Jul 4, 2018 Celebrating the Freedom of Love

Happy Independence Day to all my fellow Americans!

Today, as we celebrate the freedom that we enjoy in this amazing country, I’m thinking of all the things liberty affords us and why it is such a valuable thing.

Every week, when I openly attend church and worship the way I choose, with no repercussions, I know why freedom is important.

When I can speak about and share my faith freely, with anybody who will listen, without threat of government retribution, I’m thankful for my freedom.

The constitutional protection from unlawful search and seizure ensures that Bibles or other religious materials I want to possess will not be forcefully taken from meÑwhat a blessing.

Sometimes, as an American, it’s easy to take my liberty for granted.

Until the first time I served overseas in the mission field, I didn’t realize how uniquely free we are in the USA. Few other countries around the world are as socially welcoming to our Christian faith. But even more than thatÑmany governments are actively hostile to those who would practice and share their faith.

Experiencing the joy of freedom is exactly why mission evangelism is important to me. Because, even if governments protest or punish, they cannot coerce away our God-given freedom to love.

And even in the face of arbitrarily imposed human restrictions, our inbuilt freewill, placed in us by God, is the only environment that can foster love. Love cannot be demanded by people or governmentsÑor even by the God who created us!

No matter what countries we go to in order to preach the gospel, no matter what kinds of restrictions and government threats face us, we know that we were created to be free. We have the ability to love and be loved and sharing that with the world is our privilege and duty, as Christians.

Galatians 5:13 says, For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

This is what I intended to do! If my freedom in America doesn’t last this lifetime, I know God’s love will go on, shining through me to my fellow men.

Emily Weber
QHM Marketing