Let Freedom Ring

    
     As we celebrate our July 4th today - our nation's Independence Day, we can't help but be thankful for all the freedoms we have in this country.  We are also thankful for all the men and women who fought and died for this country's freedom from 1776 through today.  So many men and women have given the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  In addition to those who died, there are so many who have come home disabled, never to live their lives in the same way.  Truth be told no one comes back from the savagery of war unchanged.  We must remember this - for all veterans have sacrificed for our freedom.  Freedom truly is not free.
    I know this country is not going the direction God would have it to go.  The world is becoming more and more sinful. Like Abraham once begged and prayed to God so long ago to save Sodom - we must beg and pray for God to save our country.  Prayer and the existence of the few righteous people in this country may be the only thing saving us.  We must be in continual prayer.  We must speak out when we can- take part in our governmental process when we can.  The freedoms we have in this country have been hard fought and won.  We can't forget that.  Perhaps as we reach out to others to spread the gospel we will also be helping to save our country.  Becoming a more righteous people will no doubt strengthen our nation.  We will be able to speak up together.
      Freedom in this country is vital to our spiritual survival as well.  We pray that our children and grandchildren will not have to fear persecution from outside sources just to attend a worship service or preach the real truth.  So I continue to pray for our country's freedom.  I pray that the church will survive and begin to grow and thrive once again. 
    Did you know that Paul was also concerned about freedom to spread the gospel?  Consider II Thessalonians 3:1-2:
" Finally brethren pray for us that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you.  And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith."   It is important that we are able to preach the truth freely. 
     Even as I celebrate the birth of this country, I also think about a different type of freedom tonight.  Just as many men sacrificed for the freedom of our nation, so Jesus Christ, God's only Son died for our sins to free us from the power of the devil.  Dying a cruel death to save us from our sins -- not just you and me, but the whole world - was truly the ultimate sacrifice.  Conquering death through His resurrection was the ultimate victory over see.  Christ gave us the power to break free from the chains of unrighteousness and become His servants.  (Romans 6:18) 
      Christ Himself told us in John 8:31-32 - "Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on Him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."    Then in John 14:6 - Jesus tells the apostles "I am the way, truth and the life." 
If we know Jesus (Truth) and abide in His Words  -- then we will be free.  The latter part of Jn. 14:6 says "no man cometh to the Father but by me."  We see from here that if we want to get to know the Father - we have to know the Truth - Jesus. 
      In comparing the old law - the law of Moses- to the new law of Jesus -- Paul tells us in Romans 8:1-2 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.  For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus had made me free from the law of sin and death."  What beautiful words!  Isn't it wonderful to know that we can have this freedom -- and the Spirit of life in Christ?  Woo Hoo!
      Further Paul tells us in Galatians 5:1 that we are free from the bondage of sin and in this same verse we are warned against further sin.  "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." 
      So if Christ died to make us free and we believe on Him is that it?  We are saved --right?  No -- no it's not "it."  There is more to it than that.  We can't become entangled again with the bondage of sin.  We must instead become servants of righteousness.  He died to make us free.  We must live to serve Him --learn of His Truth and then obey His commandments.
     Will all this be worth it?  Will giving ourselves over to Him to become the servants of righteousness really mean something?  If you believe the Scriptures it will - most definitely it will! 
     We have this declaration from Christ in Revelation 21:6-7 "And he said unto me, It is done.  I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life FREELY.  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God and he shall be my son."   
    There it is - there is the promise we are waiting on for.
So my friends, let us pray the freedom rings true throughout this land so that the word of the Lord can have free course -- so that we can help others gain the most important freedom of all -- freedom from our sin!

Let freedom ring!

Christ above all things,
Robin