A Celebration of Freedom!

249 years!  That's how old we are as a nation.   And in just a few more days, we'll watch the beautiful fireworks and enjoy the grilled hamburgers and hot dogs to celebrate the freedoms that we enjoy as Americans!  But consider all the other freedoms we celebrate.  That last car payment or mortgage payment- Freedom!  Moving out from under Mom and Dad's roof as young adults- Freedom!  Walking across the stage and being handed that diploma- Freedom!  But consider- none of those freedoms were actually "free".  The United States has survived all these years because men and women were willing to sacrifice their lives on battlefields around the world to protect us from enemies who sought to destroy us.  Paying off a car loan or mortgage meant working hard to earn the necessary money.  That diploma resulted from years of attending school, studying, and doing homework to advance each grade (and listening to grandpa tell his stories, it also meant walking barefoot in the snow in winter)!  Freedom doesn't just happen; either we or someone else made a sacrifice to earn it for us.
As Christians, we need to understand that true freedom is only found in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.  His agony on the cross is the guarantee of our spiritual freedom.  He, and only he, was capable of paying the price for our sin, and through the power of the empty tomb, offering us the promise of eternal life when we choose to accept Him.  So, while our country has survived 249 years of history, our lives in Christ will last forever.  When we see people in the streets protesting Israel and the Jews, when we watch police being attacked and assaulted, when we listen to television hosts and podcasters ridiculing our faith, it's then that we need to take hold of the freedom we've been given.  So, as you eat your burgers and hot dogs, as you listen to and admire the beautiful fireworks displays, take a moment and thank God for all He has given us.  Celebrate your Christian freedom!

Be blessed!

Ray