Freedom in the Lord
You are an heir to freedom if you know the Lord. This is and has been a distinguishing characteristic of being American. From the time of the first settlers in Fort Caroline, Jamestown, and Plymouth, American soil has been home to Christians who sought to practice their religion free from persecution and to evangelize Native Americans. They well knew the cost of being Christian as well as the price for freedom. The ideal of Americanism was found within the hearts and souls of these pioneers with great understanding of natural rights endowed by God that they may live free, have free enterprise, worship freely and speak freely. As Jesus said in John 8:36, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
God is the essence of freedom. Jesus explained in John 8:34-35, “…Whosever commits sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abides not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever.” In this we see that only through Jesus can we be free from sin. The Apostle Paul further explains in Galatians that we are not of the bondwoman (the line of Ismael), “Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free (vs 4:30-31). Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
Such freedom comes at an earthly cost. Jesus died for it. Paul notes this freedom in Christ in Ephesians 5:8, “Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man does, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.” Paul points out that our real Master is in heaven. He then urges us “Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” In verses 19-20, he says, “And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”
To exercise our freedom in Christ we must “stand against the wiles of the devil” and “speak boldly” as we ought to speak. Freedom in Christ and speaking the gospel boldly are firmly instructed in the Holy Scriptures, AND also found in our Constitution’s First Amendment guarantee. Our government was built upon the foundation of religious freedom and free speech. This is unique to any other form of government. Socialism, Communism, Statism, Dictatorships, etc., seek to have government replace God as the provider of rights to the governed. This is against God, and those who promote it are sinning against God. Your heritage in Christ is one of freedom from bondage, know it, speak it, and stand for it.
Have a Blessed and Powerful Day!
