Woodstock Christian Church

On July 4th the USA celebrates what we call “Independence Day.' It was on that day (or at least around that day) that our founding father's declared their independence from England . That wonderful document came at the beginning of the Revolutionary War (1775 – 1783) or the War for American Independence – a hard fought battle to gain the freedoms pronounced in that document. It was a battle or war that, on paper, gave us no chance of success. Britain was known for its strong navy and soldiers. We had neither until that engagement wherein the Continental Army was established (1775). But we did indeed win that war – but did we win it or did God win it for us?

While there are those who want to talk about that war in very negative terms, it did lead to the USA being a separate, independent nation. We have been blessed by God to become the great nation that we are. When we leave God out of that history (which many text books today do), when we leave God out of our government (which many politicians do and the ACLU fights to do), when we leave God our of our daily lives (which far too many do) we cannot expect to continue to receive God's blessings. God loves to give blessings to His people. But His people have always had to act like His people to continue to receive those blessings. Israel failed to do so and He withdrew His blessings. The seven churches in Revelation 2 & 3 were told to hear the Word, and repent or have their lampstand (their very existence) removed.

We should celebrate (really in a more real, meaningful way) our independence as a nation. The freedoms we have are special and should be cherished. They should be enjoyed and never taken for granted. Such freedoms are the envy of many – that is why so many want to come here. Such freedoms are also precious in that they can be lost or taken away. We need to continue to pray for “kings and those in authority” as the New Testament teaches us. The NT does not teach Christians to have any form of separation of church and state. Our beliefs (whether conservative, moderate or liberal) impact all of our lives, all of our politics. We must not take off our garments of righteousness before we enter the voting booth or before we pray for our country.

And as Christians we have freedom as well. In Christ we have been set free. In and through the Holy Spirit we have liberty. We are free from the power of sin (though it still works on all of us every day). We are free from the guilt of sin through the sacrifice of Christ. We are free to come into the presence of God in worship and in prayer. We are free from having to keep the Law and earn salvation by our works. The word of God which is the truth, sets us free. We are free from the human labels of male and female, slave or freedman. We are to be free from the love of money – though many have not accepted or gained that freedom. So we should enjoy these freedoms. In Christ we are free indeed. It is real freedom, spiritual freedom. If we use that freedom properly (fighting again sin, Romans 6:11 ) we will be eternally free.

But the New Testament is very clear (to all who will read it without coming to it with preconceived theology and understandings) that we can lose this freedom. We can return to slavery (Galatians 5:1). We can use God's gift of grace as a means to return to evil or cover our evil, which displeases God (Galatians 5:13 ; I Peter 2:16 ). Some preachers have promised freedom while actually being enslaved to sin (2 Peter 2:19 ).

So let's pray that we as citizens of the USA will never be enslaved and lose our freedoms won at the cost of millions of lives. Let's also pray that as Christians we will seek to be “faithful until death” (Revelation 2:10 ). Let us seek to never be one who “denies Me (Christ) before men” (Matthew 10:33 ).

As American Christians we have double freedom. Let us seek to use those freedoms to their fullest and greatest potential. As we do that we can be……

Together For Him,

Lynn