July 4, we celebrate Independence Day. But are we really free? Sure we can pray to whatever God we choose, we can say just about anything we want without fear of retribution, and we can carry guns on the street. Yet, how many of us are still imprisoned by our sins?
Drug addicts need to get that next fix. People who want the latest gadgets must work constantly to afford such luxuries. Teen girls purge themselves to look like models in the magazines. Does that sound like freedom to you?
Keeping up with the world will only keep you captive. The only true liberty in this world is the freedom Jesus offers. He gives you life with no addiction, with loving yourself as you are, with wanting to give to others instead of ourselves.
1 Corinthians 6:12 states, “I have the right to do anything,” you say—but not everything is beneficial. “I have the right to do anything”—but I will not be mastered by anything.
People who live in this country think they are entitled. They should have anything they desire without penalties. But there are consequences. Sex with too many partners gives you STD’s. Spending money on things when you can’t afford it makes you broke. Trying to fit in with certain people can lead to you disliking yourself and doing things you might not otherwise do.
Celebrate July 4, the day the United States became independent. But don’t fool yourself into thinking you’re free. If you have anything you focus on more than God, you are imprisoned and will be until you fix your eyes on Jesus.
Only then, can free people truly be free.
Thanks for reminding us there are consequences for our actions – it seems too easy in our world today to blame it on someone else. Maybe we should
change to “I have a right – to do what pleases God.”
Happy 4th of July!!!
Darlene,
I like that idea of “What pleases God.” It wasn’t that long ago that people wore bracelets with WWJD. Maybe we need to go back to that. Happy 4th to you too.