July 2008

The word “Freedom” probably is one of the most misunderstood and abused terms in our culture. Living in this free country, all of us are used to “Freedom reigns!” People would rather die than to lose their freedom. When we enjoy freedom that we so cherish, we must ask piercing questions such as “What are we freed from?” or “What does it mean to be freed?” or “Who set me free?”

As we celebrate Independence Day this month, I think it serves us well to remember how much trouble the forefathers of this country had to go through to gain “Independent”. Long ago, there were persecutions of Christians by the corrupted Church in Europe. In order to be freed on that unwarranted oppression, Christians began to find a new “home” so that they could freely worship God. They found America. Soon after, more people from Europe migrated to this land because it was indeed a land of opportunities. As time passed, thirteen colonies in the east coast were formed. During the 1760s and 1770s, relations between the Thirteen Colonies and Britain became increasingly strained, primarily because of the resentment of the British Parliament's ability to tax American colonists without their consent. Disagreement turned to violence and in 1775 the American Revolutionary War began. The following year, the colonists declared the independence of the United States, breaking the sovereign rule of Britain. July Fourth was chosen as a special day commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence and on July 4, 1776, the declaration was signed and the United States became independent.

About one hundred years later, American Civil War broke out between the North and the South. The major contention was the abolishment of slavery system. Let by President Lincoln, the North won and the slaves were set free, gaining freedom that they had never have before.

I appreciate what these great Americans had to go through in order to gain freedom. Personally, I believe Freedom is a privilege, and therefore should not be taken for granted. It is a product of sacrifices by many. Some of them had to forfeit their lives so that others may enjoy the fruit of their fight. Unfortunately, many people don’t think of Freedom that way. They think that freedom is a license to do whatever they want, regardless of consequences, but in fact, true freedom is the ability to do what is right. For example, we have freedom to drive on the road, but we don’t have the freedom to do whatever we feel like on the road. There are laws to obey. Therefore, it takes obedience in order to enjoy true freedom. To be truly free, we must have the power and ability to be obedient. There is a saying that worth remembering: You are free to make your choice, but you are not free not to accept the consequences of your choice.

Before I sign off, I would like to remind all the Christians who read this newsletter that we are set freed by the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave up His life for that end. It is not a license to sin, but rather, an order to obey to do good works. Don’t be enslaved to sin again for the chain of slavery to sin has been broken by the cross of Calvary. Enjoy your Freedom!

Pastor Larry

「自 由」可能是現今文化其中最被濫用及誤解的名詞之一。住在美國這個自由的國家，我們都習慣高舉自由。人們都認為不自由無寧死。當我們正在享受著這麼珍貴的 「自由」的時候，也許我們要問一些較為尖銳的問題，例如：「我是從什麼的景況中被釋放出來？」或「得到了自由究竟是什麼意思？」或「是誰使我得自由呢？」

當 我們慶祝美國國慶的時候，我想如果我們去思想以前這些國父如何艱辛才可以立國是對我們有益的。多年前，在歐洲的基督徒被當時腐敗的教會所逼迫，所以他們希 望能夠找到一個新的「家」好使他們可以自由地去敬拜神而不會受到教會所施的莫須有的壓力。他們找到了美國大陸。從那時侯起就有更多移居來北美洲的歐洲人， 因為北美實在是一片充滿機會的地土。之後在東岸就先後組成了「十三殖民地」。在一七六零至一七七零年代，這「十三殖民地」與英國的關係惡化，其中主要的原 因是因為英國在沒有得到這些殖民地的同意之下而重加稅務。這導火線引致人民以暴力來反叛，最後在一七七五年就產生革命戰爭。跟著的一年，「十三殖民地」就 宣告脫離英國主權的統治，正式獨立，成為美國聯邦。美國國會因此就選擇了每年七月四日為獨立日以記念在一七七六年七月四日與英聯邦簽條約成為美聯邦。

在大約一百年之後，美國又發生了南、北內戰。主要原因是要廢除奴隸制度。由林肯總統率領的北部獲得最後的勝利，數以百萬計的奴隸因此就被釋放，能享受到以前從未經歷過的「自由」。

我 非常欣賞這些過去的美國歷史偉人，他們為著要得到自由而作出的犧牲實是大的。對我個人來說，我相信能擁有「自由」是特惠優待，所以不應該當為是必然的；而 是經過不少人的犧牲所產生出來的成果。他們甚至願意放棄自己的生命來換取別人的自由。很可惜的是，人們不多有這樣的看法，他們倒以為「自由」是放寬限制， 不需理會後果的任意妄為。事實上，真正明白自由的人是會把握所得的機會去作正確的事。例如有駕駛執照的人有自由在路上駕駛汽車，但這並不等於他們可以隨意 在路上自作主張，因為是有交通規則需要遵守的。所以如果要真的去享受自由是需要服從命令的。正確活出自由是從自制能力及順從命令而產生的。有句智慧的言語 可能是值得我們記著的：『你有十足的自由去作出決定，但你卻沒有任何自由不去承擔你的決定所帶出來的後果。』

在 收筆之前，我願意藉這機會提醒讀這通訊的基督徒，是主耶穌用祂的生命來換取我們的自由。這並不是說我們可以隨意犯罪，相反地是要以自由去順命行善。因此我 們切記不要再被罪的權勢所控制，因為捆綁著我們、支配著我們犯罪的鎖鏈已在各各他山上被十架所破除了。享受你的自由吧！

唐若愚牧師