Freedom in Christ

August 14, 2007

By Dorothy Rugg

Last month communities across the United States celebrated the Fourth of July. It’s wonderful to celebrate the birth of America, but today there is a tendency to downplay our country’s founding on godly principles. The media like to ridicule and deny our godly heritage. I believe it’s a tragedy our children are not learning the truth about how our country was founded and our freedom was won. We must never take for granted our God-given freedoms in the United States.

But another tragedy in our country is the rejection of the freedom found through the precious blood of Jesus Christ.

Galatians 5:1 says, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage” (NKJV).

True freedom is found as we surrender our lives to Jesus Christ — and genuine surrender to His lordship in our lives is not an empty form of godliness or pretending to be a Christian. We must let Christ have full reign in our hearts and we must apply the truth of God’s Word to our lives and walk in obedience to that Word.

Christ paid a high price to bring about our reconciliation with our Heavenly Father. May we never take His death and resurrection for granted or treat them lightly. He has given us a very precious and wonderful door of opportunity. Let us walk in and cherish Christ’s freedom.

You might look up and study the following Scripture passages this week: John 8:32-36; Romans 6:18; 8:1-4; 2 Corinthians 3:17; 1 Peter 2:16.

James and Dorothy Rugg pastor Mill City (Pa.) Assembly of God.