July 4th: A day of freedom or liberty?

So another Fourth of July is upon America. We commemorate this special day with fireworks and festivities to remember how America came to be and the battles our heroes have fought to preserve this great place and our freedoms.

We’ve often come to the brink of almost losing our nation. Those who would destroy it are in my opinion cut from the same cloth as Satan himself. I’m convinced that only by the grace of God does America still stand.

When the early pioneers and settlers on our shores first left their homeland in England, where a despotic king usurped God’s authority and subsequently did not fulfill his duties as a good king and left them no choice but to leave, they came to found a nation in which all people were acknowledged as being equal. Our founding documents declare that upon a Creator, all men have the privilege of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The question to ask is:  What is liberty? Are we really free in America?

The question of the difference between liberty and freedom may be subtle but it’s there. One would say, of course, we’re free. Do you see any slaves anymore? Is there tyranny from a despotic king on the throne, throwing his weight around to usurp anyone’s rights to life, liberty or the pursuit of happiness?

Of course not. In America, we have freedoms that other countries only dream about. However, while in America today, many citizens are still enslaved. They still have masters who control them.

The master of sin is Satan himself who is way more wise than a tyrannical king and doubly menacing. His ways are not always obvious but more so insidious.

Until we come to terms with our lives with regard to who is in control of them, we will continue to be enslaved by the members of our own bodies.

Jesus, the Lord and Savior of the universe, is the true and only living king who gives us not only life but liberty.  We may have freedom in America, but we are only truly free and in liberty when we have Jesus on the throne of our lives.

“…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty”  – 2 Corinthians 3:17

“ ‘If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free’” – John 8:31-32

“‘So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed” – John 8:36

“It was for freedom that Christ set us free; therefore keep standing firm and do not be subject again to a yoke of slavery” – Galatians 5:1

“For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God”  – Romans 8:19-21