Jesus then said to the Jews who had believed in him, "If you continue in my word, you are truly my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." John 8:31–32 (RSV)
April 6, 1917, the United States entering the First World War by declaring war on Germany. Not long after that, German-speaking congregations across the country were forced to give up worship in German. Their freedom of speech was taken from them out of fear of an enemy an ocean away.
March 31, 1942, just short of four months after the Pearl Harbor attack, Americans of Japanese ancestry were ordered to register for removal to internment camps. Fear and hatred for an enemy an ocean away took from American citizens their freedom.
Generations of Africans were stolen from their homes to become slaves in the New World out of the ignorance that claimed their lives weren't as valuable.
Freedom is a fragile thing if not carefully guarded by an entire nation. History has shown that freedom can be snatched away at the barrel of a gun, the stroke of a pen, or the bigotry of a twisted mind. We should have no peace in our hearts if one person in our country is denied the fundamental freedom each citizen is entitled to receive.
Our freedom is rooted in Christ. The freedom of our neighbor is found in Him as well. In the Truth that is our Lord Jesus, sin, death, and the power of the devil no longer hold sway over us. Our freedom in Christ enables us to strive for the freedom of all.
Free in Christ, we can confront the powers and principalities that would enslave the world, exposing them for what they are. We can name the sin that would deny the freedom to have abundant life for everyone.
In Christ, there is no fear of the other. In Christ, there is no need to treat someone as less of a Child of God than ourselves. In Christ, all have been set free from sin and death. In Christ's love, we can use our freedom in Him to protect our neighbor's freedom.