On this Memorial Day, we stop to remember our freedom. As a follower of Christ, the term freedom brings two specific freedoms to mind. As you pause for one minute on this day, let me encourage you to potentially think about the following two freedoms we have as Americans who are also in Christ.
Freedom as US Citizens
On this Memorial Day, we need to remember all those who have fallen in service to our country. In many ways, not just them too, but also the sacrifice of their families who love and miss them. Men and women have served our country. They chose to fight for the freedom we enjoy each and every day. The beautiful freedom we enjoy came at a great price. Over 660,000 have given their lives in battle. Add another over 670,000 who have given their lives while in service to the nation. Each one’s life added to the cost of our freedom.
Thank you. For the families of those who have lost loved ones in service, our gratitude extends to you. We pray for your encouragement today as well.
Freedom as Redeemed Ones
Paul writes to us: “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
We have been called to freedom or liberty. What kind of freedom is this? Freedom from having to earn our salvation. God provides and protects our salvation in Christ. Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross fulfilled God’s requirements in every way such that when we ask God to forgive our sins, He does. As forgiven people, we do not have to use one joule of our energy to earn salvation or keep ourselves saved. Jesus handled the entire payment.
Similar to those who died to pay for our freedom as citizens of the US, Jesus died to satisfy the wrath of God and pay for our freedom as Christians. In this sense, freedom from having to procure or preserve our own salvation (cf., Eph 2:8-10).
We enjoy freedom to follow Jesus – not as one who is earning God’s pleasure in the rules we keep – but instead as one who chooses to glorify God in everything out of gratitude for Christ and concern for others (cf., 1 Cor 10:23-24, 31).
Today, we rejoice in our freedom as US citizens and our freedom as Christians.
If you missed your service this past weekend, here’s a link to my message from Sunday. We considered how to respond to days and seasons of suffering from the life of Job.
