Memorial day weekend is just about here. The weather looks favorable. Many of us will be riding, I know we will!
And a word that will be tossed around quite a bit is "freedom". We hear a lot about how we are free in this country. I have to admit, most of the time I hear that word it goes along with, "We are free to do whatever we want. Free to say whatever we want. Free to worship as we please."
These things are good things, and yes we should be grateful.
But what did Jesus set us free from?
The word of God teaches, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." Gal 5:1(NIV)
Is this political freedom we are talking about? Or a type of bondage that goes far deeper?
"But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness." Romans 6:17 (NIV)
Living as Christians in this country we are truly not only free from sin but free to speak and worship as we please. But what are we called to do with that freedom? Do we use this to simply live a life focused on ourselves exercising our rights? Post whatever we want on Facebook and go to church on Sunday without fear of being arrested?
Is there more required of us?
"You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Gal 5:13-14 (NIV)
This weekend, when the word "freedom" gets tossed around, let's ask ourselves the deep question, "Do we use our freedom to serve ourselves, or to serve others?"
The sobering thought is this; with all this freedom we enjoy in this country, when I read the news I see a country in bondage to sin. This country is not experiencing the freedom that Jesus Christ offers. Our laws that protect our church doors from being closed are not going to do us a whole lot of good if no one cares to come inside and find Jesus.
It keeps coming back to our theme from Refuel. Love God, love people, do something about it.
We have work to do.
