::ICOC EASTERN AFRICAN CHURCHES - GOOD NEWS BUJUMBURA::

CELEBRATING FREEDOM
POSTED ON 15 DECEMBER 2009
Nairobi, Kenya

Reported by Rayola Osanya-Nyyneque

“You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.” Romans 6:22

At this time that we mark Jamhuri Day we celebrate our freedom and independence as a republic.

We think of great people who paid the price of sacrifice to deliver to the people of our nation the freedom that we enjoy today: Jomo Kenyatta, Dedan Kimathi, Oginga Odinga, Paul Ngei, Pio Gama Pinto, Ronald Ngala and Harry Thuku are just a few prominent names from the freedom struggle. So many others, whose names are not as renowned as their exploits are heroic, paid the ultimate price for Kenya’s uhuru.

Across the globe and across the generations, names such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela are enduring monuments of the legacy of these men as fighters for freedom, justice and equality.

While social justice and political sovereignty have been advanced by heralded men and women, the pages of the bible bear the names of fiery freedom fighters of fearsome fortitude who have advanced spiritual freedom: Moses, Joshua, John the Baptist and Paul to name a few. And one name stands above them all—even when hanging on the cross: Jesus, the Christ.

Another name should be positioned alongside these—your name. For all of us have the same Spirit that has filled us, the same power to walk by and the same freedom to proclaim.

The Ancient Greek historian and author, Thucydides, said, “ The secret of happiness is freedom. The secret of freedom is courage,” and the Roman philosopher Seneca, “ He who is brave is free.” How are you using the freedom that you have in Christ? Are you using it heroically? Are you combining your freedom with faith? Are you a freedom fighter?
We have the:

FREEDOM TO OVERCOME

1 Peter 2:16

“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”
We are free to make our own plans and decisions. No-one can make you do or decide anything that you do not choose to. You are free. Sadly, though, in some cases we use our freedom to indulge the sinful nature. Then, we use our freedom to hide that sin and pretend that everything is alright.

Question: Is there sin that you need help in dealing with which you are concealing? Use your freedom to initiate help and guidance to overcome in your areas of weakness. Then, you will be free indeed!

FREEDOM TO SERVE

1 Peter 2:16

“Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.”

Live not as one who sins but as one who serves.

Question: As a single brother, are you serving the sisters by taking them and encouraging them?

Question: As a single sister, are you serving the brothers by encouraging them and thanking them when they take you out?

Question: As a husband/wife, do you serve your spouse?

Question: Do you serve your parents and family members? Parents, do you serve your children?

Question: Do you actively look around for needs in the church that you can help meet? Are you serving the church?

Question: As a leader in the church, do you serve those you lead?

Question: Are you serving the needy? There are many ways to do this? If your professional work involves programmes to the needy, do you only perform your professional obligation and your career activities or do you look for ways to go beyond your job description and give your heart to the oppressed?

Question: Do you serve non-disciples? It is not enough to simply aim to invite them to events and study the bible with them. Serve them. What are various ways in which you can serve the non-disciples whom you are reaching out to?

As the apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22, “ Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible... To those not having the law I became like one not having the law …, so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some.”

Paul served both unbelievers and weak believers. Does this describe your life?

Use your freedom to give yourself to others. That’s what all great freedom fighters do.

FREEDOM TO LEARN FROM OTHERS

As disciples our freedom comes not so much with independence, as is the case with the governance of nations, but with an element of interdependence. We need each other. We need the example, encouragement and exhortation of others.

2 Corinthians 10:8,9

“For even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than pulling you down, I will not be ashamed of it. I do not want to seem to be trying to frighten you with my letters.”

Disciples are in our lives to use their freedom not to frighten us but to fortify us.

Question: Do you isolate yourself or do you spend quality time regularly with disciples? Do you open up to initiate receiving direction, guidance, mentoring and correction? It is healthy, building and leads to growth.

Free at last, Freedom that lasts

On 12 December 1963, Jomo Kenyatta declared, "It is with great pride and pleasure that I receive these constitutional instruments today as embodiment of Kenya's freedom. This is the greatest day in Kenya's history."

Today, we each can declare, “It is with great pride and pleasure that I receive these spiritual instruments today as embodiment of my freedom. This is the greatest day in my history.” Then, as the flag of Kenya was raised on that great day that Kenyatta uttered those words, see Jesus who first was raised on the cross, then raised from the dead, and then raised to the right hand of the throne of God.

And with the zeal to make your freedom count for the freedom of others and the glory of God, declare, as did Martin Luther King Jr. in one of the last public speeches of his life, “Free at last, free at last, thank God Almighty we are free at last!