Setting the Captive Free

As we celebrate Independence Day, I am reminded of the freedoms that the Founders of our nation put into the constitution.

Thomas Jefferson wrote, “The will of the people is the only legitimate foundation of any government, and to protect its free expression should be our first object.”

A few years ago, the right of religious freedom was hanging in the balances for a remote group of people in Papua New Guinea. Missionaries had been teaching the gospel to the Dinangat people, but they were being opposed by a group of religious leaders from another village. A delegation from another Dinangat village was attempting to remove the missionary team from the area. As a result of this threat PNG police officials flew into this remote location to settle the dispute.

The delegation from the antagonistic village arrived at the airstrip as the plane carrying the PNG police was landing. The police immediately took control of the situation. The delegation was very surprised to see them and right away said that they intended no harm. The religious leaders were given the opportunity to make their accusation and demands before the floor was given to the Dinangat believers.

The police spokesman repeatedly declared that Papua New Guinea is a free country, where freedom of religion and freedom of speech are honored and absolutely cannot be denied to anyone, citizen or non-citizen. He emphasized that the missionaries had every right to be in the village and the people had every right to listen to the teaching.

About 120 Dinangats were there to testify of how God had changed their lives. Hand after hand went up from people wanting to testify but the police spokesman finally had to put an end to it. Testimony after testimony came out as believers stepped up to tell how their eyes had been opened by the hearing of the Word in their own language. Some of those giving testimony were new believers from another village who were seen running over the mountains in the morning to be there in support of the missionaries.

This event reminds me of the account found in John 8:30-32: “As He spoke these words, many believed in Him. Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.’”

Only the Word of God can truly set people free.

Jesus said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed (Lk. 4:18).”

The gospel message came to the Dinangat people of Papua New Guinea as missionaries proclaimed the liberty that can be found in Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that God blessed me with a small part in training those missionaries a few years ago at the Missionary Training Center. I am also thankful for all those who have supported me with their prayers and financial gifts making it possible for folks like the Dinangat people of Papua New Guinea to hear the good news of Jesus.

Bob

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Let Freedom Ring

The U.S. Constitution: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.”

 

Billy Graham: “The framers of our Constitution meant we were to have freedom of religion, not freedom from religion.”

 

Ronald Reagan: “Freedom prospers when religion is vibrant and the rule of law under God is acknowledged”

 

James Madison: “I believe there are more instances of the abridgment of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpations.”