Truly Free

This past week we here in America celebrated the 4^th of July, our Independence Day. I will confess that I am not a huge fan of this holiday. I don’t like the noise. It’s unsettling to me, like thunder. I don’t like the fire danger, or the huge numbers of people who engage in unsafe behavior. (I once had a friend who blew a crater in the vacant lot next door to our house. All I could do was shake my head and be grateful that no one was hurt.) I don’t like to spend money on fireworks. It feels like burning money. I feel sorry for all the freaked out pets.

What I am a huge fan of is America. I believe that it is an awesome place to live. Whatever climate you desire can be found someplace here. I love the blue ocean and the beaches of California, the wildlife that abounds in Montana and Alaska, the urban centers of New York City and Chicago, and the mountains of Washington and Oregon. (I am especially partial to the Pacific Northwest, but that’s another blog!) I am proud to live in a place that values freedom, and that is willing to stand up for the rights of people all over the world to live in peace. I am proud to live in a place that is willing to stand up for the oppressed, and that is so generous in giving to those in need.

I am not saying that this is the only awesome place in the world. I’m just saying that even with our problems, our disagreements and our issues, this is still an awesome place to live.

As an American and as a Christian, there are three points I strive to keep in mind:

1. Living here is a blessing, but God blesses in many ways. Don’t confuse being American with being in the center of God’s will. Am I more blessed than the Christian who is undergoing oppression in China? Is my material wealth a measure of God’s pleasure with me? If we measure God’s blessing in physical or material terms, we have missed the true blessing.

Anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Matthew 10:38-39

         2. The ideal of freedom is Godly, but Godly freedom is

different, and not dependent on physical freedom.

If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free. John 8:31-32

         3. I am a Christian, and I am American. I don’t confuse the

         two. They are not synonymous. Nations come and go, but

         salvation is eternal.

Living in America comes with responsibilities. Living as a Christian comes with responsibilities. As an American, I should be involved in how my country is run, and be working to change that which is against our values. I should vote. I should speak loudly. As a Christian, I should be standing up for justice for all people, and I should be living in a way that speaks Christ into every life and situation. Real freedom is living in relationship with Jesus. He is our way, our truth, and our life. We cannot come to the Father except through him.

As you go, preach this message: “The Kingdom of Heaven is near.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.

Freely you have received, freely give.

Matthew 10:7-8

Even as Americans, we are citizens of a different place. We are visitors here. Our true home awaits us. We must be careful not to confuse the two.

Our Year of Jubilee

            God chose a man, Abraham, and told him he would become a great nation.  One son became twelve sons, until at the time of the exodus they have become twelve tribes of over two million people.

“I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt to give you the land of Canaan, and to be your God.”  Lev. 25:38

 As He moved them from Egypt to the Promised Land, He began to make them a nation, a unique people whose very civilization would be marked by His nature.  As He organized this new nation, He established the Year of Jubilee.

            Every 50^th year was to be a year of celebration for the people.  The shofar would blow, and freedom and restoration would follow.  The Year of Jubilee had three main components; all slaves or bondsmen were set free, land was returned to it’s original owner, and the land was given a year of rest.  These ensured that the Israelites remained a separate culture, as these laws were far different from those of the peoples around them.  They ensured that the people would never forget that they were once slaves to Egypt, and reminded them of the nature and provision of God.  The people could not permanently sell the land because it belonged to God.  They could not permanently enslave another human being.  Humans were created in the image of God, and God created us for freedom, as they had learned first hand in Egypt.  For two years their land would be uncultivated (the Sabbath Year and the Year of Jubilee), but it didn’t matter, because God was in control of their well-being.  He would provide.  God had brought them out of Egypt.

            Those of us who have placed our faith in Jesus are living in Jubilee.  Through the work of Jesus on the cross, our debts are forgiven.  We are no longer slaves.  One day the shofar, or trumpet, will sound, and we will be completely restored to living the way we were created to live.  We have put ourselves into God’s hands, and He will provide.

            The challenge today is to live our liberty.  We are no longer slaves to sin, and yet we continue to offer ourselves for bondage. We treat others as our slaves, those who owe us or belong to us in some way, ignoring the image of God that we could see if we looked for it. We are set apart for God, and so should be different from the world around us, reflecting his nature in everything we do. Raising children, folding clothes, interacting with neighbors, loving our spouse, each activity we engage in should be purposeful and intentional, imbued with holiness. We are free to do whatever God asks us to do. We are free to live secure in his love, bathed in grace.

Our freedom is a reality.  The Year of Jubilee is a permanent state of being for us.  It’s up to us to live in joy and freedom, and to reflect the nature of the One we have chosen to be our God.

“If the Son shall make you free, you shall be free indeed.”  John 8:36