FREEDOM

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE FREEDOM

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Independence Day-

Many of us anticipate celebrating America’s over 240 years of freedom with formerly adopting the Declaration of Independence, (July 2, 1776) signifying its desired and complete independence from Great Britain.  Independence Day or The Fourth of July was officially recognized as a legal Federal holiday in the United States in 1941.  The time span of our Nation’s historical celebration of freedom has an interesting past…that’s 165 years after the signing of the Declaration before it was recognized as a National Holiday!

This battle for freedom of speech, right to bear arms, religious freedom and other expressed desires of freedom, did not come before a radical battle and revolt known as The Revolutionary War.  This freedom came as a result of much blood shed, heated debates and resolutions before a new nation emerged.  Freedom was not FREE!

Believer … how often have you remembered the cost of your freedom and initiated a time of celebration?

You may ask what type of freedom are you talking about?

• Freedom of association (including choices based on race, nationality, religion etc.)
• Freedom of speech (using offensive language)
• Freedom of the press (including the release of misleading information for political gain)
• Freedom to express myself (including choice of sexual identity rather than created identity)
• Freedom on right to life (abortion choice and family)

This is a short list of issues around freedom that we are witnessing in our American society today. 

Let me say this … Only ONE freedom really matters …

Consider Paul’s view to the Believer…

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” – Galatians 5:1

1. Rebels-

As rebels, we lost our freedom.  When God created man, it was not with intent for him to become a rebel against his Creator or His Word and certainly not to be in bondage.  “So God created man in his own image… (Gen.1:27)… (v 31)And God saw everything that he had made, and behold, it was very good.

For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall we all be made alive. –I Corinth. 15:22 . 

God said everything he made was GOOD! Sin or rather Adam’s rebellion took us to a state of being enemies to God.  Rebellion against Truth, brought sin, bondage and death!

2. Enslavement-

The present state of rebellion, sin, bondage and death has become almost a norm to our society.  Hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, massive gun shootings, violence, injustice, racism, poverty, has not brought our nation to repentance!  Our youth cry out for help in the midst of confusion, abandonment, deception, drug and alcohol abuse.  Seniors living in anxiety resulting from unaffordable health plans, food insecurity, loneliness, and caring for a 3^rd or 4^th generation of children from broken families, etc.  Enslavement resulting from s-i-n.  Is there an answer…?

3. The Spirit of Liberty-

Paul makes an imperative command “Stand” (You stand) and a declaration…Christ has made us FREE!  The answer is our freedom, the ONE that really matters is thru Jesus Christ!  The Prophet spoke it in Isaiah 61 and Christ reiterated it as He was the fulfillment of the prophecy. (Lk. 4:17-22)

1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;

2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;

3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. –Isaiah 61:1-3

21 And he began to say unto them, This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears. (Lk. 4:21) That’s our present availability to freedom.

 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. -2 Corinth 3:17.  Jesus is the Answer! 

Could you imagine going on your job and everyone in the office was spiritually free!?  How about at the supermarket…the Tax office…your kid’s school… and should I say the Church!

4. Our Glorious Liberty-

Our future freedom can’t even be imagined in this earthly realm. WE are waiting for that glorious liberty.  Our deliverance from ALL bondage and corruption… into the glorious liberty!

Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. -Romans 8:21

FREEDOM is God’s WILL for every Believer! 

Are you FREE? Have you Accepted Jesus as your Savior?It’s CELEBRATION Time!