Good Morning All,
I hope and pray everyone had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend; this is the time of year when we remember our men and women who have fought and died for the precious freedom we enjoy on a daily basis. Freedom that has been granted by God and given in America.
I for one am glad to be an American and grateful to be able to partake in the liberty that our Lord provides.
However, with freedom comes responsibility and with responsibility comes accountability. Charles Kingsley said: “There are two freedoms—the false, where a man is free to do what he likes; the true, where a man is free to do what he ought.” We have an obligation to uphold the freedom granted by God.
Galatians 5:13-15 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. (italics added)
Our liberty is fortified in love…Love, my friends has a greater power than one can imagine, for it was love that constrained Christ upon the cross, to give Himself a sacrifice that we may live. We are called to liberty by that love, the love Jesus had for us… This call unto liberty through the love of Christ guides us into our daily activities.
By it (love) we can exercise our service for one another (v.13b – “but by love serve one another.”). At the same time, our call unto liberty through the love of Christ we exercise our selflessness for one another (v.14 – Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.) Simply put, if we would treat others in same manner we would have them treat us, the world would be a better place. Lastly, this call unto liberty through the love of Christ allows us to exercise self-control toward one another (v.15 – But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.) It is much harder to criticize someone when you are looking for what is best for them…praying for them…helping them in the middle of their day.
Let us today, as we remember the great things our soldiers have performed in protecting our God granted liberty, purpose to exercise that love that was so greatly exercised toward us by Jesus Christ’s wonderful sacrifice on the Cross. Our sweet salvation cost us nothing, yet cost Him everything. Therefore, we can today, reveal that same type of love toward others by remembering the sacrifice, rendering the service in recognizing the Savior during our daily actions one toward another. Paul said: “Let love be without dissimulation…” Romans 12:9 We only have today, to show the love of Christ to those around us and those in the world. There may be someone you are involved with, or close to who has never truly seen or experienced love that is without dissimulation (sincere, pure or unfeigned). Given the opportunity this day, exercise that love in utilizing the great freedom we have, both in Christ and our country. You never know, it may be the only time in their life, where real sacrificial agape love is expressed.
This is the liberty we have as Americans and much more as Christians…But remember, with liberty comes responsibility and responsibility requires accountability:
Liberty is to be labored for…or it will be lost…Liberty is to be exercised or it will be excised…Liberty is to be grateful for, or one day it will be gone.
Today in History:
1787 – The Constitutional Convention opens in Philadelphia after reaching a quorum of seven states.
1935 – Babe Ruth hits the of his 714 home runs.
1961 – President John F. Kennedy as the nation to commit itself to the goal of landing a man on the moon before the decade is out.
1968 – The Gateway Arch in St. Louis is dedicated.
1977 – Star Wars, one of the most popular movies of all time, opens.
2008 – The Phoenix spacecraft lands on Mars to search for evidence of microbial life in its soil.
Til the Shout,
Dr. B.J. Stagner Jr.
Pastor
New Testament Baptist Church
No comments:
Post a Comment