Are we free?
John 8:36
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.
Today, we celebrate Independence Day or as more commonly referred to, the 4th of July. This holiday is in honor of the signing of the declaration of independence. Congress voted in favor of independence from Great Britain on July 2nd but did not complete the process of revising the Declaration of Independence until two days later. Hence, we were no longer under the rule of the King, but rather, we are a free nation.
Even today, we still talk about being a free nation, for we are not under a dictator or king. However, when we look across our landscape in this country, we need to realize we are not truly free. Oh yes, we have freedoms in which many people of nations long, but we still see people in bondage.
This past week, I read an article which said Green Bay is putting Narcan dispensing kits in various city offices to fight opioid abuse. The mayor is quoted saying “The public health threat possessed by fentanyl and other opioids is real and growing, and it’s important for us all to do our part to prevent overdose deaths among our citizens.”
The mayor says the problem is growing. However, we will celebrate our freedom today? This is bondage, not freedom. Sure, we have freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom to vote for who we choose. Yet so many are not free, they are under the bondage of drugs, alcohol, depression, gambling and nicotine.
John 10:10
The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy. Want to know what is the influence of something? Does it steal, kill and destroy? If so, it’s not of God. God comes to bring life. How many have had their lives cut short because of drugs? How many have had their marriages stolen because of alcohol? How many have been killed due to the effects of all these bondages?
We need to remember the devil deceives and lies. He will get us to view following Christ as bondage, such as you poor Christian, you can’t do this or that, you have to go to Church, you have to this or that. When you are obedient to God, it is true freedom in which you live. For the true follower of Christ isn’t in bondage to drugs, nicotine, alcohol, depression, anger, but rather set free. This is why Jesus said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.”
Psalm 32:1-2
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
The enemy wants you to believe those that follow Jesus truly by His Word are miserable, but don’t listen to that liar. It’s the ones who follow the devil’s devices that are the struggling, his followers are the ones in bondage. Rather, how happy is the one who is forgiven. How happy is the one who the LORD does not hold their sins against them because they have been washed in the blood of the lamb. How happy is the one who can sleep sound at night with no regrets. How happy is theone who has peace which surpasses all understanding. How happy is the one whom the son has set free indeed.
Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
This year as the United States celebrates their freedom, while ignoring the fact they are in bondage to many devices, do you want to taste true freedom? Jesus is standing at the door of your heart and knocking. Are you going to open up and allow obedience to His Word enter your life?
