Celebrating Freedom

​For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  Galatians 5:13

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250 years of this great American experiment.  A quarter of a millenia of freedom to worship, to celebrate, to vote, and to speak freely without fear.  I have a feeling that this year’s 4th of July celebration in Columbus will fill the sky with even more fireworks (if possible), our grills with more steaks, burgers, and hotdogs, and our hearts with thankfulness for the great freedoms we enjoy.  As it should.  We give thanks to our God for the freedom we enjoy in this great country!

This idea of freedom was not something new to the Founding Fathers.  The Apostle Paul wrote about freedom in Galatians 5.  Not the freedom from an oppressive nation, but freedom from something worse.  Freedom not only from the slavery caused by sin, but also from the slavery caused by legalism, the idea that we can free ourselves by following God’s law perfectly.  While legalism might sound like a great idea as we have the opportunity to control our own destiny, it always will fall short because WE fall short.  We are unable to do those very things we desire to do (see Romans 7).  

True freedom comes from outside of us.  We receive it by the grace of the Father by faith in what He has done to make us right with Him through Jesus Christ.  Because of Jesus we are free from the guilt of sin and the demands of the law.

Yet this freedom does not come without responsibility.  We are called to use our freedom to serve one another through love - love that flows from faith.  Our freedom isn’t for us, it is for the good of others!

So this Independence Day, celebrate!  Light those fireworks!  Eat those steaks and burgers!  Give thanks to our God for this great country!  Use the freedom God has given to you, not to do what you want, but to serve others with the grace and love God has shown to you!

In His Peace,
Pastor Burma