By John Chamness
July 4th, Independence Day is a day in which we celebrate the foundation of our nation and the freedom we have as Americans. “Freedom” is a word that is indelibly printed on the minds of most Americans.
War efforts and sending loved ones off to military service to defend our freedoms bring the thought of freedom powerfully to our minds. In terms of this nation, we have many freedoms. Most of them we take for granted, like going to church, driving a car, having a garage sale, or choosing a president. In many places in our world those freedoms are not available.
Think of the price paid to give us those freedoms. Many left their families and the world they knew to search for a new home. Soldiers have fought for our independence to preserve freedom for us and others. Many gave their lives.
What have we done with our freedom? Do we take our freedom to go to church for granted by not going? Do we take for granted our freedom to elect a president or our representatives by not voting? Let’s honor the price paid by so many by using all our freedoms.
There is a built in threat when people are free to choose. Alexander Fraser Tyler (1748-1813) said: “A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the voters discover that they can vote themselves money from the Public Treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates promising the most benefits from the Public Treasury with a result that a democracy always collapses over loose fiscal policy followed by dictatorship. The average age of the world’s greatest civilizations has been 200 years. These nations have progressed through the following sequence:
From bondage to spiritual faith;
From spiritual faith to great courage;
From great courage to liberty;
From liberty to abundance;
From abundance to selfishness;
From selfishness to complacency;
From complacency to apathy;
From apathy to dependency;
From dependency back into bondage.
This is the story of American democracy today!
That line of thinking leads us to another price paid for an even greater freedom; Jesus Christ paid for our freedom from sin. What have we done with that freedom? 1 Peter 2:16-17 says; “[Live] As free [men], and not using your liberty for a cloke of maliciousness, but as the servants of God. Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honour the King.” Notice here, “King” spelled with a capital “K” referring to the King of kings.
In the church world, the word “freedom” is most usually expressed with a different term: “salvation.”
Today’s message is about “Salvation,” or “Freedom.”
Acts 2:21 says “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
There is hope for deliverance from the consequences of sin and death. Romans 6:23 declares; “For the wages of sin is death,” it concludes, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” True freedom is eternal life.
Although every one of us deserves bondage and death, through Jesus we can receive the gift of eternal life.
Will you look with me at this wonderful plan of salvation? Look into the Gospel, God’s good news of “FREEDOM.”
The word “Gospel” literally means “good news.” And the good news it refers to is the salvation freedom that is available to all people.
There is one way to receive true freedom and salvation; through Jesus Christ. The tolerant or politically correct position takes this stand: “All paths lead ultimately to God.” A Christian has no common ground with this view, and will almost always be seen as narrow-minded, inflexible, and even called a religious bigot.
And you know what? When it comes to freedom and salvation, we are because Matthew 7:14 says, “Because strait is the gate and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” On eternal life, eternal freedom, eternal destiny, we dare not bend. It’s heaven or hell, freedom or judgment, which is your choice?
Won’t you confess Jesus Christ is your Savior and receive Him and be free, today?
Rev. Dr. John I Chamness is pastor of the Family Worship Center A/G in Chester. He may be reached by phone at 573-547-7634 or by email at johnchamness@att.net.
