Nearly 250 years ago this week, our nation declared its independence from England. On July 2nd, the Continental Congress voted to declare independence and on July 4th, they adopted the Declaration of Independence which was the written and formal declaration. It is noted that on July 3rd, John Adams wrote to his wife and told her that July 2 would be celebrated with all the festivities with which we celebrate July 4 with today. As significant and pivotal as those days were, they really weren’t “celebrated” with the same carefree parades and parties that we see today. That’s because this official declaration of our nation’s independence was also a declaration of war. This was a war in defense of the liberties that we hold dear as Americans. The Revolutionary War officially began on April 19, 1775, with the battle of Lexington and Concord, and lasted until September 3, 1783, when the Treaty of Paris was signed and the war officially ended. As we see from the dates, the war had already begun long before we reached these days in 1776. Yes, this declaration was something to be celebrated, but freedom comes at a high price. Unfortunately, death is the price of freedom, and during this eight-year war, approximately 25,000 – 70,000 “Americans” died, and their lives became the payment for our freedom.
Shifting thoughts, I saw a post today that was making the point that Jesus, based on His love, accepts everyone, as they are, with love and open arms. The follow up thought it then posed was that all choices and lifestyles are perfectly acceptable for “His Children,” and anyone who claims to love Jesus should also be accepting of any and all lifestyles no matter what, just as He was. Although this way of thinking is nothing new, it stood out to me as a significant misunderstanding of His love and a blatant “half-truth” used to justify an individual’s chosen actions. So, let’s begin with the truth. Yes, Jesus loves all people, and He did surround Himself here on earth with those who many at that time, both religious and irreligious, would call “sinners” or outcasts. Whether it was the sick and diseased, greedy tax collectors, those who had committed acts of immorality, a bunch of simple fishermen, a thief on the cross next to Him, and even those who crucified Him, yes, Jesus’ love extended to all of them. He graciously welcomed them with open arms and that same welcome is offered to anyone and everyone today.
If His story stopped here, as the post I saw would imply, then its conclusion would be correct, but it doesn’t. The story of His love, that began before the founding of the world, always involved justice, consequence, and payment for sin. Before “eating of the tree” in the Garden of Eden, God told Adam that if he did eat that fruit, then death would be the consequence. After Adam chose to disobey God, death came into this world. First God Himself killed an animal to provide adequate clothing for Adam and Eve. Shortly thereafter, their son Cain killed his brother Abel out of spite and jealousy. Truly sin was breeding death in the earth, but God knew the remedy! A sacrifice was needed as payment for those sins and even the sins that are still being committed today. In time He instituted a sacrificial system to compensate for sin. It was never the blood of the sacrifice that took away those sins, but rather those sacrifices were a demonstration of faith and just a picture representing the One Sacrifice, Whose death would ultimately and completely “atone” for mankind’s sin.
As Jesus walked though this world surrounded by “sinners,” He wasn’t condoning their actions. In fact, He told them to believe in Him first, then change their ways! The thieves were to stop stealing and give it back. The woman caught in adultery was told that He wouldn’t condemn her but instead He forgave her and said, “Go and sin no more.” As He drew crowds of people humble enough to admit that they were sinners, He forgave them, told them to change their ways, and was preparing to provide Himself as the ultimate saving sacrifice. On the cross He became that final, real sacrifice, “The Lamb of God” who came to take away the sins of the world, as John the Baptist said it before Jesus’ baptism. This same John was sent to prepare people for Jesus’ arrival and was proclaiming, “Repent, because the kingdom of heaven is almost here.” True salvation requires the simple faith that admits that I am a sinner; that Jesus, the Son of God, is the only One who can atone for my sin because of His sinless life and sacrificial death; and a willingness to turn from those sins for which He had to die. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians 4:21-32 says it this way, take off the “old man” whose deeds consist of things like: lying, stealing, anger, hurtful speech, bitterness, foul words, slander, etc. because those things grieve the God. After removing the “old man” we are to put on the “new man.” This “new us” is to: tell the truth, not sin with our anger and become bitter, work so that we can share with the needy, be kind, compassionate, and forgiving in the same manner in which we are forgiven by Christ. In I Corinthians 6:9-11 the same Paul explains to the church in Corinth that those who: are sexually immoral with the same or with the opposite sex, worship false gods, steal, are greedy, are drunks, are abusive people, or are swindlers; these types of people “will not inherit God’s Kingdom.” (vs10) BUT verse 11 (CEB) states, “That is what you used to be! But you were washed clean, you were made holy to God, and you were made right with God in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.” So, when the simple repentant faith of a sinner meets the sacrificial love of the Savior, the old man is thrown away and the new man replaces Him!
Wow! What a rabbit trail! Yes, this is the Fourth of July weekend! Nearly two and a half centuries ago brave men and women fought and died for this nation’s independence, and each year we celebrate their heroism and their sacrifice. The “Homeland” that once was a source of comfort and security, in time became an oppressor. Liberties and freedoms began to fade away, BUT the resolve of those “Colonist” made them stand up, fight, and break those chains of servitude forever. Their lives became the necessary sacrifice that paid the price of our freedom! As we as a nation have gained our national independence, we as individuals also need to consider the bondage that sin holds over mankind. Like those in whose debt we celebrate this holiday, Jesus paid the penalty to provide us our spiritual independence. His sacrificial death paved the way for us to throw off the oppression of the “Old Man” with his sinful deeds, and to live the life of the “New Man.” Jesus bought our freedom with His own blood and offers it to us for free. It’s up to each individual to choose who they will serve. Some will remain under the bondage of their sins and think that in them they have true freedom. Others will accept His “Gift of Life” and truly live FREE. Free from the control and captivity of that sinful life which used to oppress them. His love extends to everyone, and all are welcome to come, but a manufactured morality isn’t enough. Jesus’ love doesn’t condone sin; it led Him to die so that He could break sin’s bondage and free us. Pretending to excuse my sin under the flag of His love is to spit in the face of the One Who lay down His life so that I could truly be free. It was all those sins that nailed Him to the cross. His love provides forgiveness, and forgiveness involves repentance, and repentance requires change. Embracing a life marked by sin is choosing to remain in sins oppression despite Jesus having made the ultimate sacrifice. The war is over, and the victory is won, so declare your independence, and live free!
We are blessed.
Hannah Helps 