This weekend we celebrated the unofficial beginning of summer, Memorial Day. We take time and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We stop and reflect on the freedom that has been given to us because someone gave their life for us. I am reminded of a sign I once saw; “Only two people have volunteered to lay down their life for you, a US veteran and Jesus Christ.” Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

I was talking with a veteran friend the other day and he helped me to understand the three holidays we celebrate to honor those in our military. First is Armed Forces Day, the third Saturday in May to remember all those who are currently serving. Next up is Memorial Day, the last Monday of May to remember those who lost their lives fighting for and defending the freedom we enjoy. Third is Veterans Day, observed on November 11, to remember all who have served. These are significant reminders for us to remember the freedom we enjoy cost someone something.

Freedom Isn’t Free, by Kelly Strong

I watched the flag pass by one day,

It fluttered in the breeze;

A young Marine saluted it,

And then he stood at ease.

I looked at him in uniform,

So young, so tall, so proud;

With hair cut square and eyes alert,

He’d stand out in any crowd.

I thought . . . how many men like him

Had fallen through the years?

How many died on foreign soil?

How many mothers’ tears?

How many pilots’ planes shot down

How many died at sea

How many foxholes were soldiers’ graves

No, Freedom is not Free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,

When everything was still;

I listened to the bugler play,

And felt a sudden chill;

I wondered just how many times

That Taps had meant “Amen”

When a flag had draped a coffin

Of a brother or a friend;

I thought of all the children,

Of the mothers and the wives,

Of fathers, sons and husbands.

With interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard

At the bottom of the sea,

Of unmarked graves in Arlington.

No. Freedom is not Free!

Freedom Isn’t Free was written to recall the memory of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice in the giving of their lives. Their willingness to give secures to this day our freedom; freedom to do what we enjoy, racing.

I was thinking the other day what would this country look like if we weren’t free? Stop and think of all the choices we can make in our life and then think of some of the other nations in the world who don’t have the same option. The difference is freedom. The founders of our country decided to build it on the foundation of God and free will. We have fought for over 200 years to maintain that, not only for us but also for other nations and peoples of the world.

God also gives us the freedom to choose. He makes available for us a life of abundance and freedom. We can choose if we are going to accept that life. Jesus said…

John 10:10; The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

Paul adds in Galations…

Galatians 5:1; It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Jesus came and gave His life as a sacrifice so that we could know the abundant and free life that God has offered us. Not unlike those who have fought and gave their lives for our country’s freedom so that we can enjoy an abundant and free life. For us to experience freedom it cost someone something.

For us to have freedom as a country many men and women paid with their very own lives. They made the ultimate sacrifice for the good of others. They gave their lives. Likewise, Jesus gave His life so that we might have life.

John 3:16-17; “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

Those lives that were given for us secured our freedom. Jesus Christ gave His life for us to save us from death and destruction. Let me ask a question, do you enjoy your freedom as an American? If you do take the time to say thank you to those who have made it possible. Let us pay our respects to those who have laid down their lives.

Let me ask another question, do you want to experience an abundant and free life that only comes from knowing Jesus Christ as your Savior? He gave His life to give you that opportunity; accept it and free yourself from the burden of sin.

Romans 10:9-10; NLT; If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.

Enjoy the holiday weekend, but remember; freedom isn’t free. It cost someone, something. Be grateful there are those who are willing to pay the price for our nation’s freedom. Thank them. Salvation has a cost also; Jesus was willing to lay down His life to secure ours. Receive the gift God offers and the freedom it provides.

Blessings,

Pastor Don