July 08, 2021
Greetings and blessings to all of you. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY! For some of us we are not so delighted in this day. For some of us we do not acknowledge our freedom. We say “that was those people who got their freedom. I didn’t. I am still fighting for mine.” Some of us are still feeling “not so free” in the terms of a career, living situations, gender choice, justice in the criminal justice system, personal respect and voting. But God. He has given us limited freedom. It began in the garden. Long before America declared its independence from Britain. Long before the Pilgrims moved away from the restraints of their religious freedom to settle in America to practice the Christian faith the way God wanted. Adam and Eve were given their rules…. you know… who to follow ....what to do. But Satan whispered in Eve’s ear, “ Did God really say?” Enter in doubt, confusion, and mistrust on what God expected of his creatures. Since this malignant by product occurred it has caused most to fail to follow Christ and His Word. They all (from the beginning century after century) failed to confront individuals with the reality of their sin. The sin of entitlement, selfishness, immoral behavior, pride, greed, hate, racism, sexism, all isms, etc. should have been addressed. God has told us right from wrong. He has told us how to live in this world so we can experience THE TRUE INDEPENDENCE that we seek. It’s the freedom to do what pleases God and not ourselves. If we and the people of the past had acknowledged their sin and embrace Christ the US history would have been different (not perfect) but better than what it has been. Even up to today. You ask, “Why didn’t God stop all this ugliness back in the past? He knew what was going to take place now? The answer is God gives every man on earth (from the beginning of time) A CHOICE. God delivers the sinner from the domain of darkness into the kingdom of light (Col.1:13) but the Word says, “Light has come into the world but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.” Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed.” But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God.” (John 3:19) So, come to Christ and experience TRUE FREEDOM!
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC