A Word from Charles
This week, we will be celebrating the 4th of July. It has been said that from 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American Independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues. This Independence brings freedom to us as Americans. This Independence has allowed us to help and protect many nations all around the world for decades. This Independence has given the Americans a great place to live. How much do we value our freedom as Americans? Freedom taken for granted has no value to a person. Some of the problems we see today could be surmised as taking freedom for granted.
We have wonderful freedom as Americans. We are to be thankful for it and know freedom can be taken away. Three years ago, we saw firsthand what a pandemic can do to our freedom. It limited freedom. So, as we celebrate let us be thankful and appreciative.
Celebrating our freedom is on a greater level as a believer in Jesus Christ. As we think of the freedom as a believer in Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ set us free from the bondage of sin. We are no longer enslaved to sin. Christ set us free! Praise the Lord. Do you remember how you felt before you trusted Christ. I remember I had the guilt of sin and I knew that I was facing the judgment of God. That judgment of God would send me to Hell for all of eternity. As Paul said in Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His love towards us in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us. Today we are free because of the love of God. Today we are free because Jesus died on the cross for our sins. The precious blood of Jesus Christ purchased our freedom.
Christians can also take their freedom for granted. We can be ungrateful too. You see, the way we live our life is how we view our freedom in Christ. Focusing on our freedom in Christ will have a positive impact in our life. Our freedom in Christ will make us love, have joy, do God’s will in our lives. Paul said in Galatians 5:13, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
I am afraid today that many Christians indulge the flesh rather than serving one another. We miss great opportunities for God when we indulge the flesh. Indulging the flesh is disobedience to God. This disobedience will keep us from the having the abundant life in Jesus Christ.
So as we celebrate as our freedom as a American and as a Christian, let us remember a price has been paid for our freedom. Sacrifices have been made in order that we might be free. Let us focus on our freedom and do God’s will in our lives. Lastly this will impact our attitude knowing that we are very blessed and have been given much. Let us live our lives to honor and glorify God.
Blessings,
Bro. Charles
