Every year, our family watches fireworks on the 4th of July.

It seems every year during that time as the fireworks are exploding; I find myself thanking God in prayer for the generations of men and women who have given their very lives to provide Americans with the freedom we have.

As we say, “Thank you” to those men and women; I am also reminded of the true freedom we have from God in Christ Jesus.  Jesus gave His very life for our freedom–freedom from sin and death.

Through the cross of Jesus Christ, and our faith in Him as Lord and Savior, we have true freedom from our sins; and true freedom from death.

Freedom from sin is forgiveness–not saying, “you’re ok, I’m ok, we’re all ok” and condoning the things we know from Scripture are not God’s will for our lives.  Sin is sin; and we’re all stuck in it.  True freedom comes from knowing that and understanding that the power of the cross is not condoning sin; but forgiving it.

Freedom from death is knowing that when our earthly life ends, we will enter heaven if we believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Heaven is where all believers will be forever with God.

So, in this lifetime, I’m thankful for the freedom we have in this great country thanks to the generations of men and women who have provided us with this freedom by giving their very lives for it.  Also, in this lifetime, I’m thankful for the freedom that comes from faith in Jesus Christ–from sin and death.

Thank you, American soldiers.  Thank you, Jesus Christ.

Pastor Tim