Freedom and the Legacy of Sacrifice
I missed the opportunity to share my “one cent” among the many who spoke in support of the resolution to name a park Filipino American Veterans Park, which the Chula Vista City Council passed recently, after about three hours of deliberation. I had wanted to say that I am who I am because of the sacrifices of my parents—especially my father’s love for freedom. He was a Prisoner of War who survived the infamous Bataan Death March, which was forcibly carried out by Japanese soldiers after the fall of Bataan during World War II.
This weekend, we intentionally remember with deep respect and honor the men and women in uniform, both retired and active, for the sacrifices, pain, and losses they and their families have endured in the line of duty as guardians of the freedom we all enjoy. We are proud of those who have served and are still serving among our members at the San Diego Filipino-American SDA Church. Let us continue to pray for their health and safety, especially for those who place their lives in danger in different parts of the world because they believe in the cause of freedom.
Freedom is both a privilege and a responsibility. It has been said that “freedom extends only to the tip of your nose”—meaning, the moment your freedom infringes on another’s, it ceases to be freedom. This truth reveals the necessity of laws established by society to preserve both order and liberty. It is no different from the Ten Commandments given by God to the Israelites, as recorded in Exodus 20 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5. These divine laws were given as a wall of protection for our lives and communities. As long as people live by the principles of God’s law, everyone remains free to pursue their goals and happiness. But when one chooses to break the law, that person forfeits their freedom and must face the consequences of their actions.
Jesus affirmed the continuing validity of the Moral Law when He declared in Matthew 5:17, “Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill.” As we honor those who fought for our earthly freedom, let us also remember the One who gave His life to secure our eternal freedom. In Him, justice and mercy meet perfectly, restoring the law, order, and peace that sin had broken—Pastor Lim.
