Freedom Watch

For more than two weeks we watched spellbound as a real time revolution unfolded on our television screens. The city of Cairo, Egypt seemed to teeter on the edge of anarchy.

Then the streets of Egypt transformed before our eyes. Last Friday hundreds of thousands danced, wept and prayed in joyful celebration after their peaceful protests forced President Hosni Mubarak to surrender power to the military.

According to the Egyptians, Mubarak’s 30 years as the last ‘Pharaoh’ were finally over.

Now it seems possible that the fire of freedom may spread from Egypt to other oppressed nations. If it could happen in Egypt, could it happen elsewhere? Many hope so.

One picture that captured my heart was of an Egyptian holding a sign that said, “TODAY MY REAL BIRTHDAY. I’M FREE.”

After years of oppression and fear, the taste of freedom was exhilarating. Almost like being reborn into a new life—a life of freedom. What could be better?

To taste real freedom would be better. Do you know what it’s like to be really free?

“Now hold on just a minute!” you say. “I’m an American. I was born free!”

That may be true. But there’s freedom and then there’s REAL freedom.

Political freedom is a wonderful thing. But it is possible to be politically free and still a slave. A slave spiritually, that is.

Two thousand years ago Jesus Christ spoke to the people of his day about freedom. He said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free.”

But they protested, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?”

Jesus replied, “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son [of God] sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Later he added, “If anyone keeps my word, he will never see death.”

According to the Bible, sin is disobeying God. Ignoring him. And sin leads to death.

But the true human problem is the attitude behind a rebellious heart that says, “I don’t need God or anyone else telling me how to run my life.” That attitude reveals we are slaves to sin.

Imagine life if you were free from slavery to sin and free from the fear of death. Now that would be real freedom! Even if you lived under a dictator your spirit would be free.

Freedom outwardly is wonderful. But freedom inwardly is truly being reborn!

So how can one find inner freedom? According to the Bible, it comes through faith in Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection. He willingly died in our place so we could be forgiven.

Many people find this hard to believe. It seems too good to be true. But for those who take God at his word and believe him, there is real freedom and forgiveness—and they know it’s true.

If you have ever lain awake in bed and thought, “I would give anything to undo what I’ve done.” If you have ever looked in the mirror and said, “I can’t believe what I have become”--to you the God of the Bible offers forgiveness and a brand new start in life. You can be born again.

It was wonderful to watch the people of Egypt break free from political oppression and taste the freedom of liberty. But it’s nowhere near as exhilarating as the joy and freedom that comes through faith in Jesus Christ. And it’s for everyone in every nation of the whole world.

Listen to the Bible; it’s great for your soul!