3:169 – Freedom

#faithbites #faithjourney #juneteenth #900days freedom

Today marks 900 days since I began sharing scripture daily, which later turned into #faithbites. 900 messages of faith. 900 messages of freedom from sin through Jesus.

Speaking of freedom, today is also Juneteenth. This is the day back in 1865, when the news of freedom finally reached the last enslaved African Americans in Texas. This was over two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.

Today we celebrate freedom with our African American brothers and sister. It reminds us of our eternal freedom in Christ and the work we still need to do here on Earth so we can truly love one another.

Scripture

• Galatians 5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
• John 8:32 – And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.
• Isaiah 61:1 – The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Reflection

From before Isaiah through the life and death of Jesus Christ until the end of the age, Freedom is what we all search for. We can’t expect the type of freedom Jesus gives us from our earthly masters. While we no longer have slavery in the United States, we are all at one time or another a slave to sin. We live in this world and are torn by its temptations. From the most noble of us to the “lowest” of us, none are immune.

Christ sets us free. He helps us through his word, his body, and his blood. That gift of freedom lets us help others. We all have different gifts, talents, and abilities. Are we using them to help others be free on earth as well as find everlasting freedom? If we aren’t, why not? What is stopping us from standing up and giving a hand to help someone else rise up? When someone new rises up, no one goes down. Remember, life isn’t a zero-sum game. We can all be forgiven and free in Christ.

I don’t have all of the answers. Even writing this I don’t know if this comes off as a privileged and tone-deaf post. I hope not. If it is, I apologize.

There is much in the world that saddens me. At the same time, on a day like Juneteenth, we can remember that even if it took time for the news of freedom to reach Texas, it did, and then, slavery was gone. It will take all of us to make sure the word of Christ gets to all corners of the earth and all here it.

Challenge

How do you measure your freedom as well as that of others? Are you a champion of Christ’s word? Search your heart and fine out how you can spread freedom both in this life and the next through following Jesus.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for setting us free. I have never known what it means to be a slave and have my life dictated by others. I am privileged in that manner. Not all of your people or your people’s ancestors were so lucky. Help all of your people today and tomorrow to follow your word. Let us be exemplars of what it means to be free from sin on this earth as we get ready for eternal freedom at your side in heaven. In your name, Amen.