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Truly Free

 Good morning, Happy Independence Day and Happy 250th America!

Today America celebrates 250 years of independence, it is a day that reminds us of the courage, sacrifice, and determination of those who fought for freedom.

As Christians, we can celebrate our country and be thankful for the liberties we enjoy. We should pray for our nation, honor those who have served, and be grateful that we live in a place where we can openly worship God.

But Independence Day also invites us to ask a deeper question:

What does freedom really mean?

The Bible teaches that while political freedom is valuable, there is another kind of freedom that every person needs.

Freedom From Sin

Before Christ, we weren't truly free, we were slaves to sin. John 8:34 says, "Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin." He broke our chains, He paid our debt, He opened the prison door.

Freedom to Live Differently

Christian freedom isn't permission to do whatever we want. It is the ability to become who God created us to be. Instead of being controlled by guilt, we're forgiven. Instead of fear, we have hope. Instead of condemnation, we have grace and instead of trying to earn God's love, we rest in it.

Freedom Isn't Free

America's freedom came at a tremendous cost. Our spiritual freedom cost even more. Jesus willingly gave His life on the cross so that we could have eternal life. Every time we celebrate freedom, we can remember the greatest sacrifice ever made.

How Should Christians Celebrate Independence Day?

Celebrate our county, but we shouldn't worship it. We get so tied up in whether we are for or against whatever leader is in charge, that we forget God is ultimately in control and though we may not like who He has put in charge, either now or in the past, the bottom line is nothing happens without God's design. So we always need to respect those who are in charge. (Look up Hebrews 13:17, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Romans 13:1-2, and 1 Peter 2:13-17). Now, please understand, that does not mean we should be doormats to laws that are being made that we believe is wrong, that is the whole point of our freedoms here in America but I will tell you, (and you knew this was coming), if you don't like the way things are, do something about it. Respectfully. I just finished an advocacy contest with our State Association of Community Action Agencies, one of the rewards I got is a shirt that I wear proudly that says, "Advocacy isn't loud, it's intentional". Don't yell at the tv, don't mouth off on Facebook. Get your ideas together, and call you representatives and your senators. Ask for a visit, guess what. You will get it. It will most of the time be with one of the legislative aides but those people are the ones that decide what gets put on the table for the lawmaker to actually see. The way they are treated, and the way you present your evidence and theory determines if it goes farther. And before you do any of this, pray about it, if God put it on your heart, you may be the person to change things. If you hear God saying this is for you, not me, pray some more that He will help you understand. I love the fact that I have a relationship with our legislators. I love that they have learned to respect my opinion on energy related things, but I feel if I ever had anything really pressing on my heart that was happening, they would listen to me on that too. Sorry for the soapbox, it is just in me.

As we celebrate Independence Day, I want to thank God for living in a free country while remembering that my greatest freedom came through Jesus. I don't want to live as someone still chained by worry. bitterness, guilt or fear. Christ has already unlocked those chains. Today, I choose to walk in the freedom He purchased for me and to use that freedom to love God and my neighbor. 


Galatians 5:1
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Stay safe everyone.



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