This week we celebrate Independence Day, also referred to as the Fourth of July. It is a
federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the
Declaration of Independence on July 4,
1776.
July 4th has been celebrated with community festivities
that range from fireworks, parades, concerts in the parks, water skiing shows
to more intimate family gatherings and barbecues.
For many individuals who claim the
USA as their homeland, it is a day to commemorate and celebrate freedom.
Freedom: the state of
being free or at liberty rather than a state of being in confinement or under
physical restraint, the exemption from external control, interference,
regulation, etc., the power to determine action without restraint.
And to some, a way to celebrate
freedom means throwing off all restraints and drinking well past an
“acceptable” level. In other words, throwing off all restrictions and doing
“whatever” I want.
But is that really freedom? How is
going so far past sensibility in any way freedom? Isn’t the fact that you are
under control of a mood-altering substance proof that you are not walking in
freedom but rather in bondage?
How is fulfilling every sexual
desire freedom; especially when you must get drunk to do so?
This can’t be how our founding
leaders meant for us to celebrate our independence; our freedom.
The Apostle Paul said; “Stand fast
therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be
entangled again with a yoke of bondage.” (Galatians 5:1).
Although he was referring to other
bondages that the early church was adding to the Gospel message, this passage
is applicable to those situations where we want to use our freedom as USA
citizens to do what we want.
No, we were never meant to live in
bondage, but freedom; that is why we fought the war and wrote the Declaration
of Independence in 1776. We knew that we were created to be free.
We knew that we were not supposed
to be held in any bondages.
“For the law of the Spirit of life
in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
TRUTH is what sets us free; not drugs or alcohol.
Jesus said; “If you abide
in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall
know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:31-32)
JESUS is what sets us freedom; not
debauchery.
“Therefore if
the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” (John
8:36)
We were meant to be free.
God has a
sovereign plan and purpose for your life. But you won’t find it by numbing your
senses or abusing your body. Instead, it will be by the supernatural direction
of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit
calls out to each of us; “Stop. Look. Listen! Wrong way! Detour! Change your
direction! You’re on the wrong road that
leads to bondage; not freedom!”
God helps you go
another direction and gets you back heading where He wants you to be.
The Holy Spirit has been given to help us
change our minds and convict us of where we are going the wrong direction. 1
John 1:8-10 says;
“If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is
faithful and just to forgive us our
sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not
sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
Do you desire to be free, but you are not sure how to?
Let me ask you a
question; has there been a moment in your life when you acknowledged and
admitted your sin and then by faith received the Lord Jesus Christ? If not, you
can today. Your life can be changed. Your sins can be forgiven. You can live a
new life. You can have the assurance that if you died at this moment, you would
go to heaven. Will you receive Him as your Savior?
My prayer is that this 4th
of July you start to walk in that freedom
Need some help:
Call 1-888-NEED HIM; someone is waiting and wanting to help you and get back
going the right direction.
All Scripture taken from the New
King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All
rights reserved.
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