We have just passed a national holiday that reminds us of the great cost of the freedom we enjoy as citizens of our country. It is good for us to stop and reflect that those things we tend to take for granted do come at a great price. A lot of blood, sweat, and tears were given so that we might enjoy many of the things we enjoy in the year of our Lord 2019.
I for one would not want to live in another time or in another place. I feel blessed to have been born in the country in which I was born at the time of history in which I was born. We do have a lot that many others only dream about. There are times to consider our earthly citizenship and give thanks.
There are also times to consider our heavenly citizenship and give even greater thanks. I wonder if we take the freedom that we have found in Jesus Christ for granted? In some ways every day should be a thanksgiving unto God for all that we have received and have been blessed with. But most of all, we ought to give thanks for the freedom from sin.
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery…For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ But if you bite and devour one another, watch out that you are not consumed by one another.” Galatians 5:1, 13-15
As we have been set free from the bondage of sin, let us not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Let us not use that freedom in Christ as an opportunity for the flesh. Instead, by showing love, may others see hope and find true freedom in Christ.