Henderson Daily Dispatch submission for July 2, 2011
Freedom. A value celebrated in these United States of America on July 4th, our country’s Independence Day, with fireworks, parades, hamburgers, hot dogs, and gatherings of families and friends. The red, white, and blue will fly high. Patriotism will peak. Freedom will be celebrated.
“With freedom comes responsibility,” said Eleanor Roosevelt. Freedom offers the opportunity to make choices. It provides a sense of independence; yet, with freedom comes a great weight. What will you do with that freedom? What will do with those choices?
God offered his created beings Adam and Eve free will. With free will they made they choice to disobey eating the forbidden fruit. Their freedom to chose got them kicked out of the Garden of Eden.
God’s gift of freedom is seen no greater than the freedom offered in following Jesus Christ. Christ’s sacrifice on the cross freed humanity from the law. The majority of Christian practice proclaims it is by grace we are saved for we are free from the law. Following Christ provides a new freedom and a new opportunity with new responsibility. THis freedom is opportunity to love one another Paul says. Don’t indulge yourself on selfish impulses. Don’t’ abuse your freedom. (Galatians 2:13)
Christ’s invitation to follow him is an invitation. No pressure. Your choice. Will you follow? If you choose to follow then self desires will be replaced by the way of the Spirit. Paul continues in Galatians 2:
I say be guided by the Spirit and you won’t carry out your selfish desires. A person’s selfish desires are set against the Spirit, and the Spirit is set against one’s selfish desires. They are opposed to each other, so you shouldn’t do whatever you want to do. But if you are being led by the Spirit, you aren’t under the Law. The actions that are produced by selfish motives are obvious, since they include sexual immorality, moral corruption, doing whatever feels good, idolatry, drug use and casting spells, hate, fighting, obsession, losing your temper, competitive opposition, conflict, selfishness, group rivalry, jealousy, drunkenness, partying, and other things like that. I warn you as I have already warned you, that those who do these kinds of things won’t inherit God’s kingdom. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. (Galatians 2:16-23a, Common English Bible)
This Independence Day celebrate the freedom offered by Jesus Christ. Moreover, consider how you will live free. Will you do harm or show love? Will you indulge in selfish ways or honor the one who gave you freedom? Give him all your worship and you will be free.