Eccl. 4:9-12
This week we celebrate Independence Day, remembering the birth of our nation almost 250 years ago. It is a day worth remembering as we began the hard work of separating ourselves from a tyrannic ruler and his country. We set in stone the inalienable rights of life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness as the cornerstones of American identity. We also recently celebrated Juneteenth, a holiday that remembers the day when slaves in Texas found out that they were emancipated. Again, freedom is another cornerstone of what it means to be an American. These values are so precious to us as a nation that men and women have willingly offered their lives to protect them repeatedly over the past quarter of a millennia. They are American, but are they Christian?
Independence as a nation makes sense, but too often we apply this to ourselves as well. We want to be independent and don’t need to depend on anyone else. Is that really a Christian concept? I don’t think it is. As Christians we’re entirely dependent on Christ. We are dependent on God for the next beat of our hearts and next breath of our lungs. We are utterly hopeless on our own. We are also dependent on one another. We were created for community. From the beginning God noted that is not good for man to be alone (Gen 2:18). Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 speaks of the benefits of being dependent on one another. I was recently reminded of this when a friend of mine lost a son to suicide. It took me back almost 19 years to the Saturday afternoon when we found out that we had lost our son to suicide as well. The grief was overwhelming to say the least. When Sunday morning arrived, my son Josh and I came to this precious church and found ourselves at the altar weeping and praying. Our church gathered around us, laid hands on us and prayed with us. I have never felt a greater sense of interdependence. As Jesus wrapped his arms around us, He used the hands of so many of you to bring comfort.
Is freedom a Christian concept? I believe it is. Scripture tells us that, when enslaved, we should seek freedom when we can (1 Cor 7:23). When we place our faith in Jesus as our Lord and Savior we are freed from the bondage of sin. That is true freedom. But there is a Christian twist to this freedom. We actually only change masters. Paul often refers to himself as a bondservant (slave) of Christ, and that is what we are when we surrender ourselves to his Lordship. We serve an incredible Master who cares more for us than we often do for ourselves – a Master who surrendered His life for our freedom. There is a place in the Old Testament (Deut. 15:16-17) that allowed a man to refuse redemption in the Year of Jubilee if he loved his master and wanted to serve him for the rest of his life. He took an awl and drove it through his earlobe into the doorpost to signify his lifelong commitment to his master. For us as Christians, that is something we need to do figuratively as well. That is what brings us true freedom.
As you approach this special holiday I hope for lots of fireworks, hot dogs, and time with friends and family. Perhaps as you spend time with friends and family you will reflect on our interdependence. As you see the biggest and brightest of fireworks, you might reflect on the eternal freedom we have in our enslavement to Christ. After all, nations come and go, but our freedom in Christ will last forever.
Blessings,
Pastor Doug