Freedom Vs. Anarchy

Freedom cries out from the heart of most Americans. It’s trapped. Self indulgence, pride, and greed have formed a cage of anarchy around her. They wear Lady Liberty’s gown to deceive the masses. Few can tell the difference. But when the wise few seek her out, true freedom’s beauty will shame the liar.

Recently, I watched Pirates of the Caribbean for the first time. (I know, I’m behind the times). The quirky pirates, budding romance, and Biblical ties with how we need blood to lift the curse put on us were enjoyable. But beyond all those, it unsettled me. Every character was morally gray. They all simply chased after their own carnal passions while trying to not step on another’s toes. 

It reminds me of the book of Judges. “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” (21:25). Even skimming through Judges tells you that the Israelites were not in a good place. It starts off with the Israelites failing to complete the conquest, which leads to them serving the Baals. You then have human sacrifice, treason between brothers, Levites worshiping idols, an orgy that rapes a girl to death, and then it basically ends in a civil war.

All of that is anarchy; lawlessness. Its spirit was well portrayed in that movie, and it’s reigning in America today. 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 says, “The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders, and with all wicked deceptions for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved.” And now, because the vast majority of our culture has refused to love the Truth, Satan has shackled our nation into lawless depravity.

But Jesus came to give us true freedom. Romans 8:2 says it this way, “For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” Satan would have you believe that there isn’t a law at all, which is a lie. There is a law. God has given us the Scriptures so that we can know it and the Holy Spirit so that we can apply it wisely. His Spirit who governs this law is a gift. “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Tim 1:7). It’s in self-control that we are free.

If we’re constantly chasing after the next pleasure of our hearts, be it an extra scoop of ice cream, one more dollar, extra sleep, or sexual gratification, we’re simply slaves to our old selves. God wants us to enjoy life within the parameters He sets. When we attempt to shed all forms of authority in order to hoard selfish indulgences, we are worshiping Satan. Aligned with Christ as our King, we no longer have to live just as our cursed bodies would suggest, but we have freedom from our old selves so that we may pursue holiness. When we’re in right standing with God, we will have peace, joy, and life. Collectively, when we choose to seek self-restraint to better the individual, we will have a free nation again.

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” 1 Peter 2:16

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“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”

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