July 1992
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"If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be
free indeed. "(John 8:36)
On July 4, our
nation will celebrate the anniversary of our
declaration of independence from England. It will be a time for parades and fireworks, and people will sit back for a moment and reflect upon "the price that was paid to purchase our liberty. They will rejoice that we live in "the land of the free and the home of the brave."
If we as Americans celebrate our American freedom, how much more so should we as Christians rejoice in our liberty in Christ. The Bible tells us that before salvation we were the servants of sin. We were the Devil's children, and bound to serve him. But Jesus came, and shed His precious blood on the cross of Calvary to provide for me a home in Heaven, and to free me from the chains of sin. Today, I need to remember the price that was paid for my liberty. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, left the glories of Heaven, to come to earth. He was rejected by men, mocked, scourged, and ultimately crucified. The Bible tells us that we have redemption "through His blood." That blood had to be shed on the cross in order for me to be saved. Yes. salvation is free to the believer, but it was very costly to the Provider, for it cost Jesus His life.
Having reflected on the price that was paid for our liberty, we should take time to rejoice in it. No longer am I obligated to dwell in sin. No longer am I bound to the law of sin and death. I am no longer attempting to save
myself, for Christ has taken care of all of that. Now I am free to do right, for the Holy Spirit indwells me. I am free to partake of the promises of God, for I am a child of the King. I am free to reject evil, for I have become a new creature in Christ. I am free to understand the Scriptures, for they are spiritually discerned. Never again do I need to return to bondage, for I am kept by the power of God.
This 4th of July, amid all the celebrating, let's take a moment to praise God for the greatest liberty of all: the freedom to serve God and know that our sins are forgiven through our faith in His sacrifice on the cross.
Your Pastor
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