Galatians 5:1
“For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.”
Isaiah 61:1
“The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me To bring good news to the afflicted; He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to captives And freedom to prisoners;”
Romans 8:1-2
“Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.”
Many images come to mind when I contemplate what freedom means. Imagery of a soldier, willingly choosing to fight to keep our land free from danger; thoughts of our founding fathers, tirelessly making sure our constitution protected our rights and freedoms; and an innocent God-man, choosing to lay down His life to purchase our freedom.
Freedom is not cheap. It is the most expensive gift someone can give and receive. Yet after it has been received it is often quickly forgotten what sacrifice was given to provide such a gift. We can begin to deviate from what that freedom really was intended for if we are not mindful. Freedom FROM sin, not freedom FOR sin. Freedom to live in freedom, but not to use that freedom to infringe on other people’s freedoms.
As we remember the hard fought for freedom in the United States of America – won on the backs of those who laid down their lives so we could become a new nation, may we never forget the chief purpose – to be able to worship freely. They saw a bigger purpose for our nation than just the American Dream of living lavishly. We can still be a lamp to the world if we will remember the true freedom we were meant to have in this land – freedom to worship our living God. We cannot let this hard-fought-for freedom die so easily.
Political correctness threatens to stifle our consciences and silence true Christianity, replacing it with dead religion that offers no hope nor true freedom. In the name of freedom we are told people should have freedom of speech, yet Christians are told they cannot pray, the ten commandments are removed and a marine is disciplined for not removing her Scripture from her desk. In the name of freedom, people demand offensive cakes be made and sue the ones who will not make it, denying the freedom of choice and conscience that the bakers have. In the name of freedom, people proclaim their right to murder the unborn for their convenience, while the voices of those who cannot speak for themselves are silenced forever.
Our freedom is being taken from us little by little. Do we perceive it?
We can still be a source of light to the nations if we do not forget our heritage. Christ is the hope of all the nations and the only One Who really sets us free.
The ultimate freedom is the freedom from sin. Freedom from bitterness. Freedom to choose righteousness. Freedom to love your enemies. Unlike the freedom this world affords, the freedom Christ purchased is forever. May true freedom reign in our hearts and our land. To God be the glory!
Lord, thank You for setting my heart free twenty-seven years ago – I will never be the same. Heal our land, LORD! Capture our hearts again and revive our hearts for you, Jesus. Have mercy on our sins and make this nation Yours!