Hello, all. I can’t believe it is July already. The year has certainly flown by. Since we are here, we might as well celebrate our freedom. We thank our Lord Jesus Christ for crushing the chains that have held us captive. We thank Him for setting us free from sin through His shed blood. (Rev 1:5) His death, burial, and resurrection have given eternal life to and made the crimson stain of sin as white as snow for those who call on Him and ask Him into their heart as their Lord and Savior. He has given us ultimate freedom through His unconditional love and grace. We bring everything to Him at the foot of the cross…and walk in victory and in freedom through the redemptive power of Almighty God. Amen. Now that is an Independence Day message!
I’m sorry. You thought I was talking about our nation’s freedom and the celebration that comes every year on July 4th, didn’t you? We certainly cannot forget that. Nor can we forget those who, throughout our nation’s history, sacrificed, some ultimately, to ensure the freedom we enjoy today as citizens of the greatest country on the face of the earth. The fire, the passion, the power of God that inspired and empowered early warriors…radicals…patriots…who went against the establishment and the chains of tyranny, who held firm to their faith in Almighty God and the belief that all are created equal, and who risked everything to live and to worship as free men, is alive and well. The fuel that has propelled men, heroes from all walks and abilities, throughout history is ready to be ignited in the men of today.
Unlike the Founding Fathers and patriots of the early colonies, we do not live under the tyrannical rule of an evil king. We do, however, live in a world ruled by one who, by the way is as real as King George III, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8), who lies and deceives (John 8:44), and who would like nothing more than for us to remain chained to the sins and destructive ways that keep us from experiencing the freedom that comes with God’s grace and love. “Is life so dear or peace so sweet as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God. I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” — Patrick Henry. There is absolute freedom in the grace given to us through Christ…and the wages of sin is death. (Romans 6:23)
The battles men face on a daily basis and the chains of pride, fear, lust, arrogance, failure, idolatry, and others that men struggle to free themselves from are no different today than they were in the beginning. However, we are reminded of Christ’s sacrifice and that He “…has set us free to live a free life. So take your stand! Never again let anyone put a harness of slavery on you.” (Galatians 5:1, MSG) The plight for freedom throughout history resonates through the words of Scripture, through patriots, and warriors, and is a battle cry for the men of today.
“They tell us Sir, that we are weak — unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed…? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature has placed in our power.” — Patrick Henry
The Truth tells us “We are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” (Romans 8:37, NIV) We know that the fight for freedom has ultimately been won. We march today under that great banner of victory, washed by the blood, armed with the Word, dressed in the armor of righteousness, believing and thanking Christ for what He is going to do. We pray that we will recognize who the enemy is and claim victory as we are ready to face every challenge by Your causative and overcoming power. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Until next month…Keep it real…Keep it vertical…and Armor Up!
Jeff Searcy is a highly energized & radical servant of the Almighty, husband, dad, founder of Servant Warrior Ministries, executive, strategist, speaker, & average golfer. For more information visit www.jeffsearcy.net and www.servantwarriorministries.org.
The above article is from the July 2011 Power Source Magazine and can be found at www.powersourcemagazine.com.
Jeff Searcy 