As another Independence Day rolls around, it is time to reflect on exactly what that means. In the realm of spiritual things, it means that God gave us certain freedoms. He gave mankind the freedom to choose whom he will serve, freedom of how to serve and so forth.
One of the most near and dear freedoms that we have in this land is the freedom to worship God without persecution. Let us remember not to take that freedom for granted. People died so that we might have this dear freedom, and Christ died to save our immortal souls.
Does it matter to us that Jesus left Heaven and came here to live as one of us? Does it matter to us that He lived a perfect, sinless life here? Does it matter to us that Jesus sacrificed Himself for us on the cross so that we could have this independence and freedom from the slavery to sin?
“Yes” to all of the above; they matter. The real question, then, is “How much does it matter?” Does it matter enough to put Jesus Christ first in our lives (Matthew 6:33), to study His Word (2 Timothy 2:15), to pray always (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to take the Lord’s supper on the first day of the week (Acts 20:7), to give on the first day of the week (1 Corinthians 16:1-2) and to walk in the light (1 John 1:7)?
Does it matter enough to be faithful to death (Revelation 2:10)? Let’s challenge ourselves to think, to talk and to live in a way that shows full appreciation for the freedom we have in Christ.
