Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
This week we celebrate the day of Independence, or as we called it when I was out on the farm,
the 4th of July. Either way, it's a great day with a great message.
We're free. We thank God for our liberty. Liberty gained at the price paid by men and
women with their lives.
So we celebrate the four freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from
fear, freedom from want. Yes, we thank God for our freedoms. And yet, you know what?
We may have all these freedoms and yet not be free.
For instance, we may not be free from hatred or unforgiveness that gnaws on us day and
night. We may not be free from some habit that causes us to lose our dignity or our
self worth. We may not be free from envy and covetousness that eateth our soul like a canker.
We may not be free from the fear of dying and the unknown. We may not be free from the
*** of flesh that burns within us.
You bet, we have the four freedoms but in reality we're the bondservant of some sinner's
sins. That's where the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ comes in. Listen to what Jesus
tells us in John 8:36 If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
It's the freedom of the soul set free, and out of that freedom in Christ comes freedom
from the burden of sin. Freedom from the awful bondage of unforgiveness. Freedom from a loose,
gossipy old tongue set on fire of hell. Freedom from degrading habits, and freedom from the
fear of death and the beyond.
Freedom, well I guess. And then add to that to the wonderful peace of God that passes
all understanding that keeps our hearts and our minds. Philippians 4:7
Friend, I ask you, are you really free? Is your soul set free? Remember, if the Son shall
set you free, you shall be free indeed.
But, you ask, how does He do that...how does He set me free? Listen to the gospel: whosoever
shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
How do you call on the name of the Lord? Just bow your head and tell Him you're not free.
Really, that you have lots of sins. Tell Him you're sorry for your sins, and ask Him to
come into your heart and take away those sins. Then promise to serve Him the best you can.
God promises us that if we confess our sins, He's faithful and just to forgive us our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9
As a 10 year old boy, I prayed that prayer and Jesus has been with me, Praise God, for
over 80 years. So, pray it yourself and have a good 4th of July.