Independence Day in Amarillo

Here is the beginning of the Preamble of the Declaration of Independence, whose drafting and signing we Americans celebrate today:

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator  with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.

I give thanks to my Creator today for the amazing liberties I enjoy in the greatest nation on Earth.  While doing this, I realize that most Christians throughout history have lived under the grinding boot oppression, persecution, and tyranny.  Things are changing in our country, however.  We are less free, less prosperous and less industrious than past generations.  If this pattern continues, future Americans may enjoy even less liberty than they do now. 

The lesson to American Christians in the future may be to continue exercising freedom of worship and conscience without the protection of the State; relying only on God's Grace.  If that happens, I pray that every Christian will take courage and obey God rather than any human institution.

This is also a day on which I reflect on another kind of freedom I enjoy--freedom in Christ:

Romans 6:22-23 NKJV  But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.  23  For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Law of Sin and Death holds every sinner captive; the payment for sin is death.  When we accept God's grace, we are set free from our original sentence and given the hope of an eternal life, living as God would have us live.

Our response to this gift should never be selfish, but grateful to God.  We should live a life in freedom as a willing slave to God, and not to our own desires.  Part of this life means producing the fruit of the Spirit on our lives (love, joy, peace, etc.) and sharing this gift with others.  If you are free today, congratulations--let's celebrate and be thankful for eternal liberty in Jesus Christ.

However--if you are not living in Godly freedom today, the rights and independence you enjoy as an American are temporary.  You need assurance that you are set for eternity.  Please contact me to talk more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and making sure (really sure) you are saved today.