The Price of Freedom

“For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.”—Philippians 1:21 NASB

In 480 BC, a huge Persian army confronted a relatively small force of Greeks at Thermopylae in southeastern Greece. Persia expected little opposition, but these Greeks surprised them with a dedication that Persian King Xerxes could not understand.

What had happened? Historian Paul Cartledge described how the Spartans were fighting for ideals dearer than life itself. What drove them? The idea of freedom. This commitment astonished Xerxes. In fact, his aides had to explain why freedom was so important.

Although the Greeks technically lost the battle, their efforts laid the groundwork for later victories. The Spartans who fought at Thermopylae provide a model of a people committed to freedom. Freedom really isn’t free, but it requires people who will stand and fight for what they believe.

Over the centuries, many peoples and nations have waged campaigns to achieve freedom—freedom from repression, freedom to vote, freedom to decide their future, and freedom to live according to their own beliefs.

This is the kind of commitment God wants us to have about our faith. Like Paul, we’re called to give up everything to serve Him. Commit everything to Jesus. Nothing else really matters except living for Him.

What kind of commitment do you have? Declare you will live for Him without reservation. Follow and serve Jesus.

Reflection Question: Journal about your commitment to the Gospel.