Today, in the United States of America, we recognize and celebrate Independence Day.  It has now been 240 years of remembering this day…

Remembering a day that declared who, we, as a body of people are.  Free.  Free from the rule of an-other, who had only their wishes over an-other, to be broken.  Free.  To make the choice to stand up.  Free.  To choose to make the sacrifices to fight for, be, and protect our being free.

A new country.  A new foundation.  A new hope.  A new community.  All because people were united, focused upon a single goal.  People from all sorts of ethnicities – socio-economic backgrounds, nations, denominations, ages, personal desires, likes and dislikes.  People who chose to prioritize sacrificing to live where there was freedom to make choices.  People who had no idea what that was going to look like, nor what were the consequences that they were to face, this mishmash of people, as the years would come and go.

Freedom.  It comes by choice.  It comes by sacrifice.  It is a privilege.  It is earned not by works, but by people doing what it takes to break the bondage, the chain, the oppression that limits one from making a choice.  Freedom.  Our United States of America has provided a culture where one can choose.  To live and practice God’s gift of free will.

Freedom.  It comes with responsibility.  To maintain it.  For all to enjoy.  For all to be united in supporting an-other’s freedom of choice.  To insure that a person’s gift of free will, the ability to make a choice (as well as be accountable to the consequences), is available and continued.

Freedom.  By every definition of the word, means me, i, you, them, us, we have the ability to make a choice that does not harm nor bind an-other to something, someone, somewhere, that they do not wish to be.  Whether it means being forcibly chained, bound, to being involved with, connected to, financially supporting, or working for an-other that we do not choose to, so we fight and sacrifice so that freedom will be available to all who accept the responsibility of freedom.  (And, may i be so bold as to comment that way too many people have forgotten what that this freedom comes with responsibilities for self AND others.  That one’s right does not mean binding another without any consequence of their perceived right, their choice.)

Jesus.  He’s the guy who came to be the lone, perfect example, of providing freedom.  Loving us whether we like, love, know, believe in Him or not.  Freedom.  He’s the guy who sacrificed everything – dignity, respect, rights, and His life – so we can have the opportunity to be free.  Freedom.  From shame.  From lies.  From hatred.  From unforgiveness.  From oppression.  From hopelessness.  From death eternal.  Jesus.  Freedom.   He said, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed…”.  [Luke 4:18, New King James Version]

Freedom…

“It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life.  Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom.  Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows.  For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence:  Love others as you love yourself.  That’s an act of true freedom.  If you bite and ravage each other, watch out – in no time at all you will be annihilating each other, and where will your precious freedom be then?”  [Galatians 5:13-15, “The Message”]

Freedom.  Let us recognize and celebrate this Independence Day.  Always remembering the sacrifices and choices that continue to be the foundation of freedom.  Just as Jesus chose to do for us, we are to do for one an-other.  We in the United States of America are blessed to live with this opportunity… this privilege and responsibility.  Let us unite our hands and hearts to be the best example we can.  To always remember that we are all human, not perfect, yet with Christ we CAN begin to live as the new creation He created us to be.  As one of our patriotic songs reminds us, “…God shed His grace on thee…”.  Freedom.  Let us give thanks and praise… living as new men… getting uncomfortable and having the freedom to follow Jesus (or not), and accepting all the consequences of our freedom.  A safe and JOY-filled, thankful, happy Independence Day to all.