As we consider and thank God for the freedoms that we have in this nation, I wonder what the founding fathers would think of our freedom today. I wonder what the many soldiers who gave their lives in defense of this nation and our freedoms would think. Think about what, you ask? Think about the way we appreciate the freedoms we have and were so hard fought for.

We have freedoms in this country that many only dream of. We are free to believe and worship. Yet even among Christians, few do anymore. We are free to use our bodies as we see fit, yet some see this as a freedom to take innocent life through abortions. We are free to bear arms, yet some see this as an instrument to kill others in hate. We have the freedom of speech and people use it to slander and belittle others. I wonder what they would think about the way we appreciate our freedoms.

We are free to appreciate and build on the freedoms that we have, for the good of ourselves and for the good of others. Listen to what the Apostle Paul said to the Christians in Corinth, Greece. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. 32 Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— 33 even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

The Corinthians were living it up in the Good News of Jesus Christ. They heard and believed that Jesus had lived perfectly for them under God’s Law, that he died on the cross and took away all their sins. They knew they were free; free from the curse of the Law, free from the guilt of their sins. They understood that in Christ they were free to live their lives for God; not to be saved, but because they were saved.

These former polytheistic Greeks now knew that there was but one God. All the pagan gods and what went on in their pagan temples had no bearing on them. One freedom specifically, eating food that had been sacrificed to idols. The marketplace of that polytheistic culture was filled with meats for sale from pagan temples. The Apostle Paul reminded them that they had freedom to eat these foods, because these idols, these false gods, had no real power. But there was a problem. Even though they were free to eat, they might be and were burdening the consciences of their weak brothers and sisters.

So Paul reminds them, “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is beneficial. “Everything is permissible”—but not everything is constructive. 24 Nobody should seek his own good, but the good of others. 1 Corinthians 10:23-24

The question Paul poses to them, “Are you using your freedoms for the good of others?” They were not so Paul encourages them to see that even though they were free in these regards, it wasn’t beneficial to others.

You are free! Free through faith in Jesus Christ! You are free from the burden of the Law. You are free from the guilt of your sin. You are free from the eternal punishment that your sins deserve. All because of Jesus, you are free. Do you appreciate that freedom? Do you build on that freedom? You are free to worship in this great nation. Do so regularly. You are free to speak up about your rights as a Christian and the path God has provided in His Word. Do so in your community and at the voters’ booth. You are free, not to live contrary to God’s will, but out of love and thanks to your Savior, to live according to His Word. And that is what the Apostle meant when he said, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. And for what purpose….so that they (others) may be saved. 1 Corinthians 10:31-33

Living in our Christian freedom is a selfless act. It’s not thinking about ourselves, but first thinking about God and the free salvation he has won for us in Jesus. And because of that, then thinking about others and how our Christian freedom should be appreciated and exhibited for their good. A question that should enter our minds every day is, “Are my words and actions giving glory to God?”

Certainly the Fourth of July holiday is an annual reminder of the freedoms that we have, not so that we can desecrate them or simply ignore them but appreciate them and build upon them for the others who follow us in this great nation. It gives opportunity once again to give glory to God for the blessings that we have in the United States of America, first and foremost, the freedom to worship and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ. But the Apostle Paul also reminds us again of our Christian liberty and to use every moment of our lives to the Glory of God.

Keep Christ First!

Pastor ChrisChristenson

First Lutheran, La Crescent