Hidden (Krypto) Treasures

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Tag: Christians and Independence Day

After Freedom, what?

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On July 4, 2014

In Christian, Independence Series

The Fourth of July is a national holiday in the United States of America, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain (now officially known as the United Kingdom).

It has been over 200 years since America has enjoyed this freedom, but imagine for a moment, as to what the state of affairs would be if all Americans choose to allow themselves to be subjects once again to the former rulers. Seems utterly absurd, improbable and impossible, isn’t it? Yet, in our Spiritual lives, we don’t quite find this to be quiet as absurd, improbable or impossible. On the contrary, many who have experienced the freedom that comes by believing in Jesus Christ, have been entangled again by the yoke of slavery to the flesh, which is in conflict with the Spirit of God. Apostle Paul highlights this backsliding in his letter to the churches in Galatia (Galatians 5:1,13).

The word of God assures us of the freedom (liberty) we have in Christ Jesus, while alerting us to not let that freedom make us want to indulge the flesh any longer, and advising us to love serve one another.

Points to ponder:
All who believe in Jesus Christ are free, for the Bible teaches us that “the person whom the Son of God makes free, is free indeed (John 8:36).” But after freedom, what? Let us not revert to the yoke of slavery (of gratifying the desires of the flesh), but let us love and serve one another. After freedom, love and serve one another!

Galatians 5:1, 13 (KJV)
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
…
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.

Independence Series :: From yoking

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On July 5, 2011

In Christian, Independence Series

As Christ Jesus’ followers, we are not to be conformed to the patterns of this world but be transformed by the renewing of our mind, for we are set apart (sanctified) by the Holy Spirit of God (Romans 12:2, 1 peter 1:2). We are expected to be independent of the world, though we inhabit it, even if it is only for a short while, for all those who are friends of this world (system) are enemies of God (James 4:4). So on one hand, we are not to be yoked with the world. On the other hand, Jesus said, that His burden was light and His yoke was easy (Matthew 11:30). This implies that we are to be yoked with Jesus Christ and bear His burden (Matthew 11:29), which is the Salvation of all mankind, for God does not want anyone to perish, but that all must come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

In summary, our independence from the world must result in us being in dependence of Jesus Christ, i.e., our freedom comes from being freed from yoking to the world and from being yoked to Christ.

Matthew 11:28-30 (KJV)
28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

e Pluribus Unum

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On July 3, 2009

In Christian, Independence Series

US SealTomorrow, America celebrates it Independence day and as I thought about the topic to write, I was reminded of ‘e pluribus unum‘, something I learned in my American History class at the University of Oklahoma.  The Latin phrase, ‘e pluribus unum‘ which literally means ‘Out of many, One‘, is found on the United States seal in commemoration of the fact that out of the many (13 original) American colonies, there really was only ‘One United States’.  This was the de facto motto of the United  States until the mid 1900s, when it was replaced by ‘In God We Trust’.

Both mottos of the United States have a lot in parallel to our spiritual heritage as we can find in the Bible. As Christians, we are indeed called ‘Out of Many, to be One’. We may be many, but we are all One – the Body of Jesus Christ. Just as God the Father, Jesus the Son of God and God the Holy Spirit are out of many (3) personalities, One person, One God, so also we are called to be One with Jesus, grafted into the vine (Jesus Christ), irrespective of whether we are gentile or Jew, Indian or American or anything else that defines us. Jesus is the vine (one) and we are the branches (many) and when we remain in the vine, we are One with Him. Our pride and petty differences that separate us from one another should become insignificant when we humble ourselves and forgive one another.

Point(s) to ponder:

Let us Trust in God to rectify relationships that need rectifying, and to give us a heart of humility and compassion (as Jesus had) so that we can truly tell that as Christians (followers of Jesus Christ), we are truly e pluribus unum, Out of Many, One.

Ephesians 4:3-6 (KJV)
4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;|
5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,
6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

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