The Cost of Freedom

Today, July 4th, we celebrate our nation's independence from Britian. Many places celebrate the day with parades or community picnics. Families have loved ones over for a cookout and watch fireworks as we did. Actually we did it on Saturday evening since Carlisle does it early to save money! We have familiy and friends over for the evening since we can see the fireworks here in Carlisle right from our backyard. We remembered why we were together. We talked about many different things through the evening. The main theme of our discussion was the cost of our freedom. Many today have forgotten the cost for our freedom. "Freedom is not free!"

Too many have forgotten the cost of the freedom they enjoy today. The price of that freedom was not cheap but came at a high price. The price for our freedom was paid for by the blood of those who were willing to sacrifice their lives for that freedom. Many, like myself, served to protect that freedom while others today are giving their full devotion to preserve it. The freedom we have cost us. There is another freedom that not only Americans but all nations can have today. That freedom is the freedom from sin and death. God has made it possible for us to have forgiveness and a relationship with Him. That freedom too was purchased with blood. Jesus came to this world to offer His own life as a sacrifice for sin and pay the penalty for sin. God offers us the freedom because of the sacrifice Christ made for us. This freedom can also be neglected or taken forgranted by us. Many folks take our earthly freedom forgranted but God forbid they do so with their eternal freedom. That freedom is far more precious than what we have here. The freedom from sin is only good if we accept it as the free gift to us that it is.

We need to be careful that we do not allow our freedom to be lost. Freedom is never missed until it is gone. We must be careful to preserve it and not allow it to slip quietly away unaware. It is my belief that we need to start fighting for our freedom and do as those who have sacrificed their lives to keep. Lets stand up as people living in the "Land of the free and the home of the brave!"