As you are reading
this, I'm sure many of you are making plans for 4th of July parties
and events. Maybe you'll get the grill fired up, celebrate with
friends and family, or shoot off a few fireworks. It is a great
opportunity to sit back, relax and enjoy the summer sun. Of course,
the 4th of July marks the 232nd year of independence from British
rule. It is time to celebrate our freedom.
We can indeed rejoice in the freedom of being
an American citizen. Yet it is important during this time of rest
and relaxation to remember that freedom isn't free. Far too many
have given the ultimate sacrifices for their country so that we
could be free. One striking reminder of this fact is the Marine
Corps War Memorial (affectionately known as the Iwo Jima statue)
in Arlington National Cementary. It provides a spectacular view
of Washington DC. The monument is dedicated to all the Marines
who have given their lives to this great nation throughout the
years. It is a solemn reminder that freedom isn't free. We proudly
fly our Stars and Stripes because of the sacrifices of these men
and women.
Just as we rejoice in the freedom of being an
American, we can exult in the freedom of being a Christian. The
knowledge that all of our sins are forgiven by the all atoning
death of Jesus Christ upon the cross. Of course, this freedom was
not free. Jesus Christ had to wage spiritual warfare against the
devil. He had to lay down his very life so that we might have freedom
and eternal life. As Paul writes in Galations 3:13, "Christ redeemed
us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." He took
all of our sins upon himself. By his blood, the shackles of death
have been broken. We are no longer captive to the devil. He has
no claim over us anymore. By our baptism, we have been transformed
from life to death, from slavery to freedom.
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Martin Luther wrote about this in his work, On
the Freedom of a Christian. He writes, "A Christian
is free from all things and over all things so that he needs
no works to make him righteous and save him, since faith alone
abundantly confers all these things." Luther also writes, " A
Christian is a perfectly dutiful servant of all, subject to all." As
Christians, we live in the baptismal grace granted to us by Jesus
Christ. He does the salvation. Our consciences need not be burdened
by thinking, 'have I done enough good works?' For Christ has
done it all for us. However, freedom is not license to be slothful
and lazy. The United States would not be where it is today were
it not for the hard working farmers and coal miners and workers
of yesteryear. In the same way, we are called to embody the love
of Christ in service to others. "For you were called to
freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity
for the flesh, but through love serve one another." (Galations
5:13)
As you celebrate the freedom we have as Americans,
give thanks also for the freedom we have in Christ. "We were
buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that,
just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,
we too might walk in newness of life." ( Romans 6:4 )
Vicar Scott Busacker
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