INDEPENDENCE DAY: But From What?

²⁰ Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, ²¹ the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. ²² For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time  (Romans 8:20-22)

Why do you celebrate the 4th of July, Independence Day?   Do you take great pride in those that have served and sacrificed so that we could enjoy the freedoms to believe whatever we want to believe.   The freedoms to live wherever our monies allow us to live?   The freedom from our 9-5, to enjoy time doing whatever we desire to do, even if that's absolutely nothing?  Is it freedom to live anyway we want to live such as: a constant drunken party, a promiscuous life, conservative or liberal life, an attempt to live a holy & honorable life, or a life of care-free wandering?   Whatever the reason, it shows.   It does if it's all about BBQ and Family, you do it BIG!  If it's about honoring the fallen and those serving you find yourself in front of tombstone or on your knees.   If it's about doing nothing, you strive and fight hard to not leave your bedroom or house.   If it's about partying, well you probably aren't even reading this because you may be either still knocked out, or hung under.

No matter why you celebrate, or what angle you approach the reason to celebrate our freedom is nothing to wink at.  Whether you are Canadian, Jewish, American, white, black, brown, or yellow we all are or have been enslaved before and believe it or not some of us still are.   TODAY IS INDEPENDENCE DAY and I ask simply " Independence from what?"   What is it that begs you being a day off work, to which you, me, we all should pause long enough to ask the question what have we been SET FREE from?  Who actually freed us?  and Let's give thanks to the ONE who sacrificed & bought our freedom.  Romans is a reminder that GOD desires for us is to live out our freedom in honor of the sacrifice that was made simply so that we could be free to enjoy this NEW LIFE in CHRIST, and honor Him with that freedom! 

No matter what side of the line you stand on.....we all want peace and harmony.  We all want to be able to enjoy the fruits of our labor.  We all want to be able to watch our children and grandchildren reach their fullest potential.  We all want to be able to enjoy life without worrying about cancer or worst.  None of us chose or wanted to be born into sin, but that's our reality, and the only way to look beyond ....is to set our eyes upon GOD who sent His Son to redeem us from our sinful nature, and while we all still struggle know that someday the struggle will be over.   We will be 100% free from the grip of sin and enjoy eternal, worshipful fellowship with Lamb.  SO TODAY, 1)LET'S PAUSE AND PRAISE GOD FOR OUR FREEDOM.   2) THANK GOD FOR THOSE THAT GAVE THEIR LIVES &  SERVE ACTIVELY for this FREEDOM.  3) Let's look to live our lives in total appreciation & gratitude with and towards others because of this GREAT GIFT!   LGLP

¹³ Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. ¹⁴ Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God’s grace.

¹⁵ Well then, since God’s grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! (Romans 6:13-15)

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