Chris' Corner - July 5, 2020
"What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; 'tis dearness only that gives everything its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods, and it would be strange indeed, if so celestial an article as Freedom should not be highly rated." —Thomas Paine.
The above statement was written in 1776. Mr. Paine was an American philosopher and patriot of the Revolutionary War. We can only imagine what it was like in those early formative years when our country was just beginning.
History tells us the price paid for our freedom. It may have started in the American Revolution, but more and more has been paid ever since. Freedom isn't purchased just once, It's something that must be maintained.
Since the Revolutionary War (1775—1783), to the current Global war on Terrorism, the estimated number of U.S. military deaths is 1,196,554. This is the number of American brothers and sisters who paid the ultimate price for the freedom we enjoy today. We should remember often the sacrifices made so we can enjoy so many privileges.
We should dwell even more on the most precious freedom ever known in human history. A more costly sacrifice was made that we might be free from the bondage of sin and its eternal consequences.
Through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ, God made our salvation possible. "There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1-2).
God loves every one of us so much, He offers freedom in Christ to anyone who is willing to believe and obey His will. Freedom is not without responsibility. Freedom is not void of law. Freedom is not without compliance to a higher authority. If God loved us enough to give us the means, by which we can be free from our sins, how much then should we demonstrate our love for Him through our obedience?
"We love Him because He first loved us" (1 John 4:19). But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him" (1 John 2:5).
“But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does" (James 1:25).
We have so many blessings and benefits as Americans. Living in such a great country, we have freedoms and privileges beyond measure. But living "in Christ" we have a much greater freedom, and so many valuable blessings and privileges that far surpass what we have as earthly citizens.
Only by abiding in Christ Jesus do we find the benefits His death on the cross made possible. Paul told the Ephesians, "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" (1:3). "For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1 ESV).
For Americans, thinking of our freedom this holiday weekend, will turn most everyone's mind to our nation's independence and freedom. We certainly appreciate this too. For the Christian, our minds focus on our freedom in Christ. How grateful we are for the wonderful gift of forgiveness He provided for us. May we express our joy every day as we think of His sacrifice and our freedom in Him.
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