bush, Second Inaugural Address, January 20, 2005.