There’s much to say at this time of the year in the United States of America about the cost of freedom that we enjoy. Many people have put their lives on the line to get the freedoms we have and to preserve them. When people take freedom for granted, they also like to forget the past, including those who have given their lives for the freedoms enjoyed today. No wonder the Bible has a stern warning about removing ancient landmarks which could be taken as the borders of property but also the landmarks of a standard of remembrance.
Proverbs 22:28 (ESV) — 28 Do not move the ancient landmark that your fathers have set.
Freedom is something that we too easily take for granted so may we take some time today to reflect upon the ancient landmarks of America and give thanks to God for His providence in providing us freedom. It’s the right thing to do lest we forget and become easily led astray from the very principles for which people fought and gave their lives.
As long as we are talking about freedom and freedom that is without cost to us, but is priceless we need to think about the freedom we have because of the Lord Jesus Christ making us free from the bondage to sin, Satan, and death.
John 8:31–36 (ESV) — 31 So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, “If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” 33 They answered him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?” 34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
The only way the Jesus can set us free to walk in the truth is to be the propitiation for our sin, or the satisfaction of God’s anger toward us because of our sin.
Hebrews 2:14–17 (ESV) — 14 Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. 16 For surely it is not angels that he helps, but he helps the offspring of Abraham. 17 Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
Hence Jesus calls us to follow Him and in following Him we will know the truth and the truth will make us free. That freedom came at a great cost as He laid down His life for us. Nevertheless, He calls us to freedom – freedom in the truth, freedom from the law of sin and death, and freedom to serve one another.
Galatians 5:13 (ESV) — 13 For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Freedom in Christ is true freedom because there is no regrets in following this freedom. There is nothing that can satisfy the soul any better than the freedom found in the Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes people think freedom is being able to do anything we want to do without boundaries. We know, however, that by nature we crave things that are not good for us and follow after passions that will bring us down. The freedom that the Lord Jesus Christ gives us is a freedom to do what is right and pleasing to Him, in which there is no regret.
As you talk about freedom today, consider making a list of the freedoms you enjoy by God’s providence as being a citizen of the USA. As you list those freedoms consider the many who gave their lives in war, in service, as volunteers, etc. Freedom is free but it’s not cheap. Don’t stop there. Consider the freedoms you enjoy in the Lord Jesus Christ. All the freedoms you enjoy are a result of the death, burial, resurrection, ascension, and intercession of the Son of God on your behalf. His focus on your freedom never ceases, may we never cease in remembering with gratitude the high cost of our freedom.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
