Give Me Liberty

Written by Sherri Bergmann

Give Me Liberty, or Give Me Death!

There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable--and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come.
 
It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace -- but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!— Patrick Henry, March 23, 1775

Conflicts and battles seem to be increasing all around us. Inside of us, as well as outside–in our family, schools, communities, country and around the world.

Battles on the Homeland
Since war broke out when Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups attacked Israel in October 2023, increasing conflicts and attacks have arisen in our country in various places and on college campuses and around the world.  

Religious Persecution
Various religions and cultures are under attack. The United States was founded on the principle of freedom of religion, but clashes between religious and cultural beliefs are threatening this freedom.

Personal battles
We all have various personal battles. A growing battle in our world today is drug addiction. For some children, they start to wither before they can find out how to live. They reach adulthood addicted, broken, suicidal, homeless, or worse.

According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids are responsible for approximately 70% of lives lost, while methamphetamine and other synthetic stimulants are responsible for approximately 30% of deaths. Fentanyl is the nation’s greatest and most urgent drug threat.¹

Another battle that damages families is divorce. It is especially destructive when spouses abandon their love for each other under unbiblical circumstances. As couples fight, the entire family suffers, and causes a mental and spiritual decline that leaves everyone involved standing on a crumbling foundation. This affects lives at home, in the workplace, in the schools and echoes outward.

The seemingly countless list goes on in the increasing number of battles we face today, and daily. What Patrick Henry pleaded still resounds – to obtain freedom from what destroys us. It all boils down to fighting the evil that threatens to bind us in chains. He encouraged the House of Representatives to fight the British, the oppressors, and stated that victory belongs to the “vigilant, the active, the brave”. A formula that still holds true when fighting for real freedom.

Vigilant – to be on the watch, always, to avoid danger. You can recognize Satan’s snare when the temptation rushes through your body to do what you know is wrong, yet a tingling feeling warns you not to cross the line.
 
Active – arm yourself to resist crossing the line and strengthen yourself to be strong.
 
Brave – don’t submit to the world’s standards out of fear of being rejected. Let your bigger concern be separation from Christ. Be brave to stand against any obstacle that prevents you from growing closer to Christ, otherwise “There is no retreat but in submission and slavery!”
 
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” —Ephesians 6:12-27

“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.” —Galatians 5:1

“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. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’.” —Galatians 5:13-14

“But live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as God’s slaves.” —Peter 2:16

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” —Romans 6:22

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” —John 8:32

That’s it in a nutshell. In Christ, you are free. You won’t be burdened by the weight that comes with a life of cheating, crime, addiction, hate and running, constantly looking over your back.

Jesus said, “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” —Matthew 11:30

"The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion." —Proverbs 28:1

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” —Romans 8:1-4

Patrick Henry’s passionate call to battle for freedom is the same passion we have as Christians – not to retreat and submit to the world, and what separates us from Christ – because in Christ we have true freedom.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” —John 14:6