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1996-07-04 - Freedom
Romans 1:1 - Paul, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ... Phil
1:1 - Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Jesus Christ... James 1:1 - James,
a bond-servant of God and of Jesus Christ... Titus 1:1 - Paul, a bond-servant
of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ... 2 Peter 1:1 - Simon Peter, a
bond-servant and apostle of Jesus Christ... Galations 6:17 - From now on
let no one cause trouble me, for I bear on my body, the brand marks of Jesus.
It did not dawn on me until early this morning, that I would have the honor
or writing for the 4th of July. I was immediately impressed that the topic
would be on Freedom. But what is freedom?
As we speak, the Russian people, suffering under very difficult economic
circumstances, are voting to stay with Boris Yelstin who is attempting to
shift the monstrous Russian economy from Socialism to Free-Market style.
The task is daunting, and may people around the globe feared a return to
the Socialistic practices of the past, if a new leader was elected. It will
apparently not be the case.
In Philadelphia, former Israeli Prime Minister Peres will be presented the
Liberty Award, the highest award presented by America to honor those working
toward the ends of peace.
Several zillion tons of 'recreational explosives' will be detonated to celebrate
the day 220 years ago when the members of the Continental Congress signed
the then-treasonous, Declaration of Independence and, with the stroke of
the quill, created the United States of America.
We see liberty and freedom as the collection of 'rights' and privileges.
The foundational rights that are supposed to be guaranteed by our government
are enumerated in The Bill of Rights -- document, by human standards, that
stands toe-to-toe with the Magna Carta. But in our current day, the rights
we have been collecting seem to either be eroding away, or being taken to
such ludicrous extremes that one wonders if we will not simply collapse under
our own weight.
How does God see freedom? "Come to Me, all you who are
heavy-burdened, and I will give rest to your souls." A promise to
mankind, never to reject anyone who comes to Him with a contrite heart. The
promise of eternal life with Him, in a place that human words fall short
of, even after John's eyewitness. And a promise, to end war, poverty, hunger
and to wipe away all tears. The cost -- our tattered, ruined lives. Jesus
takes the filthy rags that we live in and gives us His shining eternal garment
of life to wear. We are adopted into His family as His children.
So, why do Paul and Peter and the others call themselves bond-servants? A
bond-servant is a slave who has earned his freedom and returned to his master
willingly to serve him. Likewise, we have been freed from the terrible shackles
of sin and death. Like the freed slave, who was grateful for the kind treatment
of his master, Paul and his fellows express their gratitude by willingly
becoming servants of the Master, and forwarding the cause of Christ. Paul,
who suffered much for the cause, literally bore the marks of his service
on his body.
So in giving up our lives, and our rights, we gain the ultimate freedom.
Freedom from sin and eternal punishment is granted to us. As we grow in this
new life and are able to see a little more clearly the depravity within our
own 'old man', the gift becomes, if possible, more precious. It is the ultimate
inversion of human logic, and the greatest freedom that a human heart will
ever know.
Master, We are grateful beyond words for the provision
on our behalf that You have made, and freely give. In exchange, You ask for
our devastated lives, so that You can give us Yours. We exchange our rights,
for Your service, and become then as free as anyone can be free. The cost
was Your blood, poured out for each soul -- and Your suffering for our sins
-- suffering so much that we can never begin to fathom. You gave up Your
rights to free us. I ask that You help us to be mindful of the freedom granted
to use through Your grace and mercy, especially this 4th of July. Amen.
Grace & Peace,
Mike
jmhoskins@gmail.com
http://www.cfdevotionals.org
http://www.peacewithgod.net
All verses are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted.
CFD | July
1996 | Mike's Devotions |
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