Happy 4th July! A day synonymous with friends, flags, fireworks and of course, freedom.
We all desire freedom don’t we? The freedom to choose our own path, make our own decisions, and live our lives where and however we please. Since the beginning of time freedom has been an integral part of our human experience, a desire ingrained into the very fabric of our existence. Wars have been fought over it, heavy sacrifices have been made for it, individually and as a nation. And now that it is ours we have a choice to make — what are are going to do with it?
“For to be free is not merely to cast off one’s chains, but to live in a way that respects and enhances the freedom of others.” —Nelson Mandela.
As children of God our freedom—bought with a price by the blood of Christ—also comes with great responsibility.
“Make sure you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do… Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom. If you bite and ravage each other, watch out—in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?” Galatians 5:13-15 MSG.
How relevant these words of truth are today— to a selfish, self seeking world tearing itself apart. A world that thinks it is free but is in actual fact still very much held captive.
As we celebrate our freedom today, as a nation and in Christ, let us be reminded of the calling this freedom entails. To live selfless, humble lives with love as the goal. Unflinching, unquestioning love, free from condemnation and judgement. Love that offers light and hope to a dark, hurting world, and leads people to Christ to find the freedom He has promised for themselves.