Free for what?

This month our nation celebrated Independence Day on July 4.
Not everyone has a deep understanding of this celebration, but most people get the significance of this day.
We in the United States make clear we live in a land that affords us freedom: free from taxation without representation, freedom to determine our own affairs, freedom to pursue happiness, and a whole host of other freedoms.
We are free FROM a number of oppressive things, but we are also free FOR a great many precious things. We are free FOR the pursuit of liberty and justice for all.
We also have freedoms as believers in Christ. Jesus says in John 8:36, “36So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.”
We are free FROM the consequences of sin, death, and the devil. We are also free FOR serving our Lord, Jesus Christ.
To be free to serve Christ is not a contradiction like some might think. These are precious freedoms we have in Christ; free to hear His Word, free to follow Him, and free to serve Him.
Freedom is a sacred trust we share in this country of ours. Freedom is also a sacred trust we share with Christ. Our freedoms contain many freedoms FROM  a great many things that harm us, but also freedoms FOR a great many things that bring us abundant life, happiness and joy.