Free to Fight

For Americans, the month of July brings celebrations of freedom.  Two hundred and forty-four years ago, people fed up with paying taxes for tea (and a few more serious issues) claimed independence from a kingdom with which we are now great allies. 

By just a bit, I am short of having lived twenty percent of the full number of years our country is old.  

We are young and still learning.  The past is filled with highs and lows, as I trust, the future will be, also.

While I am glad that in our city, baristas do not charge tax on my chai, I am aware that many more serious issues continue to harm our nation.  While we are all free, many of us are oppressed.  While we fight not with the British, in homes across America wars are fought each day between spouses, children, and neighbors.  

The words claiming that a shared enemy produces friends is often repeated.  Far too often, the friends cannot agree on the identity of the enemy.  Thankfully God speaks truth into that confusion. 

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Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.  Ephesians 6:10-12 (NIV)

I do not believe that America is any more "God's country" than is any other nation.  God so loved the world.  However, I do believe that the true enemy is thrilled when we, as citizens and guests of the USA, fight against one another.  

Christians, we are freed from sin through Jesus and, therefore, we are freed to fight the devil's schemes.

Christians, we are called to love God and our neighbors.  Let's be found faithful doing both.

Let freedom ring.

#ordinarylives