FREEEDOM!!!!

    Freedom is what we as Americans always pride ourselves on. We take time to celebrate the freedom of our country from England and we take pride in the fact that we are the Land of the Free. We gather every 4th of July to celebrate with a BBQ, fireworks, some go to see the Liberty Bell, and thousands go and see the Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence in D.C.. I have been blessed to grow up in a part of our country where I can still visit Washington's house at Valley Forge or go see the original American flags that were created by Betsy Ross. Heck I have even put the penny on Ben Franklin's grave! I am blessed to be able to simple drive 25 minutes and be in Colonial Philadelphia (we call it Old City) and see America's birth! We live in a country where we are always discussing what are entailed in our rights and our freedoms. Well today Jesus tells us exactly what will set us free.

"If you remain in my word, you will be my disciples, and you will know the truth,

and the truth will set you free." - John 8:31-42

    Jesus tells us that if we listen to His word we will be able to follow His word, and we will know the truth and this is what is going to bring us true freedom. Now yes, political freedom is great, but being a slave is not the only thought of as a political or demographic statistic anymore. Slavery to sin is very real and our society, not just here in America, is totally at bay to the ways of sin today. Think about how we work as humans today. Our top rated shows on tv are those that involve some kind of sex, drugs, alcohol (all of these in a glorified state: meaning that we put them into a light that is good even when these are abused). We have shows that are always on my tv with my mom because she loves celebrity gossip. We have shows on MTV that tell our teenage girls that if they get pregnant, society will reward them with a tv show and a paycheck. I wont even get into the craziness of Honey Boo Boo or Toddlers in Tiaras. We are in a world that if we do not get what we desire than we cannot live a happy life.

    Our entire world is based off of the idea that I want this, so I am going to get it, and I do not care who I hurt or if I hurt myself, as long as I get this desired object, I am ok with everything. This is horrible! Everything has become an object of pleasure! The worst case is in the issue of sex. We have taken a beautiful gift given to us to share in marriage between a man and woman and have totally redefined what it is supposed to be. We have taken the only means of procreation and turned it into a simple means of pleasure! People there is a theology to sex! There is a part of God in sex! Sex is only here because God made it possible for a man and a woman to fit perfectly together as one being, united in the divine through the graces and blessings of the Holy Marriage! Our society has taken the WORD of GOD in so many different situations and redefined it or have disregarded what we have been told in Scripture because it does not fit our lives.

    Now, yes, the Devil has done a wonderful job working into our little minds and hearts, but he has not totally corrupted everyone due to the simple fact that Jesus has already overcome this sinful artist. Jesus tells us today that you are never stuck in sin! You are never trapped, that there is actually a way out of every sinful fall! Yes, believe it or not, we always have a door or window to get out of sin and that is through listening to Jesus, following Him and knowing the truth of God on all things. Not possible? Well yea we will not know everything perfectly, but this does not mean that Jesus will not send the Holy Spirit to guide you and that Jesus is not standing right there screaming out to you to just put your hand out so He can grab your hand and take you to freedom!

    Jesus is the "William Wallace" of this battle. It seems like those who follow Christ and who are trying their best to fight for freedom are totally up against the wall, but it does not mean that we can not go without a fight. The only difference between Braveheart and real life is that the army with Jesus has already won freedom over the sinfulness of this world and the redefining of truth that is found in this world as well. So the choice is up to you today... You can remain in your life of slavery to sin and redefinition to fit your desires, or you can stand up for your soul, tell the Devil to go to hell, and listen to Christ Jesus and follow Him into the light and the joy of freedom!