The Dominican Restoration War

Throughout all of history different peoples from different nations have fought for a common cause, freedom. From the Israelites and their freedom from Egypt and Nebuchadnezzar, to the Indians of the new world and their freedom from colonialism, to the English and their freedom from religious oppression, to the Africans from their freedom from slavery, and so on and so forth. Many a people have fought for personal freedom, for freedom of speech and freedom of thought, for independence as a nation.

Today in my country we celebrate a special day, not our independence day (which is celebrated on February 27th) but our restoration day. One hundred and forty five years to this day a group of people

"under the leadership of one Gregorio Luperón made a daring raid on the capital Santo Domingo raised the Dominican flag on the Capotillo hill. This action, known as El grito de Capotillo, was the beginning of a war lasting until 1865." (1)

Why a restoration?

In 1861 general Pedro Santana asked Spain to retake control of the country, after a period of only 17 years of independence. Spain, which had not come to terms with the loss of its American colonies 30 years earlier, accepted his proposal and made the country a colony again. (1)

After 17 years of independence we were colonized once more by the Spanish people, whom we had already been freed from once one 27th of February, in 1844. This resulting in the degradation of our country and a monetary crisis. So the dominicans backed by the Haitian territory armed themselves with courage and fire arms and began a war with a shout that lasted 3 years, and while many died they died to gain freedom and return once more the country's independence.

But Dominican history lesson aside, there is one freedom in particular which a great deal of people give little thought to. If only they knew that slavery to this particular tyrant is the root of all their sufferings. And the reason why, once they leave this world, they will be led to a prison where there is no freedom, no rest, no joy and certainly no second chances. If they knew and understood, if their understanding was not darkened and their hearts not hardened, all of them would give up their constant fight for physical/individual/national/collective freedom and seek instead spiritual freedom, freedom from the power of Sin.

Here's a little summary on human history: "sin came into the world through one man (Adam), and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned"
God says in His Word that the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is everlasting life. Freedom from sin is only found in the One who gave up his life for a Truth he deemed worth dying for. The One who, "though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2:6-8)

This one Saviour is Jesus Christ, who lived a righteous life being tempted in all but never falling into sin(Luke 4:2), whom on that cross paid the penalty for OUR sins, died and rose again on the third day according to Scriptures(1 Cor 15:4), beating DEATH, the Power of Sin and Satan. So that all who believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life(John 3:16).

How can one be freed from sin? The Lord says that: "if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9

You do that by repenting of your sins and recognizing that Christ alone can save you because of what he accomplished on the cross, and setting your trust(faith) in Him alone.

As we celebrate this day, please meditate on these things, there is nothing more important than your eternal salvation which is worth so much more than freedom from anything else in this world. Do not wait another day!