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Thought for the week: Spiritual freedom is our nation's crowning achievement Date published: 7/7/2007
"LET FREEDOM When you hear the word "freedom" or "liberty," what thoughts come to your mind? Do you think of political, social or spiritual freedom? Soul freedom is both the foundation of freedom and the crown jewel at the same time. The best liberty is to be free to seek and know God according to the dictates of your own conscience. It is a crime against humanity when a government enforces a single religion. When men's souls are not free it naturally follows that the government becomes oppressive to the people. Rejoice in the fact that there are churches of many denominations in your community; they are daily giving a tribute to the individual's "soul competency" before God. The commonwealth of Virginia has a rich history of those who paid a high price to guarantee that you have religious freedom today. The historical marker on State Route 20 in Orange County tells of the total commitment of Baptist preacher John Leland and future President James Madison to spiritual freedom. Review your soul freedom: Genesis 1:27 says, "God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him." This God appeals to you in Deuteronomy 30:19: "This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life." Jesus says in John 8:32, "Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free," and followed this up in verse 36 saying, "So if the son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Let us not allow any politician or preacher to rewrite American history. The wall of separation between church and state is your guarantee that the government never try to come between you and God. Let freedom ring! "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free," Galatians 5:1, NIV. PRAYER: Thank you, God, that you took the chance that we would voluntarily respond to your love and you never forced any person to worship you against their will. Amen. Charlie Chilton is a retired Baptist minister, missionary, author and Stafford County native who lives in Orange County. He posts daily devotionals on the Web at charlie chilton.blogspot.com, and he may be e-mailed atEmail: cacfwc@aol.com.
I appreciate the sentiment of free spirituality but often I find that it's usually a Christian perspective meaning that followers of Jesus will always have freedom to worship Him, which is good. It is, however, difficult for believers of a religion that claims the only true connection with God to grant that freedom to other faiths in more than words only. The freedom comes in rejoicing in another's understanding of who God is even if it is not a Christian belief. We must let freedom ring for everyone. Amen
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