(In)dependence Day
- Mike "Mutt" Rieck
- Jul 4, 2017
- 2 min read
What will you talk about with your family on the Fourth of July. Ideally we will take at least a moment to thank God for our country: a place where we are painfully aware of differing opinions on how a country should operate, but should also be joyfully aware, however imperfect things are, of the opportunity to openly discuss those differences. We celebrate Independence Day to remember when a group of people declared their independence from a nation that was ruling from a distance without fully connecting to the needs of the citizens.
As you pause to talk about freedom with your family, also talk about the freedom we have through Christ Jesus. Remind each other that every day we need to celebrate Dependence Day, to remember that we are fully dependent for salvation on God who connects with us so closely because He became one of us. He understands the ups and downs of our life because He lived it. We should be joyfully aware, however imperfect we are, that Jesus loves us and has already set us free from Sin by His death and resurrection.
As you enjoy, parades, barbecues and fireworks, may you also enjoy the freedom to share the joy of your faith with your family.
Philippians 2:5-11
5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
6 Who, being in very nature[a] God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; 7 rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature[b] of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
New International Version (NIV)
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