Spreading the love of Jesus...the Cowboy Way!

Echoes From the Campfire

“One could not yield to the lawless and the ruthless, or soon there would be no freedom. It was among men as it was among nations.”
--Louis L'Amour (The Mountain Valley War)

"Plant your feet firmly therefore within the freedom that Christ has won for us, and do not let yourselves be caught again in the shackles of slavery."
--Galatians 5:1 (Phillips)
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I don't think that John Adams thought he was prophesying regarding the signing of the Declaration of Independence when he wrote to his wife: "I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more." Since that time the night skies throughout the country light up with grand displays of fireworks and often the singing of songs.
It is now a majestic display, but Adams also said this: "You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not--I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means..." It did take blood and sacrifice to secure these free United States and it has taken more to secure it. When people riot they have forgotten that with freedom comes responsibility. And don't think for a moment that the riots on the streets of our cities is the same as proclaiming independence from Great Britain. There is much difference between securing rights and anarchy.
Freedom, how often people get confused with that term. Freedom doesn't mean the right to do what you want--freedom actually means the right to do what you ought. Freedom then is liberty to do what we ought. Freedom means paying a price; it means sacrifice, in other words, freedom doesn't come free. Believers, sincere ones, often get confused over the term "freedom" in the Bible. Jesus said, "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed." (John 8:36, NKJV)
This is not a profound theological study, but I will ask, what are you free from? First of all, you are free from the bonds of the Law. The Law is not to be forgotten, but it is used as a mirror not a taskmaster. Alistar Begg says, “They [ten commandments] do not restrict our freedom but rather give us a blueprint for joy, showing us how life works best.” We are not under the law, but listen to Paul, "What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? Certainly not!" (Romans 6:15, NKJV) I like the way the KJV puts it, "God forbid!" Grace does not give license, it brings freedom from the bondage of the law.
Second, freedom means that we are no longer slaves to sin. Old things are passed away... (2 Corinthians 5:17) Peter states that we have been "purged from the old sins" (2 Peter 1:9). No longer slaves to sin. Sin no longer dominates or controls us for we now belong to the Lord, we have been bought with a price. Whoa, hold on -- bought? Doesn't that indicate that we belong to someone? It is no longer sin, or the world system, or the law...then what is it. Let's look at Paul's explanation, "Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?... And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." (Romans 6:16,18, NKJV)
Freedom brings with it obligation. Without some type of guidance all that remains is anarchy. That's where Satan wants you to be, in the realm of darkness, groping about, no obligations, no obedience, no true freedom. Chaos is not freedom! Paul writes, "But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life." (Romans 6:22, NKJV) We are free from sin--we have freedom--so that we can have eternal life.
Enjoy your liberty as citizens of this wonderful country. Despite its flaws, and there are many, it is still the best country on the face of the earth. Do not take your freedom, your liberty for granted. Enjoy your hotdogs, your apple pie, and the fireworks, but remember those things bring about an obligation. As Christians do not take your freedom lightly either for it was bought with the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Know this, there are obligations that come with freedom, do not neglect them. “The greater our obedience, the greater our freedom, for the more we obey our Creator who told His image-bearers to enjoy being blessed, the more we are living in line with the people we were made to be.” (Begg)