Hoisting a Flag for Freedom - Galatians 5:1

Most of you know, I was born in Hong Kong when Hong Kong was still a part of Britain.  I guess you can say that I was a British citizen for 3 months before coming to the United States.

Because I was born in Hong Kong, I do have a special tie to both Chinese culture as well as British culture.

There are a lot of things I like about the UK.

• I like the Beatles and most all British music.
• I like the movies and TV shows (James Bond, Mr. Bean, Doctor Who).
• I like the long history it has, like the Medieval times, wars, marriages to gain power, Stonehenge, the interesting lineage of royalty, and UK taking over so much land around the world.
• I enjoy British style tea.
• I like to watch soccer, although I am more of a fair-weather watcher.  Yeah, all I know is Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, and maybe a few others I have seen my overseas friend cheer for.
• I like a lot of books from the Victorian era.  

Don't get me wrong.  I also like Chinese culture. I mean, I am Chinese...

Just recently, I bought a Hong Kong British flag.  It looks like this.

Hong Kong British Flag (1959-1997)

My dad asked, "Why did you buy the old flag?  That is not Hong Kong's flag now!"
Okay, dad, I know, I know.  This is not the current flag.  Which looks like this...

Hong Kong Flag (1997-present) : Showcasing the Hong Kong Flower

But I explained, "Dad, when I was born, Hong Kong was an British Overseas Colony.  I feel more of a connection to this flag than the current flag."

I explained further that to most Hong Kongers who remember British Hong Kong, this flag is a sign of democracy.  Freedom.

My dad said, "Oh..."  (Lately, I have been voicing my opinions more boldly, especially when it comes to international politics.  I think he is taken aback by my passion for international news.  Thanks, Dad, for teaching me to read the newspaper and made me more aware of international affairs.)

Freedom

U.S. Flag

In living in the United States for a majority of my life, I have seen freedom in many ways.  Freedom, to me, is a privilege.  Freedom was given to us, that we're not under a dictator or a government that is constricting our freedom.  We should, in wisdom, use our freedom, but not abuse our freedom.  Examples of freedom is that we can say something about our government.  Or we can worship however we want.  Or we can say anything in media or press.

Many people I see do stupid things everyday.  I asked myself, "Why are they doing stupid things?  Don't they know we have people out there who fought for our freedom?"  Why do people paint graffiti (freedom of expression or tacky artwork)?  Or why do people go rob banks?  Why do people steal or kill?

So, although we have these freedoms, people still stupid things and abuse the freedom.

To take it to another level, Christ has given us a freedom beyond our imaginations.  Freedom, to me in this content, is a gift.  Just like anything with God, He didn't have to give us anything as we have fallen before.  But Galatians 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."

Those who call themselves Christians, why do some of us abuse this gift?  Once you realized how much God loves you, and love us, and has sacrifice His son to give us this freedom from the slavery of sin, you soon realize how you should respond.  

On my last trip to Hong Kong, I watched a program segment on the right for freedom of speech.  It was a bit surreal for me when a local radio personality was arguing that the people of Hong Kong should follow Chinese rule in regulating radio speech (less opinions).  Others said it is against the current rule of "One country, two systems" where although under the Chinese government as one, Hong Kong still keeps democracy for 50 years after 1997.  (In other words, age out the generation who were under British rule...).  I never been in a country that would argue about something this simple.  To me, we normally have the freedom to argue whatever we want.  Here, they are arguing the right to simply speak out.