This weekend we celebrate the
birth and life of our nation. Our nation began with a struggle
as women and men sought to be
free from both secular and religious tyranny. I believe this
desire for freedom speaks well about defining humanity. As a
nation we have had our faults and weaknesses not always willing
to extend the freedoms we desire to others. On the other hand,
thousands upon thousands have given their lives to not only preserve
our freedom but to also help win it or preserve it for others.
Even as I speak we are once again engaged in such a struggle.
Because of the political freedom we enjoy we can debate the
merits of the present conflict which many do expressing why we
should or should not be involved in Iraq. Some would say it is
to insure the ever present need for oil. Others would say it
was to remove a ruthless dictator. Still others insist it is
to combat terrorism. A few still believe there are weapons of
mass destruction. Others would attempt to lay the blame on the
personal whims of our President. Many would say it is the right
and necessary thing to do. Many more attempt to enjoy their lives
hoping somehow the conflict will not personally involve them.
I am certain there are other positions including one that says
we have no business being involved in the affairs of other nations
and our troops should be brought home at once.
I am not advocating any of the aforementioned positions. I am
only saying there are many positions and that almost everyone
has a position. Some vocalize their views almost constantly while
others prefer to remain almost silent on the subject either believing
nothing they say really matters nor will it change or influence
what is taking place.
There is another war going on that also impacts almost every
one of us. We don't hear as much about it nor does there
seem to be as much media coverage of any debate concerning it.
The apostle Paul refers to this war in Romans 7:23. He talks
about the struggle within himself between the law of God which
he loves and the law of sin which he hates but admits captivates
him much of the time. I believe Paul describes a struggle that
occurs within the majority of those who are truly attempting
to follow Jesus.
Augustine defines this condition faced by humanity as, "original
sin." Adam and Eve disobeyed God, and men and women have
been born into this condition ever since. John Calvin, the leading
voice of the founders of Presbyterianism goes even further. He
says we live in, "total depravity." Depravity, as
defined in the dictionary, is "defamed, perverted or corrupted." This
is the complete opposite of the "very good," used to describe humankind in Genesis 1:31.
It doesn't do much for one's self-esteem to be called
totally depraved. I am certain all of us would rather be called "forgiven" and
so we are. While we may have been freed from eternal death which
is the final result of sin or of being separated from God, we
nevertheless have not yet learned how to live appropriately in
that freedom.
For one thing we tend to rely way too much on our own ability
and power and not nearly enough on the power and grace which
God offers us in Jesus Christ. In Romans 6:6, Paul declares, "We
know our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of
sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to
sin."
Then in chapter 7, Paul admits in verse 15, "For I do
not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate." If
sin is defeated how can this be? God has indeed given us the
opportunity to overcome the results of sin through the love extended
to us in Jesus Christ. We now have a choice that once was not
ours.
We have to do more than just say we accept it. We have to live
into it. This gift of new life God offers us requires us to utilize
the means by which God makes the gift available. It doesn't
happen on its own as if God has waved some magic wand.
Jesus gives us a major clue about this in Matthew 11:29 where
He says, "Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for
I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls." What we may not realize here is the word "yoke" was
often used to represent the Torah or the Old Testament Jewish
Law. People did not understand its spirit which was to set them
free. Rather they saw it as something that condemned them. We
have some of the same problem today. We still have a lot to learn
about what it means to be free and what true freedom of choice
involves.
There are many stories about how many slaves reacted following
their being set free during the Civil War. Many did not know
how to live on their own. They had to be taught what their freedom
meant. So, too, we hear of those getting out of prison. If a
system isn't in place to help them lead a new life about
70 percent return to their former one and end up back in jail.
In Matthew 11:29, Jesus is inviting us to join ourselves together
with Him, to learn and follow His teachings. Elsewhere He promises
to ask God to give us the Holy Spirit to help us live our lives
in the freedom Jesus won for us.
But, we have to learn how to be free. The chief step in doing
this is developing a love affair with Jesus Christ as a matter
of first priority. We have to be open to truly hearing what God
is saying to us rather than following some other voice and calling
it God.
Listen to this prayer: "God, I trust in you ...
I lay myself in your hands ... Allow me to glorify you
in every possible
way ... Purify my heart and clean it from all earthly matters
... If God supports you, no one will be able to defeat
you." Sounds
wonderful, doesn't it? These were words written in the
diary of Mohammad Atta, the lead hijacker of 9/11.
Many others have done horrible things believing it was what
God wanted of them. Still others do what they want and then ask
God to bless it. Jesus says, "Yoke yourself with me and
let me guide you. Let me share your burdens and temptations.
Let me bring to bear all of the power of God in every situation
you face so that you can avoid temptation."
Paul agonizes in 7:24, "Wretched man that I am! Who will
rescue me from this body of death?" He then answers his
own question in the next verse, "Thanks be to God through
Jesus Christ our Lord."
Paul, like us, was forgiven but not flawless. Because of that
he strained to discipline himself to learn how to live in the
freedom Jesus offers each of us. Each of us is called to do the
same. |
