Gò0dNews on Freedom
Celebrate Freedom
H
by Danette Reeves
appy Independence Day! We, as the United States
I did not personally know this man, but his words have
of America, celebrate Independence Day on July
stayed with me since. I wrote them in my Bible that day.
4th. It is a celebration of freedom from those who
DeHaan said, “A man is never free to be all he is meant to
would tyrannically rule over us. Even though we see many
be until he is free to be all that God has meant him to be. A
freedoms disappearing, we still have much to celebrate as a
woman is never free to be all she is meant to be until she is
Nation and much about which to pray.
free to be all that God has meant her to be.”
As Christians, we should also be celebrating our freedom in Christ. According to John 3:16, if we are followers of Jesus, we are free from eternal separation from God and Hell. We will not perish. Romans 8:1 tells us that we are free from condemnation. Jesus has set us FREE! 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” We have much to celebrate. Along with freedom comes responsibility. I Peter 2:16 tells us to “Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil.” As Americans over the past century, we know much about cover-ups politically, religiously, and ethically. Voting fraud, human trafficking, slavery, racism, the abuse of power and authority in churches and denominations, as well as politically…the list is not exhaustive, but exhausting. I cannot help but go back to Jesus’ teaching of the Greatest Commandment in Matthew 22:37-39. Jesus said, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” We are taught through scripture that
Our true freedom is in Jesus. Our government cannot
freedom comes from obedience to God. Christians should
change this. Our politicians, denominations, laws, rulers,
be celebrating freedom by obeying these commandments.
jail cells or chains…no one and no thing has the power
What a different world we would live in if we truly loved
to change our freedom in Jesus…not even our greatest
Jesus more than anything or anyone. What would happen if
enemy—death.
we truly loved our neighbor as ourselves? Can you imagine the
As you celebrate and pray for our country's freedom,
sincere concern we would have for each other? Random acts of
live out loud the freedom you have in Jesus. Boldly go
kindness would be rampant. Selfishness would disappear.
before the throne of God and celebrate.
Meeting someone else's need would be at the forefront of As a student at Bryan College in the early 80’s, I remember when Dan DeHaan came to speak in our chapel.
28 // July 2021
About The Author
our thoughts.
Danette Reeves and her husband, Charlie, live in Cleveland, TN. They attend The Church at Grace Point. One of their joys is being Oma and Opa to four grandchildren. Her heart’s desire is to be a student and a teacher of the Word, and a consistent follower of Jesus.
