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CHRISTIAN LIVING TODAY
July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was adopted and the United States officially became its own nation. Annually, this day symbolizes freedom, and it became a national holiday in 1941.
I recall visiting Williamsburg, Virginia, and the overwhelming sense of patriotism I felt as I watched a documentary about our founding fathers, and the excruciating choices individuals and families made to ensure victory and freedom.
It’s good for me to reflect on the why of our celebrations.
The Bible speaks of freedom too, Galatians 5:13 says, “For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.
An interesting thing to ponder comes from 1 Corinthians 8:9: “But take care that this liberty of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak.”
Like our national freedom, Christian freedom was costly. Jesus Himself paid the ultimate price.
He gave Himself as a ransom for all, revealing God’s purpose at His appointed time (1 Timothy 2:6). Jesus declared His mission in Luke, as prophesied in Isaiah 61:1: “…to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.”
Each one of us was a captive to sin prior to salvation — and the penalty was death. Jesus paid that cost and won our freedom from sin and death.
Freedom, in Galatians 5:13, is called liberty: “true liberty is living as we should, not as we please.”
Christian freedom and American freedom accomplish more as we work together toward a worthy goal. Scripture has many verses about our need for each other.
I observe lots of “together projects” around Elgin and Bastrop County. I watch people expend themselves serving and providing for others. We have freedom to love our neighbor, as we remember that each person bears the image of God (Imago Dei).
Every human is created in God’s likeness, with unique qualities reflecting some of the attributes of God. This automatically assigns value and worth to each one. We have inherent dignity given to us by God the Creator.
Christians celebrate freedom from the bondage of sin and death. Jesus’ resurrection ensures that death is a transition for believers, not the final end.
Our freedom requires thoughtfulness toward others. Kindness. Consideration. Care.
Happy Freedom Day. Until next week, Anita
Onarecker, an Elgin resident, author of “Divine Appointment: Our Journey to the Bridge” and minister to women and adults, earned a Master of Christian Education from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminaryin2007.
