Freedom

So, today is Independence Day for myself and my fellow Americans. It's a time when we reflect with gratitude on the many freedoms that we enjoy in this country that people in many other countries don't have. We reflect on the sacrifices that the people who came before us made, and are still making so we could enjoy those freedoms.

We also barbecue. A lot. And shoot off fireworks. A lot. It's a total celebration.

Sunday was Freedom Sunday, and my pastor preached on the freedoms we have in Christ. He reminded us that those freedoms did not come without cost - the cost of Jesus' blood, and the sacrifices of our obedience.

Freedom isn't really free. Someone paid the price for it. Just as Jesus paid the price for our sins.

So often we want the freedoms without the sacrifice. We want to ride on the hard work of others. And in some cases, we're allowed. We don't have to pay for our sins. We have brave men and women who have fought and continue to fight for freedom.

But just because our freedom was given freely, that doesn't mean we don't have to fight for it. Every day. Satan does not like our freedom. He wants us to be bound. Slaves. To sin. To our flesh. And so we still have to fight for our freedom. Every day. But when we seek God, He will fight for us.

Sometimes, though we want the freedom without any sacrifice. Just like sometimes we want to be part of God's kingdom without putting in the work it takes. His salvation is free. And we can have salvation without doing anything beyond believing in Jesus and asking sincere forgiveness for our sins.

Or, we could go all in. We could believe and obey and sacrifice. And fight.

So, I challenge you to do 3 things that I've already done this week.

1) Reflect on the freedoms that you have in God, and thank Him for each one.

2) Reflect on Jesus' sacrifice so that we could all enjoy those freedoms

3) Ask God to help you identify areas where you are doing well and areas where you fall short; then ask Him to show you how you can improve.

Happy Independence Day to my fellow Americans!

And to my fellow Christians, remember: every day is independence day for us.

God bless y'all.