Our Friday Devotion comes to us from Council Member, John Adams:
On this Fourth of July weekend, it is important to remember that it is only in and through Christ that we have real freedom.
Our founding fathers expressly recognized this in their Declaration that created this country:
"We hold these truths to be self-evident [obvious] that all men [women] are created [not evolved] equal and endowed by their Creator [capital "C" and not random chance] with certain inalienable rights, that among these being life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."
In our Lord's very first public pronouncement of His ministry and divine purpose, Jesus read from the prophet Isaiah:
"The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners [i.e., all of us as prisoners of sin and death] and recovery of sight for the blind [i.e., all of us who are blinded to the Truth of God] and to release the oppressed [again, all of us who are crushed by our sins], to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." Luke 4:18-19.
The Bible promises us that we will "...know the Truth [Christ] and the Truth [Jesus] will set us free" and that he who Jesus sets free, "is free indeed" [i.e., really, actually and unconditionally free].
It is no coincidence that two of the most fundamental rights guaranteed to Americans by the founding fathers were (1) the right of "freedom of speech" and (2) the right of the freedom of religion [i.e., to hold and express our faith].
Do not be deceived, the day that we can no longer freely proclaim our faith and belief in Christ and preach openly this "Good News" publicly - is the day this country will cease being free; and will most likely "...perish from the face of the earth" [Lincoln's Gettysburg Address].
So while we celebrate the Fourth of July, remember to praise and thank the One Who is the True freedom giver, the One Who is able to set you "free", regardless of what may be robbing you of your freedom and joy this day.
Have a blessed 4th and pray that God continues to bless (and forgive) our nation. [2 Chronicles 7:14].
John Adams
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment