Greetings, fellow worshippers ...
This year, America officially turns 250 years old, two and a half centuries of independence! A time for celebration; a time for family and friends; a time for food – grilled meat to be precise; and a time for fireworks. While we celebrate, we should remember how truly blessed we are to live in a country that has enjoyed freedom for 250 years – and this milestone is one we should never take for granted.
In thinking about this huge national birthday, we should also remember that 250 years of American liberty and the eternal freedom we get in Jesus are quite different and give us an even greater reason to celebrate. The liberties guaranteed by our founding fathers protect our outside rights. They let us vote, worship openly, speak our minds, have our opinions, dress how we want, live how we want, and buy fireworks that may be borderline illegal in most civilized places.
But as awesome as our amazing 250-year-old Constitution is, it cannot touch our insides. A passport cannot cure a restless mind; a birth certificate cannot break a bad habit; citizenship does not offer forgiveness; our Bill of Rights cannot erase anything from your past.
That, my friends, is where Jesus comes in. He deals in total inside freedom, and the Bible lays it out like this:
- Galatians 5:1: "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free ... do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."
- Romans 8:1: "There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus."
- 2 Corinthians 3:17: "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
- John 8:36: "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."
- (Not "free-ish." Not "free unless you mess up again." TOTALLY FREE!)
- Galatians 5:13: "Do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love."
- (True freedom means we are finally free from our favorite topic: ourselves. NOW, GO SERVE OTHERS!)
National freedom is amazing, but even the greatest of countries can, and will, continue to change – laws may change; borders may change. However, the freedom Christ gives to His followers is completely unbreakable, requires no security clearance, and does not change.
So, as we watch the fireworks light up the sky for America's big 250th, be grateful for our country's incredible milestone. But also, let this time remind you and be absolutely thrilled that you are a child of God who has been set free ... for eternity!
✌🏼♥️... peace and love … Billy
Note: if you would like more information about the Worship Ministry, or if you would like to talk with me about how the Ministry works, and what we do, please contact me. I would love to set up a time and hear from you.
