When The Son Sets You Free

"When The Son Sets You Free"

INTRODUCTION

In the movie Brave Heart Mel Gibson plays the role of a man from Scotland whose name was Wallace. It was a great movie - very graphic in the battle scenes but it really gave you a feel of what battles were like back in those days.

Wallace was trying to win Scotland’s freedom from the cruel rule of England. The King of England at this time was a man named Longshanks and he was as cruel as he was wicked. Longshanks hatred for both Scotland and Wallace grew as the movie progressed as Wallace won many victories against England..

But in the end Wallace is betrayed by a friend and captured by Longshanks who is now older and very ill. It is Longshanks plan is not merely to kill Wallace but to have him beg for mercy and a quick death.

As the movie ends Wallace is brought to the court yard before a jeering crowd - the mock him spit at him throw things at him.... And then the Kings executioner begins to torture him... telling him that if he begs for mercy they will make the death quick.

Meanwhile Longshanks is up in his room - on his death bed - waiting to hear his enemy Wallace beg for mercy....

After not responding Wallace tries to speak - though it is difficult because his throat is missed up from being tortured -- the man in charge of the torture gets the crowd to be silent so they all can hear Wallace beg - but instead of begging for mercy -- Wallace summons up what little strenght he has left to scream with great force the word --FREEDOM!!!! it’s sound penetrating the air - and reaching the ears of Longshanks.

Freedom is a powerful word, it is a driving concept. Men have fought battles, gone to war and sacrificed greatly in order to gain freedom for themselves - or for their country...

Yesterday was the 4th of July - a day where we celebrate the anniversary of America’s freedom from England.

In 1776, 50 men signed a document written by Thomas Jefferson. "When in the course of Human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve a political bond which they have committed with another and to assume among the powers of the earth the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and nature’s God entitles them.... We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

That document was the Declaration of Independence signed in congress on July 4th 1776. Declaring America’s freedom from the oppressive rule of England.

And "Freedom" has been the battle cry of this country for over 200 years...

But unfortunately today, many in our country have a much different idea as to what this freedom is, than did our founding fathers...

Many in our society today are clueless as to what freedom is. Many think that freedom means, that they are free to do what ever they want - whenever they want.

Millions of unborn are murdered each year and its called the freedom of choice. Pornography fills the magazine racks and movie screens and they call it freedom of speech... Cults are formed, magic practiced, the physic network grows, black is worn and satan in worshipped and they call it freedom of religion.

And many believe that freedom means that they are free:

to do drugs and have sex with whoever or whatever they want -- . they think it means that kids are free to do whatever they want to do in school - go or not go --- study or not study.

and others think that freedom means - you can do whatever you want behind closed doors or whatever it takes to get a ahead...(and you could probably add more to those list.)

And tragically or ironically the things that are supposed to be evidence of their freedom, have in reality enslaved them..

Many who get involved in drugs and drinking find themselves enslaved to: addiction, prison, lost homes, lost families...etc

And sex; anytime, anyplace, anyone has led to: aids/death/std’s, unwanted pregnancies, destroyed families, broken hearts from being used... and the inability to enter the marriage bond pure and undefiled.

And kids who use their freedom in school to blow off school -- if they are not fortunate enough to have a mommy and daddy to take care of them end up uneducated flopping burgers or washing dishes the rest of their lives.

You see, for many their pursuit of freedom resulted in even greater slavery...

Do you think the people at happy hour are free?