The Freedom That Lasts
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, ‘If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.’”
How much do you value your freedom? We're going to hear a lot about freedom in the coming weeks, as the United States celebrates its 250th year. Although the United States has never perfectly lived up to its professed values of freedom or justice, the U.S. shows what might be possible when a nation seeks to ensure its people's life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
As the nation prepares to celebrate, remember that the truth of our freedom goes beyond national identity and lies in what Jesus teaches in the Bible verse above. In John 8:31-32, Jesus speaks to His disciples, reminding them that it is through following and obeying His teaching that we find freedom from God's perspective. He addresses people who think they have it all together but don’t understand that they are bound by sin and worldly thinking. His teaching, death, and resurrection are the means by which we are set free from these things. Later in the passage, Jesus says, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” This is the freedom every soul needs. The challenge is that this powerful truth can be lost amid other thoughts and the usual busyness of life.
In Galatians 5:1, the Apostle Paul teaches, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” Paul reminds the Galatian church that Christ died so we wouldn't have to face the consequences of our sin. Yet, many use the freedom they have in Christ to engage in behaviors that are not Christlike. In addition, having the blessing of freedom offers a unique perspective on what it means not to have it. Disciples of Jesus must be concerned with the needs of others as we work to build His kingdom. As Martin Luther King Jr. said, “injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”
It is right and important to celebrate the good things about America. It’s equally important, if not more so, to celebrate the freedom that comes with being a part of Christ’s Kingdom. This year, reflect on how freely, easily, and enthusiastically you display national pride compared with how you celebrate what Christ has done for you. This is not meant to discourage the one but rather to encourage more of the other. Be sure to celebrate being “free indeed” with the same energy and joy you bring to other celebrations in your world.
Pastor Scott
