Freedom

Today is July 4th. A historic day, the day of our nation's independence from Britain. I have a feeling the first several 4th of July's were emotional for those who celebrated them. The early settlers understood what it meant to be free. Freedom to pursue their unalienable rights, that among these are, Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. My entire life I have enjoyed these freedoms. Freedom is all I have ever known, the cost of that freedom rarely enters my mind. The founding fathers and early settlers of our country knew freedom came at a cost, blood. Many men and women have given their lives to ensure that I am free. Today, there are men and women in Iraq, Afghanistan, and other unknown locations, willing to shed their blood to protect my freedom. Not just my freedom, but freedom for my children, grandchildren and the many generations to come. I am grateful for my freedom and I am grateful to the many men and women who have fought to secure it.

There is one who shed His blood so I could enjoy another kind of freedom, freedom in Christ. But unlike the freedom I enjoy as an American, where blood has to be shed over and over to ensure my freedom, Christ died ONCE. His sacrifice, His blood that was shed on the cross guarantees my freedom and the freedom for all generations past, present and future.

Oh precious is the flow that makes me white as snow
No other fount I know, nothing but the blood of Jesus.

The blood of Jesus ransomed me from the slavery of sin.
The blood of Jesus rescued me from the consequences of my sin, eternal damnation.
The blood of Jesus makes me as white as snow, righteous in the sight of God.
The blood of Jesus secures my salvation.

While America has continued to fight when a new foe has risen to threaten our freedom, the blood shed by Christ and His resurrection has FOREVER defeated our spiritual enemy, Satan. Our enemy has been defeated, Jesus is the victor. There is no need for any further blood shed. Jesus has won! My salvation is secure! I have no reason to fear, no reason to question, no reason to worry. I have chosen to put Christ on as my savior and as a result I get to enjoy the freedoms of being in Christ and no one, nothing can ever take them away.

It is a great day to be an American and to be a child of God!
Freedom that should be cherished not just today, but everyday!