Free Citizens!

I enjoy living in a free country. Here in the United States of America we have FREEDOMS not all enjoy in other places of the world. We have the FREEDOM to speak our convictions either verbally or in print. When we vote, we have the FREEDOM to mark our ballots according to our convictions. We enjoy the FREEDOM to worship according to the authority of the Scriptures without government intervention. And though we may feel at times these FREEDOMS are being threatened to one degree or another, they are presently FREEDOMS we do possess.

Though the above mentioned FREEDOMS (as well as others) are guaranteed by our Constitution, just living in this country does not mean complete FREEDOM. There are still those who would like to experience FREEDOM from poverty or to be able to be debt FREE. Others desire FREEDOM from pain they are having to endure. There are also those who desire FREEDOM from oppressive relationships. And the list goes on. Perhaps you can think of some other specific area where you do not have the FREEDOM you desire.
However, are we able to feel blessed by the FREEDOMS we do enjoy?

Enjoying a sense of FREEDOM is a cherished thing. Nevertheless, as great and wonderful as any of the above mentioned FREEDOMS might be there is a greater need mankind has often been too slow to recognize. The greatest oppression mankind faces is that of sin. In fact it appears the very FREEDOM this country offers has done a lot to allow sin to flourish. The real challenge is that many don’t recognize how enslaved or oppressed they are by sin.

Jesus came to provide us with the greatest FREEDOM available. As citizens in His kingdom we are able to enjoy a sense of FREEDOM no earthly government can ever provide. It is a FREEDOM that can be gained even by those living under the authority of an oppressive government.

Paul encouraged…
“(1) There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. (2) For the law of the Spirit of life has SET YOU FREE IN CHRIST JESUS FROM THE LAW OF SIN AND DEATH.” ( Romans 8:1-2 ESV)

In Christ we have FREEDOM from sin, from death (eternal separation from God), and the wrath of God we would otherwise be under. This is a FREEDOM which ought to fill us with a great sense of peace as well as thanksgiving to the One Who has secured it for us. It is FREEDOM established much earlier than 1776. Nearly two thousand years ago Jesus went to the cross to make it possible to free us from the bondage to sin. He is the One who has powerfully provided the removal of condemnation for those who become united with Him.

There may be some worldly FREEDOMS we will never enjoy. However, let us be sure we have sought out the greatest FREEDOM we could possibly experience. It is a FREEDOM bought and paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord.

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