Freedom!!!!!

Memorial Day and Independence Day, 2010
The origins and value of freedom

By Court Wood

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." The Lord Jesus Christ

Freedom is an extraordinary blessing. It began with the perfect sacrifice offered by our Lord Jesus Christ, providing forgiveness, justification, eternal life, and freedom, to all who believe in Him. Apart from the redemption provided by the Lord Jesus Christ, God with us, freedom would not even be possible. Because of this great and certain victory over Satan's power to condemn mankind, millions of men and women throughout history, have gained courage, if necessary, to give their own lives, not only for the protection of their own property and families, but also to resist evil, and to protect their fellowman. As a recipient of this mercy, costing the lives of so many, and originating in Christ, I shall remain eternally grateful.

The Cost of Freedom.

Freedom

It is important to understand what freedom represents and its value, especially since we are seeing visible freedom greatly threatened in our time. I say "visible" freedom because, once personally realized through Jesus Christ, freedom can never be taken away. It is one with eternal life.

Some Thoughts for Reflection:

Freedom was established at the creation of the world. It was, and is, a part of man, created in God's image. God is love, and love, by its very nature, must extend freedom to those loved.

Although Satan and his followers always promise "freedom," Satan is the enemy of all freedom, The Apostle Peter warned: "They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves of depravity--for a man is a slave to whatever has mastered him." Jesus told us, speaking of the devil, "He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies." Since it is Satan's constant effort to maintain complete control of the entire world, he is at the foundation of every system of religious or political tyranny. And indeed God will allow Satan to take complete control for a brief time before his final doom. Satan has been the mastermind and inspiration of every Antichrist dictator such as Hitler, Stalin, Mao, Ahmadinejad, Castro, and thousands more. Satan is the inspiration of every false religious system such as Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and "religion" (the leaven of the Pharisees) disguising itself as Christianity, blinding the minds of men to the gospel of Jesus Christ. He is an enemy to all truth, and to all freedom.

Freedom was lost when man listened to Satan's lies, and disobeyed God. The Apostle Paul wrote: "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned."

Mankind thus became a slave to sin. "I tell you the truth, 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."

Freedom can only be regained after we are delivered from the bondage of sin, and freedom is a cornerstone in the redemption promised by God to our fallen world. It was received by faith by the "children of promise" who looked forward to the promised redeemer, the "lamb of God." These multitudes of saints, known to God, and now with God, were exemplified in the Scriptures by men like Abel, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Daniel, Isaiah, David, just to name a few of the Old Testament saints. They awaited, with hope, the promised Messiah, Jesus Christ - the one who would "set us free." He was identified at His coming as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!"
Jesus carrying the cross

At the coming of Jesus Christ (God's Son, the Beginning and End, the Creator of all things, God with us), freedom was fully experienced by those who believed in and obeyed "the truth that is in Jesus" "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." At the return of Jesus Christ the creation will join us in this "glorious" freedom. "....the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."

The Importance of Freedom

Freedom from the curse of the Law, and freedom from our bondage to sin is needed by every living human soul, for all have sinned. Jesus Christ met every requirement of the law, led a sinless life, was God with us, and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice as full payment for the penalty of our sin. He died in our place. He died for the sins of the world. All that the Father required was that we love and believe in His Beloved Son. Satan tried his best to prevent this atonement for our sins, and he failed.

Chapter 12 of Revelation provides a condensed view of Satan's determined by failed attempt to prevent Jesus Christ from coming into the world. In this picture of Christ's coming the woman is Israel, the child is Jesus, and the dragon is Satan. "A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on his heads. His tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that he might devour her child the moment it was born. She gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne." The many attempts by Satan to kill Jesus before His perfect sacrifice on the cross for our sins are listed in numerous accounts in the gospels, from His birth to His death and resurrection.

Freedom is necessary for mankind to seek the Lord, and for the gospel to be preached. In the first century, God used the stability of the Roman government to provide temporary protection during the incarnation of His Son, and for His church, the Bride of Christ. Just as Satan opposed the life and work of Jesus Christ, Satan continues to blind the world, distort the gospel, compromise and distort the truth, and so mislead the world into condemnation along with himself.

After the decline of the Roman Empire, and parallel to the spread of the gospel throughout the world in the first few centuries, Satan formed a counterfeit church, the Roman Catholic Church (the Pharisees reborn) and allied the Catholic Church with the Kings and rulers of its time. This led the world into a period of several hundred years which historians rightly call "the dark ages." During this time the truth was crushed and every attempt was made by the popes and clergy to destroy any remnant of New Testament biblical Christianity. Despite the fierce persecution, the truth prevailed. The record of this difficult period for the Body of Christ can be found in books such as "The Trail of Blood," "Foxes Book of Martyrs," and other lesser known books which carefully detail the faithfulness of thousands of saints and martyrs to the testimony of Jesus and to the Word of God. Most lost their families and homes, and often their lives. "....they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death." Revelation 12:11

Although corrupt and heretical in many of its beliefs, the Catholic Church did serve God's purposes during the Crusades, and rallied brave men and women to defended Europe from Islamic Jihad. The Muslims had literally reached the gates of Paris, occupied Spain, and were sending raiding parties ashore on the British Isles. Were it not for the Crusades, we would all be Muslims today, and the Reformation would have never taken place 200 years later.

By the 14th century, Biblical Christianity began to resurface and God raised up men such as Wycliffe, Luther, Tyndale, Hus, Calvin, Arminius, and hundreds of others known only to God. Although most were martyred, some survived. The Lord used some powerful princes and kings who, taught by the reformers, and exposed to the Word of God finally available by print in the language of the people, began to realize that Christ was not represented by a pope or institution, but rather by godly men in whom Christ lived and spoke. Physical protection was provided to the reformers by these princes and kings, by the power of their swords, and THE TRUTH OF JESUS CHRIST AND THE WORD OF GOD, WHICH HAD BEEN SUPPRESSED BY SATAN FOR CENTURIES WAS AGAIN SET FREE.

I am deeply grateful for these courageous men and women, both the princes and the preachers, and their families. Many were put to death for their stand for truth, for the Word of God, and for Jesus Christ. They stand at the foundation of Christian Civilization.

Quite rightly did the Reformers consider the Pope to be the Antichrist. Indeed, although he was not THE Antichrist, he surely was an antichrist, and an epitome of the "leaven of the Pharisees." The Catholic Church, and all "religion" which obscures Christ, is well defined as "the Pharisees reborn."

The Reformation brought attention to God's Word and the great cry of the Reformation was: "Christ alone, Scripture alone, faith and grace alone, and to the glory of God alone." With the invention of the printing press, thousands began to obtain a copy of the Bible to read for themselves, and much of Europe was delivered from the tyranny of religion. The godly exercise of freedom, both religious and political, began to spread across Europe. FREEDOM HAD COME ALIVE, FOUNDED UPON JESUS CHRIST AND THE WORD OF GOD. CHRISTIAN CIVILIZATION WAS BORN. THE "TIMES OF THE GENTILES" HAD BEGUN." ONCE MORE THE GOSPEL BEGAN TO SPREAD THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

And, convinced he was being led by the Holy Spirit of God, Christopher Columbus directed his three small ships, the Nina, the Pinta and the Santa Maria to weigh anchor and head west towards what would become, really quite obviously, THE PROMISED LAND OF THE GENTILES.

God uses the church as His vessel for the proclamation of the Gospel. He uses men and nations to resist evil, to resist the spirit of antichrist, and to provide some measure of freedom in our world SO THAT MEN MIGHT SEEK THE LORD WHILE HE MAY BE FOUND. So that Christians can FREELY go and make disciples of all men. For "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." And "how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard."

"Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." "When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice..." If we have a righteous government based on the rule of God's law then the government "....is God's servant to do you good....he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer." But,"when the wicked rule, the people groan."

Some err greatly in seeing a different God for the Old and the New Testament. This "Lamb of God, and good shepherd" as our sin bearer, is one and the same Lord Jehovah who led the armies of Israel against their foes, and directed His angels to scatter and slay their enemies. During the historic period of Israel's manifestation as a nation, the Lord revealed Himself as a Mighty Warrior, and a leader of mighty warriors.

"Gird your sword upon your side, O mighty one; clothe yourself with splendor and majesty. In your majesty ride forth victoriously in behalf of truth, humility and righteousness; let your right hand display awesome deeds. Let your sharp arrows pierce the hearts of the king's enemies; let the nations fall beneath your feet. Your throne, O God, will last forever and ever; a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom. You love righteousness and hate wickedness; therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy." Psalms 45:3-7

This majestic Lord of the Old Testament who led the armies of Israel forth in victory (when they walked in obedience before him) is the same Lord who came as "the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world."

When He comes again to the earth, suddenly, and visible to every eye, this same "man of sorrows, acquainted with grief" who "laid down His life for us," will appear gloriously, not as a gentle lamb, but as the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah." The apostle John saw the vision of His second coming in the Lord's revelation to Him:

"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. 'He will rule them with an iron scepter.' He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS." Revelation 19:11-16

The entire Word of God describes the Second coming of Christ as a time of great judgment and wrath upon those outside of Jesus Christ. "...leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: 'It is mine to avenge; I will repay,' says the Lord." Romans 12:19 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-10 ".... Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath. 1 Thessalonians 1:10

This is the same Jesus of the Old Testament, of the New Testament, and of the New Heaven and Earth. He is the Alpha and the Omega. He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.

Which brings us back to Memorial Day
and Independence Day.

The past two hundred plus years have been an extraordinary time in human history. Never before, to our knowledge, has the gospel penetrated so far to every tribe, tongue, and nation. Never before has the entire world been confronted with such great value for human life. Never before have we seen such levels of prosperity.

Most of the world lives far below the standards and opportunities found in America, but the blessings of God upon Christian civilization, since the Reformation, has brought unparalleled progress to the entire world, including our enemies.

Sadly, many American Christians are ignorant of America's obvious role in the Kingdom of God throughout the entire world. This role is the result of America's Christian foundation, and is an outgrowth of what is most accurately stated as Christian Civilization, not Western Civilization, beginning with the Reformation. We are living in the closing days of the "times of the Gentiles" spoken of by Jesus. We in America are living in what I believe can be clearly described as "the promised land of the Gentiles." And just as judgment came to the nation of Israel for her disobedience, so judgment will eventually come to the gentile "promised land." But God used Israel to His glory and for His purposes, and does to this day even in her unbelief. Indeed the natural Jew, and the Nation of Israel remains one of the world's greatest spiritual and natural blessings. And even more, God is still working mightily through His church scattered throughout the world, UNDER THE PROTECTION OF CHRISTIAN CIVILIZATION. SINCE THE REFORMATION, WITH A BIBLE IN ONE HAND, AND WHEN NECESSARY, A SWORD OR RIFLE IN THE OTHER, MILLIONS OF SAINTS HAVE FOUGHT AND DIED FOR FREEDOM. FREEDOM FROM TYRANNY. FREEDOM TO THINK. FREEDOM TO PRAY. FREEDOM TO READ THE WORD OF GOD. FREEDOM TO PROCLAIM THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. FREEDOM TO GLORIFY GOD. GOD FORBID THAT WE SHOULD PARTAKE LIGHTLY OF THIS FREEDOM SO DEARLY PAID FOR BY OUR GOD, AND BY HIS SAINTS. May we "work will it is day, for night is coming when no man can work."
American Chaplin praying for one of our soldiers

American Chaplin praying for one of our soldiers

And this Freedom aligned with Christian (not Western) Civilization was purchased at a great price. It costs our Lord His life, and He gave it freely. It has cost the lives of countless martyrs throughout the centuries. And it has cost the lives of millions of soldiers who have fought bravely against tyranny in it's many forms. Never before the reformation did a soldier fight for freedom. He fought for his pay, or because he was forced to. From the reformation onward, men realized that our struggles were not in vain. Freedom is a precious gift from God to be cherished, protected, fought for, and if need be, die for. On Memorial Day, Independence Day, and every day, I am deeply grateful for the great price so many have paid for this freedom, build upon the Chief Cornerstone, Jesus Christ.

It is certain that "here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come," but it is equally true that we live as temporal citizens in a nation, along with a few other nations built on Christian foundations, not seen since God led the Jewish people into their promised land. Clearly God's hand has guided the establishment, purpose, and preservation of America, and a few other free nations. And our purpose is not for our self gratification. America's purpose in the world has been to restrain the forces of Anti-Christ which are in direct opposition to message of the gospel and the Word of God. Without freedom, people cannot have access to truth which is only found in Jesus Christ.

May God grant us courage in the days ahead. It is our duty to persevere without retreat until the day of Christ's return. We are to be witnesses of Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

I am very grateful for those who have gone before me. The days ahead may hold revival and awakening, or they may hold apostasy and continued decline of Christian civilization. Either way our calling is unchanged. We are to "endure to the end."

Thank God for freedom, for America, for our brave men and women who have fought and died that we might remain free, for all that our flag represents, for our founding fathers, for the Reformation, for every true preacher of the Gospel, and for every godly Christian man and woman.

May we take to heart the words of the Puritan John Winthrop. In 1630 John was still aboard the ship Arbella on his way to America. In a sermon to his fellow Puritans on the ship he said:

"For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us. So that if we shall deal falsely with our God in this work we have undertaken... we shall be made a story and a by-word throughout the world. We shall open the mouths of enemies to speak evil of the ways of God... We shall shame the faces of many of God's worthy servants, and cause their prayers to be turned into curses upon us til we be consumed out of the good land whither we are a-going."

May the Lord bless your 4th of July,

Love in Jesus Christ,

Court and Sandy Wood

If you are not doing so already, please ask God His will about regularly including the family of God and In Jesus' Name Ministry in your giving. When we help our brethren, we are helping our Lord, for He is suffering and persecuted with them, and in them. There is no area of giving more important in the Word of God, than helping our less fortunate brethren in Jesus Christ. And no more certain way to "lay up treasures in Heaven." Quite simply, this was our Lord's direction for our giving. Luke 12-32-34 Why else have God have so blessed us in a world with so much persecution taking place against our brethren in the Body of Christ?

Please join with us in praying for an awakening in the American church to our responsibility as the most prosperous Christians in the world. We have been so blessed, not that we might dwell at ease in Zion, but rather that we might consider ourselves, here in America, like Queen Esther, for such a time as this to bring deliverance to the people of God.

May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

The Lord Jesus Christ