Because Liberty Is Dear

Just two days before Washington crossed the Delaware then went on to win the Battle of Trenton, these words (from a pamphlet written by Thomas Paine) were read to the Continental troops:

“THESE are the times that try men’s souls. The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated.”

How dear is liberty to you?

Because liberty is dear to me, I will contend for the candidate who protects it not only with his rhetoric but his actions as well. No matter what the office, give me liberty minded people who know its worth, its cost, and the path to its defense. Whether it is the office of Dog Catcher or President of the United States, liberty must be understood and liberty must be cherished. Why? It serves the public good. It raises the level of any form of service to that of patriot and guardian of our God-given rights. It purifies our motives and clarifies our dreams. It is worth dying for as well as worth living for.

Liberty is a gift from God. He has designed us to live and move and have our being in it. Our liberty is what our Savior died for. Liberty is religious, liberty is spiritual and physical. Liberty is internal and external; it governs the mind and the body, our thoughts and our actions. It is civil and political, and economic. Liberty should be expressed in all I do and say. From Genesis to Revelation, God’s salvation and deliverance is to rescue us from bondage, the bondage of sin, and to bring us into liberty as children of God–to free us from sin and its affects–to change us and cause us to stand fast in the liberty for which Christ has set us free. This is why famous French historian and philosopher, Alexis de Tocqueville, who had visited America to find the source of its success, made this statement about America nearly 200 years ago:

The Americans combine the notions of Christianity and of liberty so intimately in their minds that it is impossible to make them conceive the one without the other; and with them this conviction does not spring from that barren, traditionary faith which seems to vegetate rather than to live in the soul. (Democracy in America, Chapter 17)

Our love for Christ and His liberty should thrive in our soul! For the Christian, America should be the closest thing to heaven on earth. For the unbeliever, America is like no other place on earth because of what it has historically valued and protected from its inception…liberty through justice and order.

And when liberty is abused or threatened, the lover of liberty (both Christian and not) must act, not only in his own defense but also the defense of others. Its loss is too precious, too dear, and too costly to ignore.

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)

For the astute, this position may be called “libertarian” or “liberal” (in the classic sense). But it cannot be denied that liberty is of Judeo-Christian origin. And for those who choose to ignore that fact, it certainly cannot be denied that the notion is American and naturally human. For it is “the laws of nature and nature’s God” that declare it!

When I find a candidate, for any position, who genuinely understands and articulates God-given liberty and its expression in his desired position, he will be what I am looking for in that office. Without it, we have only politicians. With it, we have patriots. Liberty–as it is emblazoned on our currency and hallowed stone, may it be so on our hearts.

America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw
Confirm thy soul in self-control, thy liberty in law

God, please bless America once again with leaders and lovers of liberty.