Today is Memorial Day in America. It is a day we honor and remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for us. They have given their lives so that we might live in freedom. Their sacrifice gave me the freedom to write this post, to worship the way I chose, to live without fear of the government invading my home, and any other freedom you can think of. In many countries, I would not have this freedom. Some countries say their people have freedom, but their documents must be checked before they can be published. In China, the government requires a church to be registered with them to have public services. There are cameras that monitor their services. Many countries discourage open worship as a Christian. We are so blessed to have the freedoms that we do, but they were not free. Many gave their lives for the freedoms we enjoy. They did not just give their lives, they gave them willingly. For their sacrifice, I will be eternally grateful.
Sacrifice for a cause greater than oneself is always admirable. Many in scripture gave their life for their faith. James was beheaded in Acts 12:1-2 during the persecution of the church. Stephen was stoned in Acts 7:54-60 because he boldly preached the gospel. In Matthew 14:1-12, we read the story of John the Baptist. He was beheaded because he told Herod the truth about his sin. In Revelation 2:12-13, Antipas was killed for his faith. We don’t know much about Antipas, but the scripture tells us he was martyred. There have been many men and women who have given their lives for Christ’s sake. One that is fresh on my mind is Jim Elliot. He, along with four of his missionary friends, was killed on January 8, 1956, while trying to establish contact with the Auca Indians in Ecuador. These men had been working to make friendly contact with the Aucas. They saw this tribe from the air but only had a face to face contact with one tribesman. Their contact had been to do trades from a plane to the ground system. This had gone on for some time when Jim and the others determined it was time to reach out to them. They landed the small plane on a river beach. They were slaughtered by those men who had seen the “big bird” in the sky and waited for them to land. Their death was not in vain. Jim’s wife and other missionary wives made peaceful contact and were able to win this tribe to the Lord.
Many have suffered and given their lives for our freedom, but none have sacrificed as God did. He sent His Son, from a perfect Heaven to sinful earth, for a sinful people. A people that were now his enemy.
He lived and died a perfect life. Never once did He sin in word, or deed. He knew His sacrifice would be the payment needed to make it possible for us to come to God, and be granted eternal life.
John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.”
Because of the sacrifice of Jesus, we now have the freedom to go to God the Father ourselves. We can be free from the penalty of sin, and the bondage it brings with it. John 8:32 explains that when you know the truth, the truth will make you free. You will no longer have the evil passions and corrupt heart that being a slave to sin brings. The condition of a sinner is captivity because he is a slave to his own desires and the one who tempts you and wants to destroy you.
John 8:32 “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Jesus is the Truth and He will set you free forever!
John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”
