The Patriot

Since today, we celebrate our country’s independence. I thought it only fitting to bring you a quote dealing with freedom, and its cost.

Not only is this movie a great movie depicting our fight for independence, but this quote from the opening lines of the movie is one of my favorite quotes. It still amazes me how many mainstream movies have quotes like this in them that can so easily point us to God.

“I have long feared that my sins would return to visit me, and the cost is more than I can bear.” —from the movie The Patriot

Benjamin Martin, played by Mel Gibson, just wants to live a quiet life. He is a former military man who fought in the French Indian War. He is raising his seven children alone since his wife’s passing.

The newly formed country is on the verge of the Revolutionary War. All around him men are taking up arms and fighting for our country’s freedom from British rule. Benjamin is not interested in going to war, his uniform is stored away in a trunk and he has no desire to put it on again.

The memories of his role in the French Indian War still haunt him. The things he did then brought out a side of himself he isn’t proud of, and the guilt is eating away at him. He fears the consequences that lie ahead form him.

And so he hides on his plantation with his children in a sort of self-imposed exile. Hoping that he can protect himself and his family from whatever punishment might be coming his way.

Are there things in your past that you are ashamed of?

Do you feel like you are just waiting for God to “bring down the hammer” on you?

Have you tried to run and hide from God?

This quote rings true with many people today.
God has given us all innate knowledge of right and wrong. Every one of us knows when we have sinned. Often we, like Benjamin try to avoid dealing with the consequences of our sin, for fear we would be unable to handle it.

We are right.

The Bible says, Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death

The punishment for going against God, is death. Because sin is so ugly in God’s eyes he decreed long ago that the only way to repay a sinful act, is for blood to be shed. In the old testament the Israelites were told to sacrifice animals for sinful behavior.

But later, God decided on another way.

The rest of this verse states, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord

Jesus paid our wage. He willingly paid the wage of death for us on the cross and now we are free to live without fear of condemnation. If we are willing to accept this sacrifice as having been for us, we won’t have to live in fear of God’s punishment for what we’ve done.

When our forefathers signed the Declaration of Independence, they were signing their own death warrant. They knew by choosing to take their muskets in their hands and fight the British meant they would either be successful, or die trying. Once the ink was dry, failure was not an option. Failure would mean severe punishment from the British for their rebellion.

We were outmatched in almost every way. The odds were definitely stacked against them.

Their actions, would mean death for some, most or even all.

Although the cost is high, they knew freedom was and is still possible.

They made a choice to do it anyway.

Every year we celebrate the cost of freedom for our country. We celebrate the sacrifice that was made so we can say and do what we wish. Living in a free country is wonderful. We can go where we want, we can say what we want, we can choose our government, we can have the day off on July 4th and grill.

All because someone else fought, bled and died on our behalf.

However the freedom of our country, while a very good thing, it only lasts as long as we are alive.

What about after that? We so easily accept what they did, for us and for future generations.

And yet, like Benjamin Martin we are hiding from the one thing that will give us freedom for eternity.

Are we willing to accept the sacrifice of Jesus for our eternal freedom?

Or will we continue live in our worldly freedom fearing the cost of eternal freedom is more than you can bear?

It’s a free country, so it's
your choice.