Freedom

As we approach July 4th our country is aflame with talks of freedom, liberty, and rights.  While we live in a country that allows us to have a say in politics, our hope is not in politicians, laws, or judges.  As Christians, we are part of a greater kingdom.  Our hope is in Christ.  While we can still petition, vote, and voice our opinion on political matters, it is even more important to share the gospel.

Have you found yourself disagreeing with the world around you?  We have fundamentally different starting points and therefore come to different conclusions.  We must continue to be faithful to Christ and His kingdom above all else.  In 2 Thessalonians 1:5-12, we read, "This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering— since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed. To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ."  This should encourage you to continue to be faithful.  Know that Jesus is coming back.  Whatever we face in this life, it is nothing compared to eternity.  However, punishment and condemnation are coming for those who do not believe.  

We are called to go and warn others, calling them to repentance.  Jesus has told us we are to go and preach the gospel.  No one likes to hear that they are a sinner.  People don't like being told they are wrong.  However, if we love them, we must tell them the truth.  We cannot allow someone we love to continue in sin and apart from Christ.  Without Christ, they face eternal condemnation.  Only conviction from the Holy Spirit can change someone's heart and mind.  Our job is to share the truth.  Rather than arguing political points or social issues, we must tell people they are sinners who need to repent.  They need to know that Jesus has come to die for sinners and take their punishment so they may take his righteousness and be reconciled to God.  They must confess their sins and turn to Christ for salvation.  

Not only are we to preach the gospel to those who do not know, but we are also to encourage our brothers and sisters in Christ with the gospel.  The world is all around us and very persistent with its messages of lust, sexual immorality, greed, selfishness, and other such sins.  We need other Christians to help and encourage us as we walk a path that is not as popular.  We need encouragement to continue to honor God, even if it means persecution from the world around us.    If we see another in sin, we should go to them and speak the truth to them in love.  We need to point them back to Christ so they may repent and draw near to God.  

It often seems like an impossible task to live differently from the world.  It can feel like everyone is against you.  It is easy to look at social media, news reports, and the general state of society around us and become discouraged by the celebration of sin.  However, we have found freedom in Christ.  He has set us free from that bondage to sin so that we may go and tell others also.  Be encouraged by Paul's words in Philippians 3:17-21 which says, "Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it, we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself."  We are citizens of a better kingdom, and our king will soon return!