Free the oppressed

The green berets have a special motto, de oppresso liber. It’s a latin phrase, featured on their berets, patches, and some of their other gear.

It means this:

Free the oppressed.

Turns out, this is a central part of our mission, as well— as followers of Jesus.

Notice what the Old Testament says about this in Isaiah 58:6-7 (KJV)—

Is not this the fast that I have chosen? to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke? Is it not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?

Notably, Isaiah wrote to a group of people— in the context of this verse— who wanted to see God’s presence & power breakthrough.

They had been attending their religious services.

They were actively tithing and giving.

They were fasting and praying.

But God preferred them to work on behalf of the oppressed.

Take a look at Jesus’ first recorded sermon (Luke 4:18-19 AMP)—

The Spirit of the Lord [is] upon Me, because He has anointed Me [the Anointed One, the Messiah] to preach the good news (the Gospel) to the poor; He has sent Me to announce release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to send forth as delivered those who are oppressed [who are downtrodden, bruised, crushed, and broken down by calamity], to proclaim the accepted and acceptable year of the Lord [the day when salvation and the free favors of God profusely abound].

The Gospel isn’t just good news because it “sounds good.” The Gospel is good news because it breaks chains.

It helps people overcome social injustice.

It empowers people to overcome addictions.

It brings freedom.

And part of our mission is that we get to participate.