Freedom part 2

I have been thinking about this post for awhile, and I am sure have posted something similar before.   But it occurs to me that there is a misunderstanding about Freedom, liberty and The American Dream, or Ideals.

It is often said, that freedom isn't free.  Most often we use this  to talk of the sacrifice and service or the members of the Armed Forces.  And yes, that is part of the meaning, but it is not the whole meaning.  Liberty and freedom are dangerous.

To be free means that one is able to make choices, and some of those choices are poor choices.   It means the right to take a risk and the responsibility to accept failure and its consequences.   The political 'right' in this country refers often to this right and its attendant responsibility.  Freedom without responsibility is not Liberty, but is License, which boils down to the giving into one's animal instincts, to live according to the whims and desires of the body and its urges and have someone else clean up the mess. that is not freedom, it is slavery, slavery to the body of flesh. This is the freedom that the current 'Left' in this country espouses.  It is a very seductive call,  the desire to have a life of ease where every whim is indulged in, every carnal desire explored and every worry handled by someone else.   Who hasn't at some point wanted that?   The problem is that it soon enough a person finds they are trapped by those desires and controlled by those who take care of all the worries.

On the other hand True Freedom, True Liberty is founded not on the wallowing in all pleasures and desires, but the freedom to seek out the best way to better oneself or those around a person.  The greatest freedom is found in Christ, through the Relationship with Jesus. Apart from that there is no freedom.

The question I think comes down to this, what is the greatest good, Safety or Liberty?
I say Liberty is the greatest good.
We can find true liberty and freedom in Christ and not only that but A properly restrained government can be a minimal impediment on liberty.  On the other hand we can never be guaranteed safety.  A lesson that was brought to our attention forcefully in Newtown CT this past month.  A civil society must balance the Liberty of the individual against the Liberty of other individuals and the smooth functioning of society.  The more people there are the more delicate that balance becomes as conflict naturally arises between even the best intentioned of people.
I think that the rules that are necessary can be argued endlessly and the line necessary between Liberty and the State will move some back and forth as times, people, and circumstances change.  But in all things we should seek to maximize Liberty as much as possible.

What are the most basic principles of Liberty? I believe the core principles are as follows.

1) The Freedom of religion.  The right to believe, or not believe and follow the tenets of that belief in ALL aspects of life.

2) The Freedom of Speech, or perhaps more accurately the freedom to communicate.

3) The Freedom to enjoy the fruits of one's own labor.

4) The Freedom to defend one's self and ones family and property against illegal and immoral taking.  This ties into the the right to the fruits of one's own labor.

5) The Freedom to Live.   This perhaps is the most fundamental.  We are unique creations of The Lord. There is no right to destroy that which The Lord has given life.

Of course, these freedoms, These rights also come with a responsibility. When used wrongly and abused these freedoms cause harm to those around us.   The freedoms are not a license to do anything that comes to mind.

Thank you for bearing with me.  I know I can ramble at times in my writing.