Freedom

Freedom

“And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

John 8:32

 Happy Fourth of July.

On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, announcing the American colonies' separation from Great Britain. On June 21, 1788, the Constitution became the official framework of the government of the United States of America. The Constitution was much in the news last month as the Supreme Court announced several very important decisions regarding the rights and freedoms of American citizens.

I have been blessed to have traveled to many countries in Europe, the Middle East, and Central America. It is always good to come home. A lasting memory I have from two trips to Cuba is when our airplane landed in Cuba, and when the return flight landed in Miami. There were loud cheers and applause when we landed in Cuba as most passengers were returning to their homeland to visit family; there was raucous applause when we landed in Miami. It is so good to be home where we enjoy so many freedoms.

Even so, we are living in changing times. I read last week that Cornell University received one complaint about a bust of Abraham Lincoln and a Gettysburg Address plaque on campus. The university promptly removed both. Such are the times in which we are living. The new cancel culture is not confined to the secular society. More and more Christian churches are compromising their traditions, liturgies, and doctrines to accommodate the world culture. In writing this last sentence, I am specifically mindful of the United Methodist Church where I am an ordained elder.

As I noted last Thursday in my penultimate mediation on First Corinthians, we are living in difficult times, and it is vitally important that all of us be on guard and stand firm in the faith. We need to be courageous and strong, and above all do everything with love. Doing everything with love will separate us from the cancel culture. Being courageous and standing firm for the cause of Christ will place us shoulder to shoulder with that great unseen cloud of witnesses for God.

My Takeaway:

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. (Hebrews 12:1-2a)

Sē’lah

 

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(Selah is a word that appears in the Book of Psalms that I often use as the Complimentary Closing in my correspondence. Its meaning, as I use the word, is to pause and think about these things.)

 

These meditations are written by Alex M. Knight as he seeks the life in Christ as his way of life.  The meditations are published on the BLOG, http://seekingthelifeinchrist.blogspot.com/ and they are also distributed on the Constant Contact email server. You may subscribe to this email service by sending an email to: amkrom812@gmail.com.

 

Copyright © 2022 by Alex M. Knight

 

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.