"Give me Liberty, or give me Death!"

This quote popped into my head earlier today and I found it to be very profound. This phrase originates from Patrick Henry’s speech to the Virginia Convention on March 23, 1775. It is of most historians’ opinion that this speech was one that helped convince the Virginia House of Burgesses to pass a resolution sending Virginia troops to the Revolutionary War. Obviously we would go on to win the Revolutionary War and bask in the many freedoms this country guarantees us by the Bill of Rights. Henry was willing to die for nothing less than freedom, therefore breaking free of bondage and tyranny.

• Liberty is 1: the quality or state of being free: a: the power to do as one pleases b: freedom from physical restraint c: freedom from arbitrary or despotic control d: the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges e: the power of choice.

Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

This statement takes a whole new meaning when it is juxtaposed by the freedom that comes in Christ. As we travel any path: high school temptations, college graduate indecision, expecting father, divorced mother of two, you name it our paths are riddled with battles. Battles could include things we find ourselves “slave” to: internet pornography, arrogance, adultery, etc. In Revelations chapters 17-20 you can read about the many battles that are to come.

These battles are faced by everyone on a weekly, daily, minute by minute frequency, but the neat thing to consider is the battle has already been won (Revelation 20:10 “And the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of burning sulfur, where the beast and the false prophet had been thrown. They will be tormented day and night for ever and ever”). If these battles are lost without Christ than we are left to death, (“For the wages of sin is death…” Romans 6:23a), but liberty or freedom can be found in Christ, (“…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23b).

Christ died and through His death, we can become liberated. Freedom is at hand, we only have to choose to accept it. The grave could not hold Him, so three days later Christ rose and ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of Father God interceding for you and I (ie. victory in Rev. 20:10).

Henry one of the most influential advocates of the American Revolution eventually would see freedom. Christ brings freedom to those “…who are weary and burdened…” He …”will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

Liberty or Death?

God Bless.