Pastor's Corner

July, 2001

Have you ever wondered how unappreciative we are with the things we possessed until they are taken away from us? We don’t take good care of our health until we are sick. We don’t cut down on salt intake until we are diagnosed with hypertension. We don’t stay away from fatty food until our cholesterol level is dangerously high. Why? We take good health for granted.

But I think the most ignored privilege we have is our freedom. We take freedom for granted, and at times, we abuse this privilege. We live in this “Free Country,” but I wonder how many people realize what it costs this country to gain Independence from Britain over 200 years ago. There were fifty-six men who signed the Declaration of Independence. Have you ever wondered who these men were and what they had to do to gain Freedom from the British? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. Eleven were merchants; nine were farmers and large plantation owners. They were men of means, well educated. They knew full well that if they signed the Declaration of Independence, they would be penalized by execution if they were captured by the British authority.

What happened to these men? Five were captured and were tortured before they died, labeled as traitors. Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. Nine fought and died from wounds or hardship of the War. Many others had lost everything they own and died in poverty. Many of their families were broken because the men had to run for their lives. They had wealth and security. Why would they do such a thing to risk everything they had? They saw something bigger than worldly security; they saw Liberty. Freedom is never free! It costs! In celebrating Independent Day this year, let’s not forget our root—a rich culture and great heritage that gives us a unique moral value as Asians, and at the same time, not to forget the men of honor who served this country and gave us so much for our liberty.

Before I sign off, it serves us well as Christians to remember that it cost Jesus’ life to set us free from the bondage of Sin. Therefore, let’s not abuse our freedom, but rather, utilize it to glorify God and to help one another. If you have yet trusted your life in Jesus, I urge you to consider Him, who can set your life free from eternal uncertainty and present worries.

Pastor Larry