April 18, 2003 -- It started on March 19, 2003 after Saddam Hussein of Iraq refused to heed President Bush's ultimatum to surrender and disarm. The military campaign slogan became known as "Operation Iraqi Freedom." It was the rallying cry -- the sounding of trumpets -- the scream of sirens heard endlessly through mass media outlets.
The process continues at this point in time and then the initiation of plans to put in place a stable and just government in Iraq with the United States having considerable input and influence in whatever takes place over the next number of weeks, months, and possibly years. This, in spite of denials to the contrary, will involve what happens in oil production and distribution since Iraq sits atop at least 11 percent of the world's confirmed oil reserves, and is the only country having the potential to go head to head with Saudi Arabia in oil production! To say the least, this will send shock waves through OPEC!
But as we continue to be assailed with the slogan "Operation Iraqi Freedom" and all the suggested benefits which will result, we should soberly remind ourselves of an urgent need for another campaign which ought to be labeled "Operation USA Freedom!"
Now don't get a quizzical expression on your face and ask, "What in the world is this -- what's "Operation USA Freedom?" We're a free nation -- we have liberty and justice for all, do we not?" Well, not exactly -- there is a serious fracture in the foundation of this nation which prides itself on claiming to be a "nation under God," that we have "liberty and justice for all," and our Declaration of Independence which mentions the belief that all persons are endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights such as the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."
It's quite simple really -- we need action taken to set people of all ages free from a number of things in the United States that are destructive and life threatening to individuals, families, communities, and the entire country!
First, there are multitudes which are in bondage to a world view that focuses on the self. Through the influence of popular personalities, many of whom are high profile in print, radio, and TV media, we are encouraged to concentrate on ourselves and set goals that will exalt and satisfy the ego! And while there may be some mention made along the way about consideration for others, the main issue is always "looking out for #1!" The popular expression verifying this fact is that of "developing a sense of high self esteem" -- that is, strive to "feel good about yourself."
Since psychologists and psychiatrists are considered the ultimate authorities on human behavior in United States society and are the persons who are mainly consulted and/or interviewed on issues related to behavior patterns, the trait in unregenerate human nature to be very self centered is continually fed and encouraged. It is seen in individual as well as collective experience in every facet of U.S. culture.
Because of the "keystone" of self being so prominent in U.S. society there are very tragic consequences taking place on a daily basis as masses of people zealously pursue in a wide variety of ways those experiences which they feel will bring about instant gratification to the self with its insatiable appetite!
Second, let's face up to the number one thing that is destroying thousands of persons every week in this country. Saddam Hussein was a very brutal and cruel person and he headed up a regime that caused extensive pain, suffering, and death to many Iraqi citizens each year. In the U.S.A. there are thousands of persons brutally mutilated and murdered each week -- they are unborn children -- each one being formed by God in his/her mother's womb for a special purpose in God's master plan -- uh, you might want to review in extensive detail the facts reported in Psalm 139 on this subject.
Unborn Children Brutally
Mutilated & Murdered in USA
since USA started "liberating" Iraq
from brutality of Saddam Hussein
March 19 2003
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Because of the widespread acceptance of the view that "Sex is fun with anyone (or more than one anyone at the same time) anywhere at anytime!" there are a lot of pregnancies which result and these are considered to be most inconvenient and unacceptable. The response is worded something like this -- "A baby will mess up my self centered lifestyle, therefore I'll destroy and get rid of it before it's born -- after all, it is my 'constitutional right' to do so!" This one of the ultimate acts of selfishness and disregard for another person.
So, will you lend your voice in demanding that our elected officials, starting with the president and vice president, take aggressive action in pressing for legislation that will guarantee that all unborn children are protected from heinous acts of brutality, mutilation, and murder, and they too have the right to "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?"
Third, there are huge numbers of our citizens who are enslaved to the demons of sexual immorality and need to be liberated. Age is no respecter of persons when it comes to this bitter bondage and there are many twists and turns on the road which leads to this disaster. There is a wide range of activity here including:
Fornication
Adultery
Sodomy
Lesbianism
Incest
Sexual abuse of children
Bestiality
Movie and TV industries which glorify sexual immorality under the guise of entertainment -- a new "first" in TV "entertainment" -- total immersion in the moral cesspool with the portrayal of lesbians now kissing each other and sodomites kissing each other -- in addition to the nudity and conveying those messages which basically say it's ok to jump into bed with anyone at any time!
Established "businesses" and clubs that promote the foregoing by means of printed and audiovisual media, and the internet
It would be impossible to calculate the percentage of the U.S. population that is enslaved to sexual immorality with its deadly fruit of disease, broken relationships (family & marriage), emotional distress, and total lack of any sense of fulfillment.
Fourth, a majority of our educational institutions at every level in the developing lives of our young teach and pass along information which adds more shackles and chains to our enslavement.
Evolution in its numerous forms permeates the curriculum of a majority of schools. We are basically told that we have evolved from lower life forms and if "special creation" by a divine Being is mentioned at all, the mention is brief and in context it is presented merely as a "theory" and an unreliable one at that!
There are a few exceptions in this matter with some schools being Christian oriented and the faculty teaching the truth that the beginning of this world and the whole universe started with creative acts on the part of Almighty God Who gave simple commands and things came into existence which heretofore never had existed! The crowning achievement of all His created works resulted in the formation of human beings through whom He wants to complete a high, holy, and most wonderful purpose. The teaching of these things ultimately reveals how we experience true liberation in this life and rock solid hope for the life yet to be which lies beyond the limited things of earth and time.
Fifth, the fact of a majority of our population being enslaved and in urgent need of liberation is seen in yet another way. There is one day out of seven which is set aside to provide individuals and families an opportunity to spend time together. More important, however, is the opportunity to spend this time in a public setting in which there is the acknowledgement and worship of God Who is our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer through His Son, Jesus Christ.
But enslavement to the personal pursuit of personal pleasures, entertainment, and/or business ventures prevents the majority of U.S. from expressing the proper recognition, reverence, and submission to God's authority which the Scriptures reveal to be absolutely necessary.
Sixth, time and space do not permit the detailing of other kinds of bondage which destroy lives continuously such as enslavement to substances clearly identified as drugs, alcohol, and tobacco. There is also enslavement to a predatory way of life in which one seeks to take advantage of others by unethical, dishonest, immoral, and criminal methods. Organized crime is a glaring example but not limited to this since there are times when those in the business, corporate, and political realms have acted in predatory fashion!
Now the big question -- how can we be liberated and break free from our bondage? The answer is really quite simple. We must begin by honestly acknowledging that we are enslaved and in whatever form that enslavement exists we must confess that we stand in need of immediate deliverance.
The next step is one that many persons simply refuse to take -- we must acknowledge that Jesus Christ, and only He alone, can deliver us from our bondage. In whatever forms our individual and collective enslavement exists, Jesus summarized it simply in one all encompassing word and that word is SIN!
Listen to His statement on this:
"Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.
And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever.Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed."
-- John 8:34-36
The apostle Paul mentioned the destructive nature of sin as he quoted from the Old Testament and clearly spells out how to be liberated from enslavement to sin and be free from condemnation:
As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one; there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God. They have all gone out of the way; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes." Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. Therefore by the deeds of the law no flesh will be justified in His sight, for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
But now the righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets, even the righteousness of God which is through faith in Jesus Christ to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth to be a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.... For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. -- Romans 3:10-26; 6:23
"Operation Iraqi Freedom" may result in great political and economic change in Iraq and even the establishment of something resembling a "democratic" government, but they, nor we, nor any other people in any other nation will never be truly free until we have been liberated by the intervening power of Jesus Christ, Who commanded that we should go into all the world and teach all people about Him and His ways:
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. -- Matthew 28:18-20
In conclusion, there are many statements made by Jesus concerning His exclusive claims and certain absolute demands made upon us humans, no matter our national identity, but note a couple of these which remind us about true freedom and the need to make the most important choice we will ever make in a lifetime:
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? ...... I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life. ...... If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." -- Matthew 16:24-26; John 8:12,31,32
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Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? No! They were not at all ashamed; nor did they know how to blush. Therefore they shall fall among those who fall; at the time I punish them, they shall be cast down," says the LORD. Thus says the LORD: "Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.'
"So you shall say to them, 'This is a nation that does not obey the voice of the LORD their God nor receive correction. Truth has perished and has been cut off from their mouth.'"
Jeremiah 6:15,16; 7:28 NKJV
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April 18, 2003
by Clayton D. Harriger
Elder in Full Connection
W. PA Annual Conference
The United Methodist Church
and presently pastor of
Gipsy Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Gipsy PA
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