Recently thousands have asked to be Facebook friends. They come from around the world, searching for connection, clear direction, and encouragement. While they have different backgrounds, cultures, languages, and faiths, their personal information reveals a common theme.
Where there is religious oppression and persecution, they boldly announce, "I follow Jesus." Yet where no threat exists, such information is hidden.What binds those who hide? Don't they know they're free?
Jesus came to proclaim freedom for the prisoners (Luke 4:18). Paul wrote of the glorious freedom of the children of God (Romans 8:21). Is this freedom from God's law? No. It's His perfect law that gives freedom(James 1:25). Freedom from doing wrong? Hardly. We still make mistakes along the Way. Freedom from God's anger, judgment and condemnation? Yes, but there's more.
Moses, having been with God, literally radiated His glory. Afraid, the Israelites refused to look at him. So Moses put a veil over his face. This veil remains for all who do not follow God. As Paul wrote...
Only in Christ is it taken away...But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into His likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.(2 Corinthians 3:14b-18)
The freedom God offers is not a promise for the future. It is reality in the present! His Spirit dwells within us. The old veil is gone. And we are free to reflect His glory in our lives. We who embrace this glorious freedom are very bold(2 Corinthians 3:12). Yet many hide in fear behind a new veil.
In the movie Pirates of the Caribbean---At World's End, Elizabeth Swann leads the Brethren of Pirates against an armada. But one captain challenges her, saying this is not something he's willing to die for.
"Then what shall we die for?" She replies. "You will listen to me. LISTEN! The Brethren will still be looking here to us, to the Black Pearl, to lead. And what will they see? Frightened bilge rats aboard a derelict ship? No. No, they will see free men and freedom! And what the enemy will see is the flash of our cannons. They will hear the ring of our swords, and they will know what we can do-by the sweat of our brows, and the strength of our backs, and the courage of our hearts. Gentlemen, hoist the colors."
The men immediately echo, "Hoist the colors!" As flags on the ships are raised, First Mate Mister Gibbs looks to the sky and shouts, "Aye! The wind's at our side, boys. That's all we need!"
Unlike the battle of the Black Pearl, many fight battles every day which are quite real. They face oppression, persecution, and even death if they dare to follow God. Yet they do not hide behind a veil. They live in freedom, reflecting God's glory and bringing His light into a dark world.
But what of us? When these brothers and sisters look to us, what will they see? People frightened and afraid...hiding their faith behind a veil...willing to leave them behind? No! Listen to me.
They will see men and women, freed from death and free NOW to live forever. In us, they will see the Way of God, the Truth of Christ, and the Life of the Spirit, not by the sweat of our brows or the strength of our backs, but by our love for them. They will know we follow the Son beyond the horizon and stand with them, even in the midst of their storm.
God is our guide, His Word is our compass, and we are free! Hoist the colors! Raise the Banner! The Lord is at our side, my friends. That's all we need!
