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Independence Day is here, and it's completely natural to think about the concept of freedom.
There's a saying that goes, "Freedom isn't free."
We hear it every Fourth of July, usually in reference to the men and women who served and sacrificed so we could enjoy the freedoms we have as a nation. That's absolutely worth honoring.
But I think that phrase is mirrored even more strongly in Scripture.
Jesus paid the ultimate price. Not for a nation or an ideology, but for people. For individual, specific, known-by-name people. The God of the universe looked at humanity and decided that the cost of our freedom was worth paying, even when the cost was everything!
And if Jesus paid the ultimate price for each of us, then it means something profound about our value. It means each of us is infinitely valuable.
Not because of what we've done or what we bring to the table, but because of what was paid for us.
The Apostle Paul puts it this way: "You were bought at a price" (1 Corinthians 6:20).
Ephesians 2:10 states, "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Some translations use the word "masterpiece" instead of "handiwork." I love that.
You are not an accident, an afterthought, or a commodity. You are a masterpiece, and someone paid a master's price for you.
I'm writing this to you because I think we all need to hear it more often than we do.
While Christian's health was crashing earlier this year, he didn't have the energy to do all the things he needed to do. He's so thankful for the truth that his value is not in his accomplishments or in his perfection, but his value is simply being in Christ. We are so thankful to God that his health is being restored quickly and dramatically.
You are valued. You are valuable. You are a masterpiece. Someone paid an extraordinary price for you, and that settles the question of your worth once and for all.
You're not just a donor or a prayer partner or a name on our list. You are someone that God made on purpose, and we are genuinely grateful that He wove your life into ours.
So, from our family to yours: Happy Independence Day.
We hope you enjoy every bit of it.
In Christ,
Christian & Alison
209-891-7515
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