As America ramps up to celebrate our Independence Day, I hope your day is full of family, friends, and food.
The freedom we have did not come freely.
It was paid for by millions of brave men and women that have served this country over the past 244 years.
My prayer for you is that as you enjoy your day you will pause, give thanks for the soldiers who provided and defends your freedom since all gave some and some gave all.
I also pray that you will know Jesus Christ, the One who died to save your soul and provide true and lasting freedom.
“Only two defining forces have ever offered to die for you; Jesus Christ and the American G. I. One died for your soul; the other for your freedom.” ~Author Unknown.
Freedom In America
When America declared its independence from King George and Great Britain, we declared that our rights came from God, our Creator.
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal; that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights; that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. ~Thomas Jefferson
After winning our independence from England, we created a democratic republic or representative democracy. In it, we the people, elect our officials to make laws for us.
We are far from a perfect country as recent events this year have shown.
We have stains of shame in our history, yet we are more often than not, the country that sends help to countries in need of help and freedom.
The American Soldier has given much over the centuries to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.” The freedom we have in America is God-given and spelled out in the Constitution.
True Freedom Through Jesus Christ
Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. (emphasis added)
The Creator of the universe (Genesis 1:1) is the same loving Heavenly Father that wants to redeem us and repair the damaged relationship between humanity and Him.
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” ~John 3:16 (ESV)
Why did He do this? Because He loved us and we are imperfect beings.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 (NKJV)
If God did not do anything to save us, we would be forever separated from Him.
“For the wages of sin [is] death, but the gift of God [is] eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 (NKJV)
Again, He showed how loving He is because “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NKJV)
So how does one need to do? We need to put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ.
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”Romans 10:9-10 (NKJV)
We can take heart because we are that that “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 (NKJV)
So after making that decision to truly call on the name of the LORD and accept Jesus, what do you do? You begin by spending time daily talking with God (aka prayer) and by spending time in God’s Word, the Bible. “So then faith [comes] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17 (NKJV)
If you are new to reading Scripture, I recommend reading the Gospel of John. After that, read the Gospel of Luke and then the book of Acts.
There are 21 chapters in John, 24 in Luke, and 28 in Acts. Take these 73 chapters and read one a day for the next 2-3 months.
You Must Make A Decision
To enjoy the freedoms granted to American citizens, you need to be an American.
To enjoy the freedom from sin and Hell, you need to be a child of God. God will not force you to accept His Son. He will leave it up to you to decide.
And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the LORD, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” ~ Joshua 24:15(ESV, emphasis added)
This is a modified version of a post that was originally posted on my previous blog, FaceYourGoliaths.com
