“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free.” (Galatians 5:13)
July is the month in which our country celebrates its independence. The colonists were seeking freedom, freedom from and freedom to practice “certain unalienable rights like life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. “Freedom” as defined by the founding fathers was a “state of being not dependent; complete exemption from control, or the power of others; as the independence of the Supreme Being”. (Google Search) Isn’t it interesting how closely tied this definition of freedom is to that of our God. One definition of freedom “is not a gift bestowed upon us by other men, but a right that belongs to us by the laws of God and nature”. (Heritage.org) It’s impossible to escape the presence of God in the founding of our nation, but this is what our present-day leaders are attempting to do. No matter what we as mere humans do, man – God’s creation – cannot escape his Creator. He is everywhere!
Biblical freedom is different from political freedom. Of course, many of our political freedoms come from our Christian faith, but it does not address the real problem. The real problem is man’s need to be liberated from the enslaving power of sin and its consequences. Through this liberation, Christian believers are free to love and serve Christ and live holy lives. It’s a true freedom not to indulge oneself which leads to self-destruction, but a true freedom to love God with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and our neighbors as ourselves. We are no longer entangled with selfish desires, but ones which lead us to Jesus and His purposes.
As we celebrate this Independence Day, may we also celebrate our “Independence Day” from the power of sin and its consequences to those of loving, serving, and living out God’s purposes in our lives.
Until Next Month,
Bro. Lyle