When you think of liberty, what symbols come to mind? I suspect your thoughts might include the Statue of Liberty or the Liberty Bell. Maybe you thought of the “Stars and Stripes” (our flag). But, what about the “scars and stripes” of our Savior, or the cross?
[Christ] Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-- by whose stripes you were healed. (1Pe 2:24 NKJ)
Now, I don’t mean to discount the price that was paid for our national freedom or say that we can’t celebrate Independence Day. It is a great privilege to worship freely! What I am saying is that, as we celebrate our American liberty, we should also celebrate our Christian liberty, and specifically, our freedom from the tyranny of sin. Remember the words of Jesus and James:
"The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." (Luke 4:18-19 ESV)
25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. (Jam 1:25 ESV)
Through Christ, we have been set free from the “arbitrary … control” of sin, but we are not truly independent. Instead, we are humbly dependent on God, who sustains us, gives us strength, and leads on the path of righteousness. May you follow that path of liberty and righteousness all the days of your life!
In His grip,
Pastor Decker
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