A couple times a year our nation turns its focus to those who have sacrificed, and many who have lost their lives in order for the citizens of our country to enjoy liberty and freedom. Many families grieve the loss of loved ones who served our country. For them, I pray that they will be drawn to the Father’s love and that He will comfort them in their grief and loss, and that their memories will sustain them and lend them strength.
We are so very thankful for the sacrifice of many to provide freedom for our country. Scripture affirms that, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). While many have served in the military to offer all citizens of the country freedom, I am even more grateful for the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, for the freedom for ALL, regardless of race, gender, nationality, political persuasion…
No greater sacrifice is there than for a man to lay down his life for another. One man died a painful death in order to offer freedom to all who would believe and accept him. “So if the Son sets you free, you are truly free” (John 8:36).
Jesus wasn’t just talking about freedom in the political sense. He offers freedom from whatever has you chained and enslaves you.
Freedom from addiction.
Freedom from perfection.
Freedom from guilt, shame, and condemnation.
Freedom from depression.
Freedom from competition.
Freedom from striving.
Freedom from worry, fear, and anxiety.
As I ponder that, I realize that the sacrifice was made whether we acknowledge the sacrifice or not. But much like an unopened gift does the recipient no good, we don’t fully appropriate that freedom until we accept Jesus’s gift of sacrifice on the cross and ultimately, salvation.
As we remember the many sacrifices of men and women for us and our country, may we even more gratefully remember the sacrifice of one man for all.
Because of Him, #HopePrevails!
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I love the many different types of freedom you list here, Michelle. We often limit our thoughts on freedom, but you’ve expanded them instead!
Thank you for widening the perspective on freedom. May we all remember the sacrifices of men and women but especially the one Jesus made for us all.
We don’t live in a perfect country, but we have much to be thankful for, including many hard won freedoms. But as you have said so well, the greatest freedom in the one Jesus won for anyone who will believe and accept it. Thanks for the reminder.