FREEDOM
“It is for freedom that Christ has set us FREE!”
Galatians 5:1
“…You will know the TRUTH and the TRUTH will set you FREE!” John 8:32
FREEDOM! It’s a word that’s bandied about all too often without proper knowledge of what it really is. Freedom is not anarchy. It is not throwing off all restraints to do whatever our carnal nature is telling us to do. With freedom, comes great responsibility; responsibility to do the right things, responsibility to uphold our laws and responsibility to be productive members of society. We shouldn’t use our freedom as a license to sin, as some are in the habit of doing. Paul says, “You, my brothers were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature.” (Gal. 5:13a). Peter says, “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God.” (1Peter 2:16).
Are we doing that? Are we living as servants of God? Many in this country have turned a blind eye and a deaf ear to God. They don’t want the freedom that comes from a loving Father Who wants the best for His children. They want anarchy, and the so-called “freedom” to do whatever pleases them. “In those days Israel had no king; everyone did as they saw fit.” (Judges 21:25). This unfortunately is the state of most people today. Both Paul and Peter admonish us to, not use our freedom as an excuse to sin or to cover up evil. Are we using the dearly bought freedom of our founding fathers as a license to do whatever we want to do, as a nation?
We, as believers in Jesus Christ, should set the example. Peter says, “Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.” (1Pet. 2:11-12). We need to be the light in a dark time. We need to hold up the torch of righteousness and holiness in a nation that has forsaken the very foundations on which it was built. We need to show our fellow countrymen that God is watching the things we do and the way we live as a nation. We need to hold up the banner of freedom in Christ, the only way we can truly be free.
As we celebrate another 4th of July, let us remember why we do so. As a nation we struck out from Great Britain on our own, but not really alone. We did so under the auspices of a great and loving God Who showed the plan and path to our founding fathers. Let us remember our dear Savior and friend, Jesus Christ “…Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him…” (Heb. 12:2b-3a). Let’s tell others the Good News of salvation, through Jesus Christ, and the TRUE FREEDOM He brings!
“So, if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
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