Perhaps having just watched “Braveheart” I’m desirous to write about the quintessential ideal of freedom.  Not in an abstract sense, but in a real and absolute one, one that will bring me to elaborate somewhat regarding the importance of the Easter holiday.

Here are some “Braveheart” quotes:

“Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it.”  -Malcolm Wallace to his son William

“There’s a difference between us. You think the people of this country exist to provide you with position. I think your position exists to provide those people with freedom. And I go to make sure that they have it.”  -William Wallace

“Every man dies, not every man really lives.”  -William Wallace

What does it truly mean to be free?  Why is freedom so critical?

Freedom comes in many forms.  Generally when speaking about freedom our thoughts turn to our natural God-given rights.  Inherent rights.

Politicians do not grant rights.  They can only attempt to take them away.  Laws can be made, but ultimately they are only legitimate when they serve to protect all humanity in their natural rights.

Thomas Jefferson eloquently summarized this truth in the “Declaration of Independence” writing:

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”

Life:  God has given us life.  We have been placed in this sphere to have experiences, to learn between good and evil.  We should be free from threats on our lives or of violence, whether by an individual or groups of individuals.

Liberty:  Individuals should be able to pursue life as they see fit, insofar as they abide the “non-aggression principle”, in that their actions are defined as not initiating or threatening the use of any and/or all forcible interference with another individual or individual’s property.

The Pursuit of Happiness:  I think it is critical that Jefferson chose the words “pursuit of Happiness” rather than simply “Happiness”.  Jefferson understood the most basic tenet of having liberty: some will use their liberty wisely, others will not.  Success is never guaranteed when it comes to liberty, only the chance to be able to choose for yourself.

With liberty and choice come the consequences of every person’s path.  We are free to choose our desired course of action, but we don’t get to choose the consequences that naturally follow from such actions.  Every action has a consequence.  Some will succeed, others will fail.

Ultimately though, freedom begets success.  Freedom enables empowerment.  Freedom becomes creation.

On the other hand, failure (absent force or coercion) comes undone, gives way to entropy, and is ultimately left aside.

But success begets success.

This is why a truly capitalist system is superior to others.

Why is that?

(Absent coercive means) it provides goods and services that are needful, effective, efficient, utilitarian, valuable, viable, entertaining and/or that bring various form of enjoyment (to name a few) at a price the market will permit.

The most successful and affordable goods or services being provided become perpetuated, and ultimately improved and/or replaced, through the crucible of competition.

Conversely, failure is not rewarded and therefore not perpetuated.

Of course, our modern economy often doesn’t work this way.  Many who fail may be “bailed out” by hapless taxpayers.  Others whose lobbyists and lawyers dominate will also act as vampires on (the again) hapless tax serfs.

This is just speaking to an economic/political system.

But when true freedom prevails, in any system, while risky, the possibilities that freedom engenders are truly infinite.

As a Christian, I believe that God placed us on earth to learn to choose good and eschew evil.  He knew that we would make mistakes in this process.  Those mistakes (sins) would separate us spiritually from God forever; being impure, we would not be able to abide with him in his perfection.

This life is a finite period granted to us in which to act, then ultimately we all succumb to death.

For these reasons he sent his son Jesus Christ to atone for the sins of man (if they accept him as their Savior) and to overcome death through his literal resurrection from the dead.  Christ overcame death for all mankind, that we may be restored to perfected immortal bodies, and live on.  He suffered for our sins so that we may be purified and be able to abide the glory of God and progress to become like him, if we so choose.

In these ways we have been granted TRUE freedom.  Freedom to make mistakes.  The ability to overcome and be forgiven of those mistakes.  And freedom from death.  The ability to live on.  Freedom to choose our eternal destiny.  To have eternal progression.

Ultimately he wants us to become like him, to always choose good, becoming filled with pure intelligence, which is light and truth.

We are his children.  He has the power to elevate us to become like him.  But only through freedom.  Although he passionately desires for us to ultimately choose correctly (so that he may share with us all that he has), he will never force us to make correct choices.

That is the reason he placed us here on earth, the whole point of our existence, to become eternally exalted by exercising freedom and liberty in this life and the next.

Whatever opportunities are denied to us in this life, will be given in the next.

I have felt Christ’s love.  I have REALLY felt it.  For me it is UNDENIABLE.  It is PERFECT.

God will give us every possible chance to succeed eternally.  Because of his love, he gave us his perfect son.  They are the authors of our freedom.

We get to determine our own destiny, however it is only possible because as John 3:16 states:

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

That scripture gives me hope and makes me feel loved.  As Easter approaches it has been on my mind and in my heart.  I hope it resonates with you too.

And remember…

“Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it.”