“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”
— George Orwell, 1984
If you’ve read the above book by Mr. Orwell, you know that the premise of the book is, what might be called, “normalized evil,” where an evil system of thinking replaces a good one. Anyone in the book who chose to speak out against these “norms” was quickly and violently confronted. The prophet Isaiah warns us of such things, and his writing, unlike Orwell’s, is nonfictional.
Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who substitute darkness for light and light for darkness; Who substitute bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes And clever in their own sight! Woe to those who are heroes in drinking wine And valiant men in mixing strong drink, Who justify the wicked for a bribe, And take away the rights of the ones who are in the right!
— Isaiah 5:20-23
I’m writing this blog at dawn on the beloved American holiday, The Fourth Of July. I have mixed emotions about this day because, while I understand and embrace the idea of celebrating freedom, I wonder how far we’ve used that freedom to place ourselves in bondage.
Take a long look around you today and consider if what you see reflects the original spirit of the U. S. Constitution. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that there has been a reversal of core values. We tout our country as the global beacon and protector of freedom and yet, in many ways, we enjoy fewer freedoms than some suffering extreme poverty in, say, India. You might be thinking, “How can that be?” Easy. A person can be governmentally free but in complete bondage between their two ears, and vice versa. The freedom that Christ has set us free to enjoy has nothing to do with what country you live in, at least not fundamentally, nor the overt freedoms it maintains.
For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another…
For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” But if you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
— Galatians 5:13-16
It’s true that we Americans celebrate The Fourth Of July for good reason. Furthermore, we are indeed global leaders, so it’s fair to say that our culture is universally accepted as good by many, at least it has been over the past few hundred years. So how dare an insignificant little pastor write such a blog, huh? “The audacity,” some might add! Listen, I love my country, but I love my Lord infinitely more. I served her for the sake of freedom (something only 7.3% of living Americans have done), but I live for Christ. I speak out against my beloved homeland, from time to time, when the Spirit forces me to ponder how she’s become a prostitute to evil. You might say, “Wow, for a veteran and a citizen of America, those are pretty strong words!” I repeat:
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act.”
— George Orwell, 1984
Don’t worry, I’m not going to find a local parade today and picket it in some misguided protest. What would that accomplish? Besides, there are still a lot of things to celebrate on a day like today. I’m not disjointed from my neighbors, only increasingly sore in my own joints. I praise the fact that we still have the freedom to write blogs like this one. Hooyah! Although, the sobering truth is that there may come a time when this kind of writing could land me in jail. It happens in other countries as I write this, akin to Mr. Orwell’s famous aforementioned book. In fact, some are killed for writing such things, deemed revolutionaries and threats to peace.
I’m a patriot, but I see what I see. I’m not protesting my country’s independence on the very day we take pause as Americans to celebrate it – may it never be. I’m stirring the conscience of my brothers and sisters in Christ to see past the veil of deception that thickens with each passing year. The truth is that our beloved country, while still sweet to the tune of social freedoms, has lost her way in terms of true freedom. Some might argue that we have more freedom than ever, especially historically underrepresented minorities, and even women. I get that, but that’s not the kind of freedom I’m speaking of. I refer to a freedom that exists in the soul of a believer. When I hear the words, “Let freedom ring,” I immediately think of the only One able to truly afford it to any human being, regardless of what nation they reside in.
Our country, and the whole world it seems, is accelerating away from the only freedom that matters. Unfortunately, most people vehemently disagree with me. The fabric of evil has become so thick that most people do as Isaiah warned against, calling “evil good, and good evil” (Isaiah 5:20). Sadly, I’m the one who’s become the “sinner” against his own country. I’m the one who needs to be silenced. I’m the one whose convictions are antiquated and in need of modification. Am I a revolutionary? Not today, I pray, but who’s to say that twenty years from now this kind of communication wouldn’t get me in some real trouble, even in this country?
But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.
— Hebrews 3:13
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins