July 4th!!!
Posted by Zane Raber on Sunday, July 4, 2010
Today we shared in a wonderful celebration with our community called the Earlham Freedom Fest. This has been a tradition for the past several years with festivities, meals, and many other ways to gather together and celebrate the freedom we have living in America. It is truly a blessing to live in a land that still allows freedom of life and religion, however, as I have discovered for myself, there is no greater freedom then that of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." My question is, what yoke of slavery is Paul talking about here? Paul is addressing the new believers that they don't have to change who they are to become followers of Jesus Christ. I say to you, you don't have to change yourself for the approval of someone else. God has created each one of us for a specific and special purpose, Jeremiah 29:11, but we must first seek Him (God) to understand what that purpose is. So if we have been created to do a work for God, why do we want to change ourselves so a certain crowd, or people group, or significant other will like us. That is placing slavery over our very hearts. We as human beings can find freedom, but only in the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! God created us to be free, but it is through the sin in the garden that has caused us this great divide between us and God, so God sent His Son, Jesus, to bind us back together in freedom and unity.
As we all celebrate this July 4th, remember that true freedom comes from our creator, God the Father, through the sacrifice, Jesus Christ, and through the counsel and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord Bless you this season of celebrating our freedom.
Galatians 5:1, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." My question is, what yoke of slavery is Paul talking about here? Paul is addressing the new believers that they don't have to change who they are to become followers of Jesus Christ. I say to you, you don't have to change yourself for the approval of someone else. God has created each one of us for a specific and special purpose, Jeremiah 29:11, but we must first seek Him (God) to understand what that purpose is. So if we have been created to do a work for God, why do we want to change ourselves so a certain crowd, or people group, or significant other will like us. That is placing slavery over our very hearts. We as human beings can find freedom, but only in the saving grace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! God created us to be free, but it is through the sin in the garden that has caused us this great divide between us and God, so God sent His Son, Jesus, to bind us back together in freedom and unity.
As we all celebrate this July 4th, remember that true freedom comes from our creator, God the Father, through the sacrifice, Jesus Christ, and through the counsel and guidance of the Holy Spirit.
May the Lord Bless you this season of celebrating our freedom.
Hello, my name is Zane Raber and I am the Pastor of Earlham Friends Church. I am married to my beautiful wife Sarah and we are the proud parents of Owen Daniel who entered our lives on September 15th, 2010. I enjoy many things, including motorcycles, sports and being with people. But most of all, my greatest desire is to serve God and His Son Jesus Christ who is my Lord and Savior. There is no greater joy than to live a life that is guided by God and by His will for me.
As you read this blog, I pray that the Lord will bless you and help you to seek Jesus Christ in your life, since He is the author and perfecter of our faith.
