True Independence!
July 4th marks the date, in 1776, on which the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring our freedom from England and our determination to be a free and sovereign nation. Accordingly, we celebrate July 4th as Independence Day.
For 244 years the United States of America has stood as a symbol of freedom to oppressed peoples around the globe. Moreover, we have repeatedly defended not only our freedom from oppressors, but that of other nations, as well.
Unfortunately, we have experienced freedom for so long that many of us take it for granted. We would be wise to remember that our nation was not always free, that winning (and preserving) our independence has cost the lives of thousands of men and women, and that there are no guarantees that we will always be free.
As meaningful as Independence Day is, it pales in comparison with another “Independence Day" that occurs when a sinner hears and believes the gospel of Christ, and submits to Jesus as Lord. By publicly confessing Christ as God's Son (Matt. 10:32), repenting of sin (Acts 17:30) and being baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3), the blood of Jesus cleanses him from the guilt of his sins (Acts 22:16). He is then SET FREE from the condemnation of sin (John 8:32).
Moreover, he is no longer the slave of the cruelest, most ruthless tyrant of all - the devil (Rom. 6:16). In fact, he is “delivered…from the power of darkness and conveyed… into the kingdom of the Son” (Col. 1:13). As long as he remains faithful to Christ, he is assured of eternal life in heaven (Romans 6:22; Revelation 2:10).
That is independence in the truest sense. Have YOU been set free from your sins by the blood of Jesus? If not, then why not obey the gospel TODAY, and cast off the shackles of sin?
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
July 4th marks the date, in 1776, on which the founding fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring our freedom from England and our determination to be a free and sovereign nation. Accordingly, we celebrate July 4th as Independence Day.
For 244 years the United States of America has stood as a symbol of freedom to oppressed peoples around the globe. Moreover, we have repeatedly defended not only our freedom from oppressors, but that of other nations, as well.
Unfortunately, we have experienced freedom for so long that many of us take it for granted. We would be wise to remember that our nation was not always free, that winning (and preserving) our independence has cost the lives of thousands of men and women, and that there are no guarantees that we will always be free.
As meaningful as Independence Day is, it pales in comparison with another “Independence Day" that occurs when a sinner hears and believes the gospel of Christ, and submits to Jesus as Lord. By publicly confessing Christ as God's Son (Matt. 10:32), repenting of sin (Acts 17:30) and being baptized into Christ (Romans 6:3), the blood of Jesus cleanses him from the guilt of his sins (Acts 22:16). He is then SET FREE from the condemnation of sin (John 8:32).
Moreover, he is no longer the slave of the cruelest, most ruthless tyrant of all - the devil (Rom. 6:16). In fact, he is “delivered…from the power of darkness and conveyed… into the kingdom of the Son” (Col. 1:13). As long as he remains faithful to Christ, he is assured of eternal life in heaven (Romans 6:22; Revelation 2:10).
That is independence in the truest sense. Have YOU been set free from your sins by the blood of Jesus? If not, then why not obey the gospel TODAY, and cast off the shackles of sin?
Jesus, always Jesus!
Dennis
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