The Thirst for Freedom

I still remember Rush Limbaugh and “America Held Hostage.”

I’ll admit it, I laughed at some of his “entertainment.” It was nice to hear a conservative voice in the midst of the chaos.

But I was concerned. I was concerned then, and I’m concerned now.

About what?

Cynicism. Negativity. Stereotyping “liberals.”

I thought to myself, “we are going to pay for this.”

Even reading the comments on my own site here, I see it.

We have gotten used to “Liberals are all whackos.” “Right-Wingers are all evil.” “George Bush is a liar.” “Bill Clinton is a womanizer.”

I think this is what is happening. Many Americans have accepted a cynical heart attitude. If someone is charged with a crime, they must be guilty. The side of the argument other than my side must all be “crooks” and “liars.”

So what do I propose? It is possible to think analytically and critically without having a judgmental attitude of anger and cynicism! It is even possible to confront “evil” with love and truth instead of negativity.

The apostle Paul called it “speaking the truth in love“

It is good for us to question. It would be a serious error to believe everything the government or the media says. I definitely don’t believe everything I hear! But we can maintain a loving and positive attitude while doing it.

It can be done.

And I am not talking about “can’t we all just get along and be nice.” I am talking about love here. Jesus even teaches us to love even our enemies! I’m not talking about trying to make people feel ok.

I submit that cynicism is as much of a threat to Freedom as ignorance or blind allegiance. Because if the public is cynical, they can so easily be manipulated by their fears! If we become so convinced in our heart attitude that our opponents are wicked, the conversation is over!

Now, it is possible for someone to behave wickedly! No doubt about it. Let’s love our enemies! Let’s confront with truth, but in love. Let’s be humble about the “truth” we confront with and when shown to be an error admit it.

However, if we become gullible and in the name of “not believing everything we hear” we actually believe everything bad we hear about our opponents, we have become vulnerable to manipulation by agendas. Everyone has agendas.

Freedom requires vehement disagreement, intense discussion, public confrontation, etc. But we can always treat our fellow human beings like what they are. Created in the image of God as our equals. Even those “liberal whackos” were created by and are loved by God!

ThirstyJon

I just posted the following comment on CNN.com:

I think this quote from a previous comment shows something very clearly:

“‘I just want to close my eyes and ears until he is out of office.’
Posted By Jared … : September 6, 2007 6:43 pm”

It seems that some folks need this war to fail. What will it take to get the people in the “hate Bush” movement to set aside their prejudice and listen? There is some good happening and a potential for great things in Iraq.

ThirstyJon
freedomthirst.com

What do you think? Leave a comment!

Freedom starts on the inside. Without internal freedom no one will really be free.

Once a man is free inside, it flows to the external realities, and begins to influence those around him to also be free.

A free society must be made up of free individuals. If the individuals are not free in their hearts, they will easily be manipulated by fear, superstition, hatred, and other vices.

It follows that the government can not make a people free. A government can be set up to externally respect individual rights and freedoms, but it cannot cause freedom.

Oh the implications!

So what does it mean to be free inside?

• It means to be free from hate, bitterness and unforgiveness.
• It means having the power to love others as much as oneself.
• It means having the power to do what is right even to one’s own hurt.
• It means having knowledge in mind and heart of what is true, just and right.
• It means having a conscience that is clean from guilt.
  • That includes a sense of being forgiven by God
  • That includes a sense of being forgiven by oneself
  • That includes a sense of having done everything possible to be right with others

How do we get there? I haven’t met hardly anyone who is truly free. It seems that all of us suffer from fears, doubts, bitterness, and so much trouble.

One of my favorite songs is by Misty Edwards. She sings “just let my heart be alive, let me be living deep deep on the inside, come fan the flame!”

Here are some thoughts:

• It starts with reconciliation with our Creator and Father, the One True God of all existence.
  • This includes being forgiven
  • This includes receiving love from him
  • This includes receiving a new nature in our inner-most being through the Holy Spirit
  • This includes God Himself living inside of us.

How in the world does all that happen?

This is why Jesus came. My testimony is the following, and the testimony of the Holy Scriptures is the same. (And they are so much more important than me!):

All of us were in bondage to ourselves, our selfishness, and our “animal” nature. Jesus came to change us on the inside. He did not come to make us follow a bunch of rules. He did not come to make us feel bad every Sunday. He did not come to force us to our knees. He came to set us free. Free from guilt, and free from ourselves. Ultimately, this will lead to freedom from one another as well! The strong will no longer dominate the weak.

Jesus came to set each individual free on the inside.

Jesus Christ, Yeshua the Messiah of the Jews and Savior of the World is the very foundation of all human freedom.

He starts by creating individuals that are so free, that you cannot even take away their freedom by treating them unjustly or killing them. If you mistreat them they forgive you. If you kill them they either come back to life miraculously, or await in Heaven with Jesus to return to the earth.

It is addictive, this freedom. It spreads. Whole empires have tried to stop it. Bibles have been burned, Jesus’ followers have been slaughtered.

But it continues to grow in an out of control way. The message is still spreading. The prophet Daniel talked about a Rock that became a Mountain that filled the whole earth. It is still growing, it is still filling the earth.

Imagine a world where each individual upholds the well-being and dignity of his fellow man! Not even death can stop such a force.

Love, humility, service, compassion, justice, and all virtue are the result of Jesus changing individuals internally one at a time.

This kingdom of goodness is coming on earth. Are you ready?

Don’t you want some?