Let Freedom Ring

Freedom has never been free. We thank our armed forces for all they do every day to protect us and our freedoms. In the same way, our ultimate freedom was also paid for by a life. Jesus came to earth for one great purpose: to give his life as a ransom for many. He made the ultimate sacrifice in a great battle of perfect holiness against total depravity to rescue sinners. By giving his life, he not only won that battle and gave life to all those who receive him, but he also gave us freedom. I used to think that Jesus died just to save us from hell. In reality, he died to give us so much more. He gives freedom to everyone that asks him. And I don’t just mean freedom from eternal punishment. By giving us a love relationship with himself, he gave us freedom from the power of sin and made us victorious. Victory. Freedom. Liberty. Sacrifice. Those are the exact same things we remember and honor during Memorial Day. Those are the exact same thing we can remember and honor and celebrate every single day of our lives as beloved children of God. In my own life, Jesus has given and is still giving me freedom from so many things. I have found freedom from the chains that used to bind me in self-condemnation. I may still struggle, but I am no longer bound.

In Christ, I am claiming and finding freedom from fear, from the need to prove myself and my worthiness to God, from self-imposed chains of legalism. Jesus wants us to live in the perfect law of liberty. If you are bound by the chains of fear, anger, hate, envy, laziness, legality, addiction, or anything else that is binding, he can and will strike away those chains. He can not only save you from eternal death but give you eternal life here and now by granting you a love relationship with himself. 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, …and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. John 8:36 says, So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. He is there, waiting to give you freedom. This weekend, as we remember those who have given their lives for freedom, let us all remember how Jesus gave his life for our liberty.