On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from England and Democracy was born. The 4th of July is Independence Day where we celebrate the freedoms we enjoy in this country.
But the sad fact is that we are less free than we think. There are many people in the U.S. that are in bondage (not physical, but spiritual).
The quest for freedom is high on most people's agenda today, and it has also been one of the main threads of human history. We speak of freedom in many ways...personal freedom, freedom of speech and association, academic freedom, free trade, freedom of the press. We also talk about individual liberties, liberation theology, and religious liberty.
Other basic freedoms often discussed include freedom from want, fear or interference, and freedom of choice, conscience or opportunity. Common phrases that sum up many people's attitudes toward freedom include "doing your own thing," "going your own way," or "it's up to you (or me)." Recently, in one year alone more than one thousand books contained the word freedom in their titles.
I thank God for America, but when I look at the news or read our headlines, I see people who are in bondage to sin. Some people do not even realize it.
Edward Gibbon, author of "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", has attributed the fall of the Empire to:
1. The rapid increase of divorce; the undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis of human society.
2. Higher and higher taxes and the spending of public monies for free bread and circuses for the populace.
3. The mad craze for pleasure; sports becoming every year more exciting and more brutal.
4. The building of gigantic armaments when the real enemy was within, the decadence of the people.
5. The decay of religion--faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life and becoming impotent to warn and guide the people.
Sin has a way of enslaving us, controlling us, dominating us, and dictating our actions.
Many people view Christianity as restrictive and full of rules and regulations that you have to follow. But in reality, the "fun" that people are having out in the world is really spiritual bondage.
People think that it's fun to get drunk at parties, get high and lose control, sleep around with lots of people, having secret affairs, mistreating people, etc.
The reason that sin seems fun is because it feels good to the flesh. But bondage happens when our flesh needs to be satisfied. And sin never really satisfied; therefore you must continuously feed its appetite.
Jesus can free you from this slavery that keeps you from becoming the person God created you to be. If sin is restraining, mastering, or enslaving you, Jesus can break its power over your life.
Christ died to set us free from sin and from a long list of laws and regulations. Christ came to set us free...not free to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our selfish desires.
Rather, thanks to Christ, we are now free and able to do what was impossible before...to live unselfishly. Those who appeal to their freedom so that they can have their own way or indulge their own desires are falling back into sin.
True freedom is to become all that Christ intended. Christ freed us from the bondage and guilt of sin so that we can live abundantly, love others, and shares the Good News of Jesus Christ.
But it is also wrong to put a burden of law keeping on Christians. We must stand against those who would enslave us with rules, methods, or special conditions for being saved or growing in Christ.
Galatians 5:1,13 (NIV): "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."
Paul distinguishes between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Freedom or license to sin is no freedom at all, because it enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own sinful nature. Christians, by contrast, should not be slaves to sin, because they are free to do right and to glorify God through loving service to others.
John 8:34-36 (NIV): "Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'"
But the sad fact is that we are less free than we think. There are many people in the U.S. that are in bondage (not physical, but spiritual).
The quest for freedom is high on most people's agenda today, and it has also been one of the main threads of human history. We speak of freedom in many ways...personal freedom, freedom of speech and association, academic freedom, free trade, freedom of the press. We also talk about individual liberties, liberation theology, and religious liberty.
Other basic freedoms often discussed include freedom from want, fear or interference, and freedom of choice, conscience or opportunity. Common phrases that sum up many people's attitudes toward freedom include "doing your own thing," "going your own way," or "it's up to you (or me)." Recently, in one year alone more than one thousand books contained the word freedom in their titles.
I thank God for America, but when I look at the news or read our headlines, I see people who are in bondage to sin. Some people do not even realize it.
Edward Gibbon, author of "The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire", has attributed the fall of the Empire to:
1. The rapid increase of divorce; the undermining of the dignity and sanctity of the home, which is the basis of human society.
2. Higher and higher taxes and the spending of public monies for free bread and circuses for the populace.
3. The mad craze for pleasure; sports becoming every year more exciting and more brutal.
4. The building of gigantic armaments when the real enemy was within, the decadence of the people.
5. The decay of religion--faith fading into mere form, losing touch with life and becoming impotent to warn and guide the people.
Sin has a way of enslaving us, controlling us, dominating us, and dictating our actions.
Many people view Christianity as restrictive and full of rules and regulations that you have to follow. But in reality, the "fun" that people are having out in the world is really spiritual bondage.
People think that it's fun to get drunk at parties, get high and lose control, sleep around with lots of people, having secret affairs, mistreating people, etc.
The reason that sin seems fun is because it feels good to the flesh. But bondage happens when our flesh needs to be satisfied. And sin never really satisfied; therefore you must continuously feed its appetite.
Jesus can free you from this slavery that keeps you from becoming the person God created you to be. If sin is restraining, mastering, or enslaving you, Jesus can break its power over your life.
Christ died to set us free from sin and from a long list of laws and regulations. Christ came to set us free...not free to do whatever we want because that would lead us back into slavery to our selfish desires.
Rather, thanks to Christ, we are now free and able to do what was impossible before...to live unselfishly. Those who appeal to their freedom so that they can have their own way or indulge their own desires are falling back into sin.
True freedom is to become all that Christ intended. Christ freed us from the bondage and guilt of sin so that we can live abundantly, love others, and shares the Good News of Jesus Christ.
But it is also wrong to put a burden of law keeping on Christians. We must stand against those who would enslave us with rules, methods, or special conditions for being saved or growing in Christ.
Galatians 5:1,13 (NIV): "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love."
Paul distinguishes between freedom to sin and freedom to serve. Freedom or license to sin is no freedom at all, because it enslaves you to Satan, others, or your own sinful nature. Christians, by contrast, should not be slaves to sin, because they are free to do right and to glorify God through loving service to others.
John 8:34-36 (NIV): "Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever. So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.'"
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