There has been a lot of blood shed on behalf of America to preserve our freedom. I am glad that we can stop from the daily grind and ponder the brave men and women who have fallen in battle to make our freedom possible.
It is easy to take for granted our freedom as we drive along the freeway in our Fords, sipping on Starbucks while listening to Kelly Clarkson. I know that I often take for granted my freedom I enjoy each day. From the time that I roll out of bed in the morning to the time I place my head on my pillow at night, it barely crosses my mind the price that was paid for my freedom to live in this nation.
There is another freedom that I also take for granted and I enjoy. That freedom is the freedom from the penalty of sin. There was One person, Jesus Christ, who shed His blood for people to wash their sins away (1 John 2:2).
Freedom from the penalty of sin may not seem like that big of a deal to you. Back in the Garden of Eden with Adam and Eve, the first sin is what separated all of us from God (1 Corinthians 15:22, Romans 5:19). God is holy and He cannot be around sin (1 John 1:5). The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). In order for man to be able to stand before a holy God, a sacrifice had to be made (1Peter 2:24). The perfect sacrifice was God’s Son, Jesus (Hebrews 9:28). If you accept the free gift of salvation offered through the blood of Christ, your relationship with God is whole again (Mark 16:16).
The thing with the freedom from the penalty of sin is that once Jesus sets you free, you are free indeed (John 8:36). Being free in Christ sets you free from fear, guilt, heartbreak, loneliness, brokenness, greed. You get the idea. If God is for us, who can be against us? (Romans 8:31).
On this Memorial Day weekend, ponder the lives lost to give you freedom where you live, work and play. However, do not forget to remember daily the one who has given you freedom from the penalty of sin. He deserves your praise and thanks.