Is Freedom  really “FREE?”

Freedom is defined as “the quality or state of being free;  the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action; liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another; independence; the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken <answered with freedom>;   improper familiarity; unrestricted use <gave him the freedom of their home>; a political right”  http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/freedom

We often equate our “freedoms” via The United States Constitution. Within it contains the Bill of Rights, which consists of 10 amendments.

We are most familiar with:

The First Amendment, perhaps the best known of these freedoms and protections, prohibits the establishment of a state-supported church, requires the separation of church and state, and guarantees freedom of worship, of speech and the press, the rights of peaceable assembly, association and petition.

It now appears that the Second Amendment has become a very popular issue. “The Second Amendment protects the right to keep and bear arms. Long a controversial issue in American political, legal and social discourse, the Second Amendment has been at the heart of several Supreme Court decisions."  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Bill_of_Rights

In 2014, these “freedoms” have been interpreted to mean that you can exercise these void of any consequences or effects on others' rights.

The military makes major sacrifices to allow us to enjoy these “freedoms.”

We have freedom…but it does come with consequences…

The Bible says:
John 8:32 (NIV): Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Galatians 5:1 (NKJV): [ Freedom in Christ ] 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.

1 Corinthians 10:23 (NKJV):  [ The Believer’s Freedom ] “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but not everything is constructive.

Galatians 5:13(NKJV):  [ Life by the Spirit ] You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

1 Peter 2:16 (NKJV):  Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.

Powerful Quotes:

“As I walked out of the door toward my freedom, I knew that if I did not leave all of the anger, hatred and bitterness behind, that I would still be in prison.” – Nelson Mandela

“I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.” - Lee Greenwood

“Freedom is being who you are without anyone’s permission.”

“97% of Americans will wake up and enjoy freedom; only 3% will defend it.”

"What is freedom? Freedom is the right to choose: the right to create for oneself the alternatives of choice."  - Poet Archibald MacLeish

“You are free to choose, but you are not free from the consequences of your choice.”

“Freedom comes not from resisting truth, but from applying it.” - D. Todd Christofferson

“I always wonder why birds stay in the same place when they can fly anywhere in the earth. Then I ask myself the same question.” – Harun Yahya

Freedom is a privilege that we should respect. It is something that we should be very responsible with and thankful to God for…