Vol. 18 No. 26 | July 4, 2016
We value our independence. We are grateful for our independence. We are proud to live in a country where we are free to worship as we please, free to assemble, free to travel wherever we want whenever we want, free to carry a weapon or not carry a weapon, free to dress as we choose, and free to be whoever we decide to be. I recently heard of a woman who thinks she’s furniture. You can do that if you want. I suppose.
On this day, millions of dollars will be spent on fireworks shows, cookouts, picnics, lake outings, and feasts of various kinds all for the purpose of celebrating our independence as a nation. We are proud to be Americans “And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free. And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.”
Hear me when I say, I value my independence. I am grateful for my independence. I am proud to live in a country where I am free to worship as I please, free to assemble, free to travel wherever I want whenever I want. On this day, I will gather with family, enjoy a meal and a day off work to celebrate the independence of our nation. I am proud to be American where I can live a free and independent life, but as we celebrate our independence I read these words from Paul that addresses the importance of living in community with believers of all shapes and sizes in a world that emphasizes and often demands independence.
“For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” (Romans 14:7,8, NIV)
Earlier Paul wrote these words in Romans 12.
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,”[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
As we Americans celebrate our independence may I remind all who are citizens of the Kingdom of God of the interdependent lifestyle of a follower of Jesus. May we never forget that though I am free, as a child of God I am also dependent upon God, upon my brothers and sisters, upon spiritual leaders who watch after my soul, of family members and friends! When my brother hurts, I hurt. When my sister struggles, I struggle. When my neighbor is in need it is my place to help. When one weeps, I weep. When one rejoices, I rejoice. When my friends need me I pray, I go, I help, I serve, I love. “For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone”
Yes, we are free. Thank You, Lord. Let’s use our freedom to live the life God has modeled for us. May we celebrate it and live it with great vigor and enthusiasm!
Tom
A Norvell Note © Copyright 2016. Tom Norvell All Rights Reserved.