True Freedom

We as Americans have always enjoyed the kind of freedom that other countries only dream about. But in our country's 200+year history, not all Americans have always been free. Until 1865 with the passage of the 13th Amendment, slavery was legal in most of the United States. Legal as it may have been, it certainly was not freedom for the millions of Blacks, Native Americans, and some Whites that were held by slave masters. President Lincoln fought hard for the rights of those slaves. The Civil War was very costly to America, and demonstrated that we as a society would not hesitate to fight for what we believed to be right, even if it meant a fight to the death. Two World Wars and several military skirmishes later, have we really come any farther? Our Military men and women put their lives on the line everyday so we can remain free, because we believe that freedom is the right thing. But on this Eve of Independence Day, we view our flag of stars and stripes as a symbol of not only freedom, but also as a reminder of the cost of that freedom.!

The ultimate sacrifice for freedom was the one paid by God. God loved us so much that He sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for us. We were not free before Jesus came to shed His blood on earth. We were all trapped in the bondage of sin, no matter our religion, color, or national origin. But God wanted to restore our relationship to Him. His Master plan, which was fought against by all the forces of Satan, succeeded when Jesus uttered the phrase, "It is finished." God allowed His Son to be murdered so that we can be free. What Americans have learned in its quest for freedom, God already knew all too well. Freedom is not free! Is it any wonder that our first murdered President, who fought for the abolishment of slavery, and Jesus Christ, who fought for the abolishment of sin, both died on Good Friday?

Titus 3:7 says, "Having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life."

Father, thank you for Your Son Jesus. Thank you for the true freedom that is found only in Him. In Jesus name, Amen.