Chaplain Joel Britton – The Price of Freedom
The Price of Freedom
Acts 22:27-28 “Then the chief captain came, and said unto him Tell me, are thou a Roman? He said, Yea. And the chief captain answered, with a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.”
In our passage, the chief captain was about to scourge Paul, but it was unlawful for a Roman citizen to be scourged. The chief captain asked if he was a Roman citizen and Paul says yes. At this point in history, Roman citizenship could be purchased and the chief priest said that he obtained his Roman citizenship by paying a great price. Paul said I obtained my citizenship freely. However, someone had purchased and paid a high price for Paul’s freedom as well. The price of freedom is not cheap and it has never been an easy purchase.
There was a great price paid to purchase the freedoms and liberties that we enjoy today. Of course one of the greatest statements of all time given by Patrick Henry, “Give me Liberty or give me death”, was a statement of conviction. The conviction that obtaining freedom and liberty is worth the highest cost a person can pay. The signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 drafted by Thomas Jefferson was the document that declared the freedoms we enjoy today. We enjoy the freedom to choose how we live and who or what we serve. We also enjoy the Liberty to pursue a life of happiness and purpose.
Everyone that was born in the United States of America was free born to the freedom and liberty that embodies our nation. Many times we don’t think about the price it cost to live in
the Land of the Free. The cost continues to increase with each generation. American Soldiers are paying the high price for the freedom and liberties that everyone in America is enjoying today. I am continually amazed by the effort, work and service that the American Soldier gives each day. As a volunteer and without the desire to be known or rewarded our Soldiers go to bed worn out, and energetically get up the next morning to do their part in defending our freedoms. They have become part of the history of men and women who have honorably served and sacrificed for our Nations freedoms. There is not a greater group of Individuals to have been entrusted to defend the Liberty and Freedom that was declared back in 1776. Just as important and as high a price are the costs that the families pay that are faithfully serving at home. The sacrifice on the home front doesn’t go unnoticed.
Let us also remember the freedom that comes from knowing Christ. As an Army Chaplain, I have been called by God and have the total freedom to share the Gospel message. This message of freedom that comes through Christ was purchased at a greater price. Therefore, Paul said in Galatians 5:1 “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” We can’t even fathom giving up the freedom and liberty we enjoy in America. However, we continually give up the freedoms and liberties we enjoy In Christ. There is liberty and freedom to love, serve and support God and each other. We don’t have to be in bondage to depression, bitterness or anger. Come to Christ and stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ can make you free…
Grace From Above!
Airborne!
CH (CPT) Joel Britton
