Free Indeed

Then Jesus said... “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free....Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." John 8:31-32, 34-36

We are privileged to live in a country where we are able to profess and practice our faith. We can meet to worship at any time and anywhere that we choose. So many brothers and sisters in Christ all over the world are unable to say that and are literally dying for their beliefs.

I believe in patriotism. I am proud to be an American and I am deeply moved by the men and women who have sacrificed their very lives so that I can live mine in freedom and safety. I am proud to salute our flag and say the words "One nation under God". I teach my children to respect and honor our flag and the ideals on which our country was founded.

But as deeply as I believe in patriotism, it doesn't even come close to the depth of belief that I have in the Word of God and in the promise that I will be victorious through Jesus Christ. As I gather with my family today and we celebrate our personal freedoms and our independence as a country, I will feel doubly blessed as I praise God for my freedom in Christ.

Mine eyes have seen the glory
Of the coming of the Lord;
He is trampling out the vintage
Where the grapes of wrath are stored;
He hath loosed the fateful lightning
Of His terrible swift sword;
His truth is marching on.

I have seen Him in the watchfires
Of a hundred circling camps
They have builded Him an altar
In the evening dews and damps;
I can read His righteous sentence
By the dim and flaring lamps;
His day is marching on.

I have read a fiery gospel writ
In burnished rows of steel:
"As ye deal with My contemners,
So with you My grace shall deal":
Let the Hero born of woman
Crush the serpent with His heel,
Since God is marching on.

He has sounded forth the trumpet
That shall never call retreat;
He is sifting out the hearts of men
Before His judgement seat;
Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer Him;
Be jubilant, my feet;
Our God is marching on.

In the beauty of the lilies
Christ was born across the sea,
With a glory in His bosom
That transfigures you and me;
As He died to make men holy,
Let us die to make men free;
While God is marching on.

Chorus
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! Glory! Hallelujah!
His truth is marching on.

---The Battle Hymn of the Republic

Amen and Amen!