Friday, July 5, 2013

Freedom From, Freedom For


Yesterday, people all over the U.S. celebrated Independence Day.  We set off fire works, spent time with family, and ate a lot of good food in order to commemorate America’s adoption of the Declaration of Independence.  In other words, we threw a big birthday party for America.

When we throw a birthday party for America, we often take time to appreciate the freedoms we enjoy as its citizens.  We appreciate freedom from tyranny.  We enjoy freedom from taxation without representation.  We value freedom from censorship.

Christians celebrate freedom too, but we recognize that freedom in Christ is a bit different.  Jesus not only saves people from sin, death, guilt, fear, isolation, and so on.  Jesus frees His people for a purpose.  Christians are freed so that we might live lives that glorify God.  The author of Hebrews describes it this way: “Now may the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus…equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever."  Being saved from death, frees us for a life lived for God's glory.

Having just celebrated all that you are freed from, take time to think about what Jesus freed you for as a citizen of the Kingdom of God.  What has God freed you up to do?  If you have a story of deliverance, share it with others.  If God has freed you from financial worries, give.  If God has healed you, use your newfound health to serve and care for others.  Recognize the opportunities Christ has given you through His saving work.  Use that independence and liberty to bring God glory.  This Sunday, let freedom in Christ ring!

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