I still have these faint memories of going to the airport with my mother to say farewell to her brother, who had been drafted and was leaving for Vietnam. I can still see my mother and uncle sitting quietly, saying not a word, as last preparations were being made to the plane on which these soldiers would embark. Though a child at the time, I knew something was terribly wrong. I could feel the fear and tension that embraced both of them. A brother and sister were faced with an uncertain future. Would they ever see each other again?

It was the close of the 1960s. Neil Armstrong and Edward Aldrin had just landed on the moon. Michael Collins orbited the moon high above, July 20, 1969. In January of that same year, Richard M. Nixon took office as President while the United States was still knee deep in the Vietnam War. For whatever political reason, our country had drafted thousands of young men in a war which would cost $165 billion. There would be 303,700 US military personnel wounded and another 57,605 would lose their life. It would be the longest and most expensive war the United States would ever wage, from 1961-1975.

Since then, many years have passed. We now face another war on terrorism being fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. Considering it and those in times past, one thing remains the same: blood is still being shed so that others and ourselves might enjoy freedom from whatever concern oppresses us. When we think about this freedom, seldom do we want to be reminded of the cost. When we think about life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, rarely do others remember the price (our loved ones) required for these special privileges. I suppose it is much easier to flip the channel from CNN to Disney or turn the page in our newspaper to the sports section. But it is not until their dear loved one leaves to Iraq that they fully understand the magnitude of the price tag placed on freedom. It is not until they are faced with the question, "Will I ever see him again?" This is when this whole thing about freedom hits home.

When we consider our Freedom From Sin and all it entails, in some ways, it is the same as our discussion on the massive price tag freedom from terrorism requires. You can never fully comprehend its value if you never study your Bible (2 Tim. 2:15-16). You can never appreciate the Lord's sacrifice if you never proclaim His death (1 Cor. 11:26). You can never understand why Jesus surrendered His life for all if you never make memory of His blood and body (1 Cor. 11:24-25). I guess, for some, it is just much easier to consider a movie about Jesus than to examine the real source of God's word, the Bible. If those outside the church ever consider freedom from sin, their mentality would probably be the same. They would first think of the cost on their mortgage than the enormous amount paid on the cruel cross of Calvary. They would probably first meditate on their financial status than on their spiritual welfare.

What will it take so others might value Jesus' blood and enjoy freedom from sin? What will be the motivating factor that finally brings them to a greater understanding of the actual cost? What will eventually penetrate the deep recess of their heart that they come in subjection to Christ? I do not know. Maybe it will be the dead in Christ raised, the Lord descending from heaven, or the trump of God (1 Thes. 4:16). But it will be too late then to enjoy FREEDOM FROM SIN