For the 4^th of July I thought this might be appropriate to consider as we celebrate our countries Independence Day. “Stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. “ In this world the system of the world always seeks to put people in bondage to some measure, and the liberty that Christ brought us is tempered often in legalism, Pharisees that hold to the law, and we end up being in a bondage that no man can keep. What does the Bible say: “If ye continue in my word, then ye are my disciple indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” What a powerful verse that is today, where so many are departing from the truth and not teaching the whole counsel of God. Many of the Pharisee’s seemed to be about the outward appearance, while being wicked in their heart. I say that knowing the frailty of man, but it was evidenced when Christ walked before them. They sought to deceive him, but he turned it upon themselves, and exposed their wickedness.

     “I write unto little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.” 1^st John 2:12 God understands how the lack of knowledge effects young one’s in the Lord. When speaking of the love of God he said in 1^st Corinthians 13:9-11, “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part, but when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away. When I was a child, I spake as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things. “ Think on that a bit, For today we see through a glass darkly, but then face to face: now I know in part: but then shall I know even as also I am know.” Wow! So many become arrogant in the faith and if others are not where they are, they are deemed by many to be unrighteous. Righteousness is a gift of grace. All of us have been children of faith at some point and didn’t know all things the way we do today.  Some get in to bondage to the things they know and stop growing in grace and knowledge of the Lord. Yes, the get captured by legal standards that glorify man and not always God.

     John wrote to the little children, then he speaks to the fathers saying in verse 13, “I write unto you, fathers, because ye have know him from the beginning. “ and he says to them in verse 14 the same thing he wrote in verse 13 because a spiritual father continues in the things he hast known and is assured of. He also writes to the young men, because they had overcome the wicked one. And John continues with these powerful words. “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides for ever. “ I close with this. Christ hath set us free so we would not be entangled with yokes of bondage. He speaks to us in love for the great love wherewith He loves us. Receive that love and be free from the bondage of religious endeavor, but walk in the Spirit and fulfill the will of God by the grace of God, leading you in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. God bless you and lets celebrate being set free, on this our countries 4^th of July!