As “black history” month concludes, I am reminded of one of the greatest demonstrations for human freedom in the history of mankind. So, I take some themes from the famous I have a dream speech by Martin Luther King, Jr. to frame what happened Over 2000 years ago. A great individual, in whose symbolic shadow we stand today, knew exactly what was needed for redemption and satisfaction of our Creator. This momentous decree came as a great beacon light of hope to every human being who had been seared in the flames of good and evil. It came as a joyous daybreak to end the dark days of captivity and bondage from sin.
But, 2000 years later, the human race is still not free. Today, the life of those enslaved to their various causes is still sadly crippled by the chains of their ways, the whoredoms of greed, lust, adultery, fornication, and violence. 2000 years later, many lives are on an island of poverty because of the lie of the survival of the fittest mentality. 2000 years later, the human race is still languishing in the corners of every individual society around the world and finds no comfort in the offerings and philosophies of men. So, we are at a point now in human history to address our shameful condition.
When the God of the universe and forerunners of our history wrote things like the words of scripture over 1500 years, 40 different authors, and several different continents with the declaration of how to be really free, they were signing a promissory note to which every human being could granted access and become a heir. This note was a promise that all men, of every nation, kindred, tongue, and tribe could be guaranteed the unalienable rights of eternal life, liberty, and holiness.
It is sad commentary today, that those who have been entrusted to carry on this declaration has defaulted on this promissory note insofar as heirs of those who would have a right to the promise. Instead of honoring this sacred obligation, certain claims (they keep the outside of the cup clean…) have been made throughout history, distorting and keeping the truth from the people, and only giving it to those found worthy by class, culture or stature in society. Most were given “a bad check, a check which has come back marked insufficient funds.” But today when truth rings out from the housetops, many refuse to believe that the bank of justice is bankrupt.
Now is not time to engage in the luxury of cooling off or to take the tranquilizing drug of watering down the true message of freedom only found in gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now is the time to make real, the promise of real freedom. Now is the time to rise from the dark and desolate valley of segregation of true fellowship. Now is the time to lift ourselves from the bondage and slavery that has engulfed the human condition since the beginning of time to the solid rock of eternity. Now is the time to make justice a reality for all those created in God’s image. It is fatal for us as a people to overlook the times we live in. The sweltering summer of judgement will surely come to pass until there is an invigorating autumn of freedom and peace are achieved through repentance. We will see, “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6)
Over 2000 years ago on Calvary was not an end, but a beginning. Those who hope that the Creator of our universe needed to blow off steam and will now be content will have a rude awakening if we, “His creation” continue business as usual. There will be neither rest nor tranquility in the most remote parts of the earth until every crooked way is made straight and His banquet table and house is filled with guests who He has granted citizenship rights through Salvation. The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of the world as we know it until the bright day and morning star of the righteous one emerges. But there is something for all people who stand on the warm threshold which leads into the palace of Hell. In the process of gaining our rightful place among the living, we must concede to the guilt of our wrongful deeds before a Holy God. Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for peace, righteousness or freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred which spews from the cisterns that has holes in it.
As believers we must forever conduct our struggle for redemption on the high plane of dignity and discipline as instructed by our Father in Heaven. We must not allow our protest to degenerate into physical violence. Because it is written “A soft answer turns away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger. The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:1) The new militancy of pride, covetousness, blasphemers, and disobedience, which has engulfed our society and world today, must not lead us to division, for many must come to realize that their destiny can be tied up with our destiny. They can come to realize that their freedom can be inextricably bound to our freedom and that we should not walk alone. We are called to be “One Body.”
As we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back. We can never be satisfied as the plight of the human race spirals down the broad road which leads to destruction. We will not be satisfied until justice rolls down like waters and righteousness like a mighty stream.
Let us be mindful that some will come out of great trials and tribulations. Some of you have come fresh from perils of adultery, fornication and deceit. Some of you have come from areas where your quest for freedom left you battered by the storms of persecution and staggered by the winds of discriminatory brutality. We must remember that we all have been veterans of suffering, because of sin. Continue to work with the faith given to us, that through suffering we can learn obedience and through obedience we can find redemption!
We no longer must wallow in the valley of despair. I say to you friends, even though there are the difficulties of today, we still have faith and hope. It is faith and hope that is deeply rooted in our human history. It is “faith that is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1)
We can have faith and hope that one day again, every crooked way will be made straight, the righteous will shine forever, the sick will be made whole, the lame would walk, the deaf would hear, the dead would rise again in glory, and the Lord of Hosts will wipe away every tear and there will be healing for every nation! Hold these truths to be sure. As Martin Luther King said in his famous “I have a dream” speech.
I say to you have Faith and hope that one day all those who come to a saving knowledge of the truth will look to Jesus the one who changed history and gave us access to the Father. I have faith and hope that every word spoken to fallen men would fall on good soil, take root and bear fruit to the glory of God. I have faith and hope that as Martin Luther King said “…every valley shall be exalted, every hill and mountain shall be made low, the rough places will be made plain, and the crooked places will be made straight, and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all shall see it together.” This is our hope.
With this faith, hewn out of the mountain of despair, was a stone of hope. With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of nations of fallen men into a beautiful symphony of heavenly citizenship. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together, to stand up for real freedom together, knowing that we will receive a reward in glory.
I have faith and hope that the day will come, when the One who was from the beginning His name is Jesus will return for His bride. For those who have accepted His grace and mercy, who have chosen to get from under the unpardonable sentence given on this life and this world. For that day when the redeemed of every tribe, tongue, kindred and nation which no one can number stand before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes and palms in their hands saying, Salvation to our God which sits upon the throne, and unto the Lamb be honor, glory, and majesty forever and ever.
So, let real freedom, only found in Jesus ring from every pulpit, from every believer, who fully trusts in God the Father and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. It is only when this is realized and accepted that men can be free from the bondage of his ways, from the tyranny of war, and from the false peace that shall come upon the face of the earth. Then and only then through faith and hope in Jesus Christ can the famous statement made on the steps of Washington DC in 1963 be realized “Free at last! free at last! thank God Almighty, we are free at last