Living in the United States of America, freedom is a concept that we are all familiar with. Freedom is the foundation on which our nation was established. It is what many of our finest citizens have bled and died for. It is what allows us to gather on the Lord’s Day without the government harassing or prosecuting us for it. Freedom is so prevalent to us that we often take it for granted. Sadly, this is not so for a large number of Christians around the world. Many people in foreign countries who profess to follow Christ are jailed, beaten, or killed for doing so. This year, we will be celebrating our 250th anniversary as a country, and we should be proud of that.
In addition to, and more importantly, we should be mindful of the freedom that we have in Christ. The freedom that we have in Christ frees us from sin, death, and condemnation, Romans 8:1-2. Jesus said in John 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Thank God for the Son, Jesus Christ. For the sacrifice that He made on our behalf so that we can have that freedom. Imagine the fear and suffering of knowing that you have absolutely zero chance of escaping eternal punishment at the end of your life. In Christ, we do not have that fear. In Christ, we have all the freedom and all the spiritual blessings that we need, Ephesians 1:3.
Paul says in Galatians 5:1 to “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” Paul is articulating here that Christians need to hold our ground in the freedom that Christ has given to us. The imagery is that of a military context and holding a line and refusing to retreat or surrender. Do not go back to living by the law of Moses, do not go back to living a life of sin, but actively stand fast in the faith we were given when we were buried with Christ in baptism!
Worldy freedom is good, but Godly freedom is great. Godly freedom cannot be taken away by men, bound by borders, or legislated against. Be proud to be an American but be even prouder to be a Christian.
-Caleb Westbrook
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