Word of the Week - Freedom (Independence Day)
“Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17
Greetings from Athens Greece! Amy and I are on a trip in Greece with some friends to “Discover Greece through the footsteps of Paul”. We visited the Acropolis Museum this morning, see pics attached. Being out of the USA in a foreign country is great, but it always helps me appreciate our homeland of the United States of America and more specifically good ole Birmingham, Alabama!!!
July 4th – also known as Independence Day – is a time to celebrate America. The holiday marks the day in 1776 when the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, signaling the official separation of the 13 original colonies from Great Britain amid the Revolutionary War. Even amidst so much turmoil and division in our country as of late, we must recognize that we still live in the most amazing nation on earth and rejoice in God’s blessing over the United States of America over the past 247 years. We have much to be thankful as we celebrate our Independence.
The price and value of Freedom: I think it is most important to reflect on the true blessings and responsibilities of Freedom. In a practical sense, we are truly blessed to live in a country that values Freedom and Independence for its citizens. The United States of America was founded by men of faith on the premise that we must value and protect individual rights and hold these things sacred as outlined in the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”. It is easy to take this for granted because we are so accustomed to this reality that we really cannot fathom not having these Freedoms and individual rights. Besides bar-b-que, fireworks and time on the water with family and friends, the purpose of the July 4th Holiday is to set aside a day to recognize the high price that has been paid over the past 250 years to gain and defend this amazing gift of Freedom and to never take it lightly or for granted. To remember the cost of Freedom and the blood and sacrifice that was poured out to attain our Freedom as a nation.
Responsibility of Freedom: As American citizens and believers (citizens of the Kingdom of God), I think it is most important that we take on the mantle and responsibility that comes with the gift of Freedom. Ronald Reagan said “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” It is our responsibility as Americans to value, protect and steward our Freedom. Similarly, but more importantly, Christ Jesus was crucified, died and rose again so that we could overcome death and have the ultimate Freedom that comes with salvation through Christ. His blood gives us the power to find true Freedom from the wrath of God and the sin and strife of this world. “It is for Freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Galatians 5:1. It is interesting that the Freedom of Christ is received not through a spirit of independence but by a spirit of dependence whereby we live our lives depending on God through an abiding relationship that He describes in John 15:5. By living connected to the vine of Christ He blesses us with Freedom so that we can do His good work and produce godly fruit in our lives for His glory and purpose. “For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13
Lord, we thank you for our many Freedoms to include: 1) Freedom of religion and individual belief, 2) Freedom to worship, 3) Freedom of prayer and 4) Freedom of speech to name just a few. We are grateful that we live in a nation that that values Freedom and want to remember and honor all of those who have sacrificed and died to make this a reality for us by exercising our Freedoms in a healthy, respectful and honoring manner. Lord, most of all, we thank you for the fact that while we were still sinners you died for us so that we can be Free from the wages of sin and live with you in Eternal Freedom.
In celebration of July 4th, I pray that we would remember the cost of Freedom, rejoice in the reality of our Freedom, and come together as a nation and body of believers in unity to acknowledge and honor the sacrifice of our veterans and American Heroes who paid a very high price for our Freedom. Additionally, that we would rejoice in the goodness of the Lord and the sacrifice He made on the cross for our eternal salvation/freedom. This is something to truly celebrate and unite over.
God Bless you and God Bless America, the land of the Free!!!
Duane
Amy and I in Athens, Greece.
The Parthenon in Greece.