When I was in elementary school, we began our day by saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
(Francis Bellamy, 1892)
Then we would sing a few verses from this song:
“My country, ’tis of thee, sweet land of liberty, of thee I sing.
Land where my fathers died, land of the pilgrims’ pride,
from every mountainside let freedom ring.
Our fathers’ God, to Thee, author of liberty, to Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright with freedom’s holy light.
Protect us by Thy might, great God, our king.” (America by Samuel Francis Smith)
These words are forever etched in my heart and soul. Our teachers taught us to be patriotic, to love our country.
We recently celebrated Independence Day, the 4th of July. We celebrated the birth of the United States of America. We celebrated becoming an independent nation. We celebrated our freedom from Great Britain and British rule. I am proud to be an American. I am thankful for my heritage.
The Constitution names five freedoms in the First Amendment.
- Freedom of religion.
- Freedom of speech.
- Freedom of the press.
- Freedom of assembly.
- Freedom to petition the government.
If you need a reminder of the price paid for our freedom, visit Arlington Cemetery on Memorial Day. It is a hallowed burial ground, a resting place for American service members. You will see graves of individuals from every U.S. War. It is a reminder of the great sacrifice for our freedom, and it cost many the ultimate price.
As I reflected on these freedoms and the price paid for them, I also began to reflect on my freedom in Christ and the price paid at Calvary. Jesus paid it ALL that I might have eternal life in Christ Jesus. He took my sins upon his back; every stripe they laid upon Him should have been mine. And on the third day, He arose with all power over death, hell, and the grave. When I gave my life to the Lord, I received all these benefits.
- Freedom from sin.
- Freedom from death.
- Freedom from hell.
- Freedom from the grave.
- Freedom from the strongholds of satan.
- Freedom in Christ Jesus.
“Where the Spirit of the Lord is there is freedom.” 2 Corinthians 3:17 KJV
“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36 KJV
“For God so loved the world that He gave his only begotten son that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 KJV
“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” Galatians 5:1 KJV
“Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God the benefit you reap leads to holiness and the result is eternal life.” Romans 6:22 KJV
“Everyone who believes is set free from sin.” Acts 13:39 KJV
“We receive God’s promise of freedom only by believing in Jesus Christ.” Gal. 3:22 KJV
Today, I remember every soldier who gave their lives for my freedoms, and I remember a spotless lamb that gave His life for me, and for you.
Jesus Paid It All
“I hear the Saviour say, “Thy strength indeed is small,
Child of weakness, watch and pray, Find in me thine all in all.”
Lord, now indeed I find, thy power and thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots, and melt the heart of stone.
For nothing good have I where-by thy grace to claim,
I’ll wash my garments white in the blood of Calvary’s Lamb.
And when, before the throne, I stand in Him complete
Jesus died my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat.
Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe.
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.”
(Elvina Hall)
Dana Hill
Lean into Jesus Ministries
#danahillblogs