Patriotism Patriotism has reined popularity since the September 11th terrorism events, and celebrating our nation’s freedom has a higher place of prominence in people’s hearts and minds today. Five or ten years ago, when people were asked about the significance of the 4th of July, sometimes you would come across people who were really not sure, and it didn’t seem to make a lot of difference to them. But, celebrating our nation’s independence and freedom is very significant. The freedom to work, to have recreation, to choose how to spend time and money and to worship God freely, is something to be treasured. An even greater freedom to be valued and cherished, though, is our freedom in Christ and freedom from the penalty of sin. Sometimes the word ‘freedom’ is misunderstood to mean ‘being fee to do whatever we want and to ignore all of the rules and guidelines’. Of course, this is not true. Whether it is abiding by the IRS tax codes or traffic laws, or the rules of baseball, soccer, or any other sport, if we ignore or violate those rules and regulations, we will likely end up spending time explaining ourselves to an IRS official, a policeman, an umpire, or a referee. And, depending on the offense, the conversation could take place behind bars. Following the rules, principles, and guidelines of our freedom in Christ, found in God’s Word, which is a guidebook for our spiritual life, is just as important, if not MORE important than all of the man-made laws we are expected to keep. Some may consider faith in God or confession of sin and obedience to Christ as matters that are optional and easily ignored.A very distressing report from the Barna Research Group several yeas ago indicated that 42% of Americans think Jesus sinned, 25% of professing Christians say He was not sinless, and 61% of Americans think there are other ways to experience salvation beside faith in Christ. These are dangerous departures from the truth of God’s Word. According to the Bible, our ‘guidebook’, it is clear that Jesus Christ lived a perfect life and it is only by faith in Him and His sacrificial death on the cross that we have a relationship with God and experience freedom in Christ. Once we receive that freedom from the penalty of sin, we must then use our freedom to be obedient to God and His Word. Freedom does not mean free to do whatever we want, but being free to do what God calls us to do, and free to do His will and bring glory to God by serving others. Galatians 5:13 says, “…do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love.” I hope and pray you have experienced the freedom in Christ that brings God’s forgiveness and that His joy is filling your life as you obey His commands and guidelines for living that are found in the Bible. |