Freedom. What is the cost of freedom? Why do people die because of it?
Recently, and until this present time, Hong Kong youth are fighting and struggling for their freedom: freedom to express what they want, freedom to choose their own leader, freedom from Chinese rules, and many other freedom demands. They are willing and ready to die for the sake of these freedoms. But are these worthy to exchange with their life?
During the American Revolution, Patrick Henry said, “Give me liberty or give me death!” The same is the shouting cry of Hong Kong protesters. But again, is it more valuable than their life?
Too much liberty destroys life. Even in the Bible, God emphasized that man should be dependent to Him. Even though He has given us free will, it does not mean that we do whatever we want. It should be balanced and fit to its content.
I am not against the Hong Kong protesters but they have to discern that too much freedom is not good. In order to be fully free, we have to consider all the angles of the circumstances. We should consider that everything we do affects us for whatever we sow, we reap.
Unless we want to be free from our Creator, we should let God be in control of everything in this life. In Romans 13:1, Paul wrote, “Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.”
We should be in God’s side if we want full freedom. Eventually, Jesus had promised in John 8:36. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”
Jose Rizal fought for Filipino freedom and he died for it. Furthermore, his strategy coined the saying, “The pen is mightier than the sword.” Will we see another Jose Rizal in this generation? — ROSE MARIE CANUTO SISON, Baguio City
September 23, 2023