Number 116:  July 8, 2007

On the fourth of July, the United States of America celebrates its independence from the tyranny of the motherland. The colonies were tired of being taxed. Too many taxes, even with representation, is not a good thing. The colonist, dressed like Indians, threw boxes of tea into Boston harbor in protest. Seizing the opportunity, the first Starbucks coffee shop opened in Boston the next week transforming this country into a coffee-drinking nation.

One of the purposes of the revolution was that the states thought they could govern themselves far better, with lesser restrictions, than anyone else. They wanted the freedom to handle their own affairs in a way they deemed proper.

There are many lessons to be learned about true liberty, because with liberty comes sacrifices for the common good, decisions that affect more than just yourself, a “we first” attitude. Liberty gives one the power of choice. The opportunity to do as one pleases, freedom from physical restraint. It is the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges. The Son of God has made truer freedoms available.

John 8:31, 32, 36:

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.

We have the liberty through Christ to make a choice on how to live our lives. We have been given true freedom, but we are not to use it for ourselves. He died for us so we can live a life that is pleasing to our heavenly Father. These truths are worth fighting for.

Galatians 5:1:

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

We have the freedom to worship God or the freedom to get entangled in the affairs of this life that causes us to be unfruitful. We decide daily who to serve, who to give our time, our energy and our heart to.

II Timothy 2:4:

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Liberty allows the believer the opportunity to freely choose to worship the true God and to do His will. When we choose His way, we are never disappointed. The power of choice is a very powerful motivator. What are you doing with your liberty? As for me and my house, we choose to serve the Lord.