I am very thankful to live in the United States of America. Though it is far from perfect, and has some shameful blots in its past, our country is a place where folks can lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence (1 Timothy 2:2b NKJV). The following line taken from the Declaration of Independence shows that our founding fathers agreed with the preceding verse: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness." Sadly however, the persecution of Christians still goes on today in countries like North Korea, where you cannot gather for worship, and where you may be sent to a labor camp or even executed for being a Christian. May we pray that are brethren there will be bold (cf. Acts 4:29).
The thing about freedom is that freedom is not free. To "throw off" an oppressive regime usually involves the shedding of blood. Blood was spilt in the original thirteen colonies of this country to win its independence from a tyrannical government. Likewise, precious blood was shed for many for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28b). The writer of Hebrews adds, and without the shedding of blood there is no remission (Hebrews 9:22b). Yes, you and I, and everyone who ever sinned became a slave; for Jesus said, Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin (John 8:34). One is either a slave of sin or has been set free from sin. The only exception are those who are not accountable, such as little children and the mentally handicapped.
Even though one may love his country and be thankful for the freedoms he has, he should love the Lord more and be even more thankful for the freedom that is in Christ Jesus. That is what really matters, because even if one lives in a place like North Korea, he can still be free. That is worth infinitely more than one who lives as a slave to sin in America. The offer of freedom from sin is a gift from our heavenly Father. To access this gift, you must obey the gospel. But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness (Romans 6:17,18). However, to continue in sin will result in eternal separation from God. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23).
Perhaps this past fourth of July, or nineteenth of June, you thought about your personal freedoms and what it cost to have those "unalienable rights." May we be thankful. But let me encourage you to think more about, and give more attention to, the freedom we have in Christ. For the abundant life is only found in Christ (John 10:10), and not in a free society. And while our civil rights can be taken away, the right that Jesus gave us to be children of God (John 1:12) cannot, unless we lay it down ourselves. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed (John 8:36). Have you been set free from your past sins?
Brotherly, Jamie
