Today our nation will celebrate Independence day. The time when our forefather's stood up and said, "No longer will be held under the thumb of a corrupt ruler and system. We will declare our independence to choose our own destiny...to live under a system of government that was given by the people, of the people and for the people.
Today we should also give heed to another independence that was given to us. We did not have to fight for it, or go to war. The independence I speak of was provided to all by and event that took place outside the city of Jerusalem and ended with an empty tomb. The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ didn't just shape the destiny of a country. It affected the entire world as generation after generation were afforded to freedom that can only come through the shed blood of Christ.
Christ not only paid a sin-debt you and I owed but brought us into a new way of living that the world can never truly understand. Jesus empowered us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit so that we could move through this sinful word and not be tainted again by the stain of sin. You will never hear the kingdom of Satan speak of "Forgiveness"..."Repentance"....."Mercy"....or "Grace". Such things are foreign to our enemy. They rely on guilt, shame, depression, painful memories of our past. If they can keep our thoughts and mind anchored in such muck and mire, then they can stop us from chasing and following Jesus.
We read in Galatians 5:1- "Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage."
The first thing that catches my eye in the verse from Galatians, is that it is Christ who has MADE US FREE. He didn't just offer us freedom. He did a work that went beyond our outward behavior, and changed our very heart and the way we view life. His freedom is unlike anything this world has seen. But there is also a warning if we are not vigilant in keeping our freedom. We are not to be entangled...tied us...wrangled by sin again. We keep watch over our thoughts and our heart, making sure that we are focused on Christ. There are only two yokes in this old world. #1 - Satan's yoke that he will use to guide you to destruction. A yoke that is heavy and will beat you to the ground.....and #2 - The yoke of Christ which is light and easy to carry...no burden at all. I think I would choose the second one.
So on this day of celebration of our independence, make sure you take the time to think on what Christ has done for each of us that has afforded us a life now (and after we pass from this world).
Think on these things...
God on you...
michael b.
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