FROM THE PULPIT: EXPERIENCE TRUE FREEDOM THROUGH JESUS CHRIST

I saw eagles soaring in the sky. They seemed to float lazily, effortlessly in the clear, bright sky over Zion National Park. As if suspended by invisible cords, the large birds arrested my attention. It looked like the eagles were floating on nothing. Of course, they don't really float on nothing. Eagles and other large birds are adept at catching the rising currents of warm air upon which to soar to great heights.

This Independence Day weekend, the eagles reminded me that our American freedoms are like that. They seem to be self-perpetuating, "floating on nothing," like those eagles.

This idea is also an illusion. Just as the eagles float on very real air, so our freedoms rest on invisible, yet very real supports.

President George Washington referred to "religion and morality" as indispensable supports to our liberties, and to the free American Republic itself.

Without religion (practicing our faith in God) and morality (living our life according to God's commands) our liberties would crumble and our nation weaken. Enough laws could not be enacted to restrain civil behavior and anarchy.

Washington, John Adams, and others among the Founding Fathers realized that the Christian religion, the faith in God and in our Lord Jesus Christ was the true basis of our freedom.

This is not only true politically, but it is true for our own lives. Peter reminds us we are slaves to whatever has mastered us (2 Peter 2:19), and Paul reminds us, "All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) We are much like eagles with broken wings. Can you imagine a bird scaling a cliff without wings? We wear ourselves out in our pursuit of happiness and find ourselves no nearer our goal.

But not to worry! Jesus Christ has come to set us free from sin and death!~ We may have eternal life, and joy and peace right now, in Jesus Christ.

Jesus died for us, taking the penalty for our sins. He gives us the gift of faith--wings with which we may soar over the mountains of cares and worries and difficulties of life. Our faith, though unseen, is very real, and takes us to God himself.

Just as the eagle trusts the air currents to carry him to the heights, so we may trust in God, and the promises of His Word for life, and forgiveness and all that is good. "Seek first the Kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things will be given you as well." (Matthew 6:33) "If you hold to my (Jesus') teaching, you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." (John 8:31-32)

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings as eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:31).

Commit your life to Jesus Christ. Put trust in Him, and experience true freedom, freedom that brings joy and peace.