FREEDOM--purchased by Jesus!

In the movie "Braveheart", Mel Gibson stars as William Wallace, commoner who led the people of Scotland in their fight for independence from Great Britain.

In one of the more famous scenes in the movie, he urges his fellow Scots into battle, against seemingly insurmountable odds with one word: FREEDOM!

Freedom is one goal, one desire that has united individuals, and groups of people over the entire time of man's existence.

It's also something that we take for granted...and sometimes misuse...when we have it.

It's no secret: In America, we have more freedom (or at least, we did at one time) than any other people on earth.

Have we used that freedom well?

Morally, our thirst for freedom has actually been an expression of rebellion--against ANY standards whatsoever!

It almost seems that ANY standards of ANY kind--other than total individualism, total self-centeredness and total narcissism--is resisted.

Is THIS what freedom is all about?

I don't think so.

I beleive the desire for freedom is God-given. Yet, those who revel in it to suit their own desires actually end up mis-using it--at least, according to God's standards.

God designed us; He knows how this life works best, and it works best when we submit ourselves--willingnly--to Him.

If instead we DEMAND our own way, and DEMAND, like a petulant child, that He give us 'what we want,when we want it', we are on a collision course with reality that will be painful for us...and all who love us!

Freedom does not mean 'the ability to do what I want, when I want to, with no hindrances placed on me from anyone'. Rather, real freedom--which is for our good and others' good--also happens to be...for God's glory.

You've seen the bumper stickers which say "Freedom isn't free", right?

Well, real freedom for us cost the Son of God his life! He had to PAY for our freedom!

"So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son. He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins." (Ephesians 1:6-7)

The Freedom that we were meant and designed to experience is one that is for our good and His glory. We have 'freedom' from sin and death.

"So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death." (Romans 8:1-2)


THAT is real freedom--freedom to be everything God has made us to be!

It is through Jesus' sacrifice--which we note this weekend--that this freedom was made possible.

Let's NOT take it for granted; rather, let's embrace it as it was meant to be, willingly submitting ourselves to God's will.

FREEDOM!

Praise God, it can be ours--in Christ Jesus!

You Never Know What's Going to Hit you!...but you can RISE!

So...I heard on the news that a satellite the size of a schoolbus is headed for Earth in the next day or two.

Might break apart into several 250 pound chunks, plus many small ones...but might not; Might hit over water...over the US...over Michigan...but might not.

So far, I haven't seen 'wall to wall' media coverage, but I've got to assume that this will actually become pretty serious when it starts entering the atmosphere (anyone seen 'Transformers'?)

So, the real question is: What should we DO about this? Should you stay in your basement? Should you wear a helmet all day? Carry an umbrella?

Seriously, I'm sure some people will be pretty concerned about this. Some might even be scared. (Don't get me wrong: If I look up and see a large object hurling toward me in flames, I'm gonna be a bit perplexed...might even run!).

Now, the odds of any specific piece of land getting hit by this stuff is miniscule. The odds against any specific person getting hit is incredibly small...but someone probably will!

...and that brings us to the serious question:

What SHOULD be our strategy for handling impending doom? What SHOULD we do when we think something might cause our death?

Here's a quick thought: Live in such a way as to be 'prepared' for death at any time!

Think about it: the odds of 'space junk' killing you or I is pretty slim...but the odds of us dying (at a time we don't know) is pretty much 100%!

What can we do to be 'prepared' for death?

Give our lives to Jesus Christ and let Him give us Eternal Life...then Live Like It!

Jesus said “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying. Everyone who lives in me and believes in me will never ever die." (John 11:25-26)

That's the secret: We will all experience death, but some of us (by God's grace) will experience eternal LIFE, by faith in Jesus!

So, how about it? You may not get hit by space junk...but you DO need to be prepared for the inevitable. Are you living your own life, ignoring eternity, or are you living with belief in Jesus as your Savior and Lord, following Him to a triumphant end, no matter how it come!