Happy Independence Day Poplar Springs! This Sunday, we talked about freedom. It will be a word that is repeated a lot this week as our country celebrates July 4th.
“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.” – From the Preamble to the Declaration of Independence
The Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. It was the beginning of the United States of America as we know it. President Abraham Lincoln called it “a rebuke and a stumbling-block to tyranny and oppression.” It contains the essence of our government, and our identity as Americans. It is about freedom.
Jesus had something to say about freedom as well. While He was speaking to a group of Jewish believers, we read, “…Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free…So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.’” (John 8:31-32 & 36)
The freedoms we enjoy as Americans are wonderful; that we are all created equal and have God-given rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. But the freedoms we enjoy as Americans can also be a path to isolation, pain, worry, destruction, and misery. A democratic form of government is great, but it doesn’t mean we as individuals will know true freedom, only Jesus can provide that.
Only when we trust in Jesus…
Only when we keep in step with the Spirit…
Only when we live in dependence on Jesus…only then, can we gain our true independence.
When we are dependent on Jesus, then we are finally independent.
We are free.
I pray we take time this week to thank God for our freedom. Both the freedoms we enjoy as Americans; but far more importantly, the freedom we have from sin, guilt, and shame because of His Son Jesus.
Prayer: God, thank you for freedom; freedom where we live and, more importantly, freedom from our sin. Thank you for the freedom we have in your Son Jesus. In His name we pray, Amen.
Grace and peace,
Aaron
pastoraaronhinton@gmail.com
(704) 300-0081