Freedom

Happy Independence Day!  I am thankful for the United States of America, for the freedoms we enjoy as citizens of this great country.  I am sad when I see a lack of patriotism and hear complaints from some who think their rights are being denied.  Our Nation isn’t perfect and our history proves that, but there isn’t another country I would rather call home.  Many have fought and died to maintain the freedom we enjoy in the United States of America and I am grateful for each one.

As thankful as I am for our national freedoms I am more grateful for our freedom in Christ.  In Romans 6 the Apostle Paul speaks of our freedom from sin.  He states in verse 16 that we are slaves to the one we obey. He contrasts the life of slavery to sin which leads to death and the life of obedience to God which leads to righteousness.

“But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6: 22-23).

As Christians we are free in Christ, but Paul warns us about the use of our freedom. “You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Galatians 5:13-14).   Indulging the sinful nature is actually a life of selfishness-doing what I want rather than thinking about what would honor God.

Paul continues in verse 16, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.”  Paul lists acts of the sinful nature and says those who live like that will not inherit the kingdom of God.

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other” (Galatians 5:22-26).

If all Christians truly allowed the Spirit to produce His fruit in us, what would our homes and communities look like?  What would our Nation look like?  The strength of a nation begins with the strength of the home.  Our Nation needs more strong Spirit-led families who stand for the truth of God’s Word. The survival of our freedoms depends upon it.  Our Nation was founded upon a trust in God and dependence on Him for guidance. Can Christian families help restore that trust?